# So I performed the Heimlich maneuver today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 7, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370 "2005-06-07T23:08:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/1 "2005-06-07T23:08:28Z")
Okay, so the roast beef was a little tough. I overcooked it because I didn’t put the potatoes on soon enough. Anywho, I was just sitting here tippy-tappying on my computer when I heard a strangled sound from the kitchen where my 10 year old daughter was finishing up her dinner. I hollered, “Are you all right?” and the next thing I know she comes running in, a panicked look on her very red face. She is still making horrible strangling noises. I say, “Okay, turn around.” and I perform a Heimlich thrust, just like I was taught in class. I think it has dislodged the food, but she shakes her head and I see that her face is now turning purple. I do it again. Nothing. Finally, on the third thrust, out popped a big old wad of roast beef onto the carpet. She gulped for air. We hugged. She cried. I cried. The dog came in and he would have cried, but he had to clean up the mess. I got my CPR mask clipped to my key chain all ready and waiting in case someone feels the need to have a heart attack in front of me. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/2 "2005-06-07T23:13:19Z")
Well done. It’s a satisfying feeling being an effective first aider. The Heimlich manoeuvre bit is interesting though. It’s no longer taught in first aid classes in Australia. In fact, the instructors actively warn against using it. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/3 "2005-06-07T23:19:08Z")
Why? Good for you, **PunditLisa**! I bet your daughter will never do that again. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/4 "2005-06-07T23:20:42Z")
Congatulations Lisa - especially for keeping calm and taking the logical course of action. Nice story with a very happy ending. 🙂 Congrats again !!! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/5 "2005-06-07T23:25:57Z")
Wow - how scary, but ultimately heroic and wonderful for you. Great job, Mom. ---
**Author:** ![cabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@cabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cabdude)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/6 "2005-06-07T23:30:27Z")
And good to see the dog was playing it’s part, too. “My master is in trouble!!! Hey, look! A wad of chewed beef!!!” ---
**Author:** ![KJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b2d939/32.png) [@KJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KJ)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/7 "2005-06-07T23:39:55Z")
_::Stands up and applauds for **PunditLisa** ::_ ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/8 "2005-06-07T23:51:45Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > Well done. It’s a satisfying feeling being an effective first aider. The Heimlich manoeuvre bit is interesting though. It’s no longer taught in first aid classes in Australia. In fact, the instructors actively warn against using it. Why? No, make that ‘For the love of God, why?’ :eek: When doing CPR on an elderly person you don’t stress about the ribs broken during chest compressions if the heart has stopped. What could rationally prevent someone from doing the Heimlich when it was so clearly indicated? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/9 "2005-06-07T23:54:55Z")
**Roast Beef of Near Death**. Yay Mom! You gave her the gift of life twice and made the dog very happy! ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/10 "2005-06-08T00:02:41Z")
::applause for you:: About that heart attack…I nearly had it, reading of your ordeal. I can’t imagine. Glad the little pundit is well. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/11 "2005-06-08T00:11:41Z")
You saved a life. You saved _your daughter_. Good on ya!! 😃 I hope this would teach everyone to learn lifesaving skills. 😉 Tripler You go, Mom!! ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/12 "2005-06-08T00:20:40Z")
_standing ovation of one_ Go **PunditLisa**! ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/13 "2005-06-08T00:36:39Z")
**WOOHOO!** **PunditLisa!** Good for you! I just challenged for my CPR renewal last Friday. In case anybody’s wondering, if you have been certified in CPR, you can challenge the class by taking the test and showing proof that you know the basics of Heimlech, chest compressions and rescue breathing. I do that every other year. Next year I will take the CPR class because it never hurts to hear the information. **Cuncator** not to put down Austrailia or anything, but I too am curious to hear the reasons behind not teaching the Heimlech maneuver. Why do instructors warn against it? What do they say to do when someone is choking? Here’s your chance to educate and fight some ignorance. Use it wisely. Can’t y’all just see the dog now. "MMMMMMMMM, partially chewed roast beef! **SCORE!** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/14 "2005-06-08T00:43:16Z")
_after Google pause_ I don’t know if this is the reason why instructors in Australia aren’t teaching it, but A) recent reports say that Dr. Heimlich (the man who invented the maneuver) used false evidence to promote the Heimlich as a life-saving technique ([cite](http://heimlichinstitute.com/)), and B) you can seriously injure somebody if you do the Heimlich wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/15 "2005-06-08T00:45:16Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Why? No, make that ‘For the love of God, why?’ :eek: I re-certified my first aid certificate in January. As I recall, the reasoning given was along the lines of: - it’s a lot harder to do that it appears from the movies and, in fact, when most people try to do it, they don’t do it properly anyway; - it can cause damage (like broken ribs); - it’s almost impossible to do if the first aider is smaller than the choking person; - it’s significantly more efficacious and less harmful than the alternative methods that St John Ambulance and the Red Cross now teach around the world. I think there were a few other reasons too, but I can’t remember them all now. As soon as the instructor said \*\*not \*\* to use the Heimlich manoeuvre I concentrated more on what I should be doing. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/16 "2005-06-08T00:47:40Z")
Sorry. That last reason was reversed and should have read \*\*less \*\* efficacious and \*\*more \*\* harmful. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/17 "2005-06-08T01:06:47Z")
Hmm… a possibility of broken ribs and a chance at surviving, or… not. I’ll take Life for $1000 Alex. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/18 "2005-06-08T01:41:09Z")
Pretty cool! and Well done! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/19 "2005-06-08T03:17:49Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > - it’s significantly more efficacious and less harmful than the alternative methods that St John Ambulance and the Red Cross now teach around the world. …and these alternate methods are? Not to in any way diminish the trauma and grief you felt, but this part: > [@](#): > > She cried. I cried. The dog came in and he would have cried, but he had to clean up the mess. Reminded me of a Simpsons quote: Homer: Lisa cried. Then I cried. Then Maggie laughed…she’s such a little trooper! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370/20 "2005-06-08T03:24:04Z")
Good job eh. So how far did you shoot the wad of slightly used roast beef? How much are you going to use this to guilt trip your daughter when she is a surly teen? Besides giving birth to you I did _save_ your life once. Don’t you give me that look! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-performed-the-heimlich-maneuver-today/307370.md?page=2)