Editing Choking (section)

==== Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) ====
{{See also|Abdominal thrusts}}[[File:Abdominal thrusts against choking.jpg|thumb|380x380px|Abdominal thrusts anti-choking technique: Embrace the victim's abdomen from behind and then apply strong compressions on the area located between the chest and the belly button.]]
Abdominal thrusts<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Aid Tips |url=https://redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=75052 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203134643/https://redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=75052 |archive-date=2009-02-03 |website=Red Cross}}</ref> are performed with the rescuer embracing the belly of the choking victim from behind. Then, the rescuer closes their own dominant hand, grasps it with the other hand, and presses forcefully with them on the area located between the chest and the belly button of the victim, in a direction of in-and-up. This method tries to create enough pressure upwards to expel the object that obstructs the airway. The strength is not focused directly against the ribs, to avoid breaking them. If the first thrust does not solve the choking, it can be repeated several times.

The use of abdominal thrusts is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age due to risk of causing injury, so there are adaptations for babies (see more details further below), but a child that is too big for the babies' adaptations would require normal abdominal thrusts (according to the size of the body). Besides, abdominal thrusts should not be used when the victim's abdomen presents problems to receive them, such as pregnancy or excessive size; in these cases, chest thrusts are advised (see more details further below).

Although it is a well known method for choking intervention, the Heimlich Maneuver is backed by limited evidence and unclear guidelines. The use of the maneuver has saved many lives but can produce deleterious consequences if not performed correctly. This includes rib fracture, perforation of the jejunum, diaphragmatic herniation, among others.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fearing |first1=Nicole M. |last2=Harrison |first2=Paul B. |date=2002-11-02 |title=Complications of the Heimlich Maneuver: Case Report and Literature Review |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00005373-200211000-00026 |journal=The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care |volume=53 |issue=5 |pages=978–979 |doi=10.1097/00005373-200211000-00026 |issn=0022-5282 |pmid=12435952}}</ref>