Heimlich Maneuver Day

Heimlich maneuver is one of the most life-saving techniques and it is celebrated every year on the 1st of June.

National Heimlich Maneuver Day celebrates an important method that can help save someone from suffocation. The Heimlich move is basically an abdominal push where you place your fist above the navel of someone who is slightly choking. Then, with your other hand, make a fist and push inward and upward to push the object the person is choking on.

According to the National Safety Council, in 2015, more than 5,000 people died from asphyxiation. Since certified instructors teach the Heimlich Procedure, the American Red Cross and other organizations include training as part of their first aid and CPR courses.

Being trained to use the Heimlich maneuver properly can save a life. The courses also teach you how to identify possible choking, how to give support, and how to properly perform the procedure. However, there are also approaches that are modified for young children. Every person's training means the potential for a life to be saved. While first responders, law enforcement, nurses, doctors, caregivers of the elderly and children and those in high-risk jobs are required to be trained, anyone can be trained. You can make a difference in someone's life by having dinner next to you or even someone you know.

Why National Heimlich Maneuver Day?

The technique we use when we see someone choking is called the Heimlich method. This is a method where abdominal thrusts are used to push air into your lungs for the lungs to breathe. It also helps to expel the choking foreign body. This day is the anniversary of this technique, founded by Dr. Henry Heimlich, who gave the technique its name.

Learn how to use maneuvers properly can help you save someone one day. There are many courses available to help you learn this skill and also to identify the signs of choking so you can help them. This technique is compulsory for doctors, nurses, law enforcement, first aid, child care and aged care workers, and those in high-risk jobs. But there are no restrictions on who may or may not learn this technique.

The importance of this operation cannot be denied and it has proven to be quite successful over the years, saving many lives. The number of lives saved with this maneuver appears to exceed 50000. Since suffocation is a serious concern when the victim loses his or her life within 4 to 6 minutes, it is important to know the proper technique in these situations and that is why it is important to raise awareness about this technique. This is the reason why National Heimlich Maneuver Day is celebrated every year in June.

Interesting facts about National Heimlich Maneuver Day

• Choking is what a person experiences when a foreign body, mainly food, gets stuck in their airway.
• While suffocation can happen anywhere, it's also a fatal one by blocking the amount of oxygen needed by your lungs. This can happen before you begin to understand the happenings around you.
• The main reason for choking is of course food not being chewed well but poor dentures and drinking a lot of alcohol can also be reasons.
• Choking usually begins with coughing, dry vomiting, wheezing, inability to speak, and the victim clutching his throat in the hope of being able to breathe.
• We should slap the back when someone chokes. While it may be slightly helpful, it does not alleviate choking. The Heimlich maneuver is the best way in such situations.

History of National Heimlich Maneuver Day

Not long ago, these life-saving abdominal thrusts were created by Dr. Henry J. Heimlich after he read an article in the New York Times. In 1972, the article stated that more than 3,000 people had died in the United States from asphyxiation. Until then, the common method to relieve a person of choking was to pat them on the back; however, some doctors argue that this could do more harm than good because it could push the foreign body deeper and cause more damage.

This prompted Dr. Heimlich to think of an innovative method to help a choking victim that could be taken by the general public, not just healthcare professionals. He published his unofficial findings through an essay titled 'Pop Goes the Café Coronary' in an edition of "Emergency Medicine" and today this is something we all know to be called Heimlich maneuver.

Over the years, many people have been save thank to the Heimlich maneuver. However, doctors recommend using this method only for people who are awake and that you should call 9-1-1 before you start doing the movement. Surprisingly, Dr. Heimlich used this method on his own at the age of 96 when he saved a woman in his nursing home.

National Heimlich Maneuver Day is important because it can save many lives. In addition, it also kicks off National Safety Month. We can all make a conscious decision to learn more about the method and educate others to prepare for the next time an unfortunate choking situation occurs.

How to celebrate National Heimlich Maneuver Day

• Get certified in first-aid

This National Heimlich Day, why not equip yourself with some lifesaving skills that you can use in emergency situations? Sign yourself up for a local first aid class and get certified.

• Educate others on the Heimlich maneuve

If you have been trained in the Heimlich maneuver or have enough knowledge about it, you can use it to educate your family and friends. By doing so, you can help save lives in the future.

• Apply for the Heimlich maneuver or learn something about it

The Heimlich maneuver is done in a very specific and defined way. You can learn how by asking your local healthcare professional or someone trained in performing the method, or by looking up videos online. Your basic training will be extremely helpful in emergency situations.