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Re: The Heimlich Manuever
Allen P Sterk (asterk@GENERALFOAM.COM)
Fri, 16 Apr 1999 14:53:26 -0400
The standard of care is always changing in the emergency medical field. In
recent classes for Basic Life Support (CPR) Dr. Heimlich's new teachings are
being taught under American Heart Association standards
Forshaw wrote:
> Abdominal thrusts can cause internal injuries. If a person is not
> breathing, internal injuries are a lesser consequence than death.
> However, as long as a person is breathing, the risk of internal injury
> from improperly performed abdominal thrusts is greater than injury from
> reduced airflow. If I recall my ARC course correctly, that's the reason
> abdominal thrusts should be used by non-medical people only when a
> person's airway is completely blocked.
>
> For drowning victims, abdominal thrusts are used if the airway is not
> open, just as in all rescue breathing. See step 2g on page 295 of the
> new Scout Handbook. In ARC class, one person specifically asked if we
> should do the abdominal thrusts first on drowning victims. We were told
> to do the ABC check (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), just as for any
> other victim.
>
> For asthmatics, ARC recommends that non-medically trained "rescuers"
> call for medical assistance, have the victim sit down, then reassure the
> victim and reduce anxiety.
>
> Over the many years since I was an eager Girl Scout, first aid has
> become much less intrusive. I'm not certain of the reasons why, but
> suspect possible reasons are:
> 1) Keeping techniques simple helps people remember first aid
> 2) The national network of trained paramedics/EMTs has vastly expanded
> and is much closer at hand, and
> 3) Less intrusive first aid was found to be more beneficial to the
> victim. (Remember the old days of tourniquets?)
>
> - Tee
>
> > He mentioned that the manuever should be used in situations
> > of drowning,
> > and that lifeguards know this.
>
> > Dr. Heimlich also suggested use of the manuever in Asthmatic
> > situations.
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