A hero used the Heimlich maneuver to save a child choking on candy. Kudos to the rescuer! 👏👏👏

In Diyarbakir, Turkey, a hero used the Heimlich maneuver to save a child choking on candy. This highlights the importance of first aid knowledge. Kudos to the rescuer! 👏👏👏Show more

Performing the Heimlich maneuver on a child who is choking on candy is a potentially life-saving skill. Here are the steps to follow:

Assess the Situation: Quickly assess the child's condition. If the child is unable to cough forcefully, speak, breathe, or shows signs of distress, they may be choking.

Ask for Consent: If the child is conscious and older than one year, ask for their consent to help. For younger children or if they cannot respond, it's assumed they need assistance.

Position Yourself: Stand or kneel behind the child. Ensure that both of you are stable and have proper balance.

Make a Fist: With one hand, make a fist and place the thumb side against the child's upper abdomen, just above the navel but below the ribcage.

Grasp the Fist: Use your other hand to grasp your fist firmly.

Perform Abdominal Thrusts: Using quick and upward thrusts, apply pressure to the child's abdomen. The goal is to force the air from their lungs to dislodge the object obstructing the airway.

Continue Thrusting: Perform abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled, or the child can breathe, cough, or cry normally.

If Unsuccessful: If the child becomes unconscious or the choking persists, carefully lower them to the ground while shouting for help. Start CPR immediately, checking the mouth for any visible obstructions between cycles of compressions and rescue breaths.

Call for Help: Even if you have managed to dislodge the object, it's essential to seek medical attention immediately to ensure there are no complications or residual issues.

Remember, when performing the Heimlich maneuver on a child, it's crucial to be gentle yet firm, considering the child's size and fragility. Always prioritize safety, and if you are unsure about what to do, seek professional help as quickly as possible. Additionally, it's highly recommended that individuals who regularly care for children, such as parents, caregivers, or childcare providers, receive training in basic first aid and CPR techniques, including choking rescue procedures.