Yesterday, an event that could have ended in tragedy hit the news: a two-year-old boy almost died of suffocation by choking on an olive, something that could happen to any of our children, and that fortunately had a happy outcome when practicing a policeman who was passing on a patrol car Heimlich maneuver.
I still don't understand how not giving first aid courses to all parents in health centers, in schools. In these cases, it is essential that we know how to act quickly and with determination. With young children you never know, they can choke on a piece of food, swallow a small toy or put any object through their nose that obstructs the airways. So, What should we do in these cases?
Heimlich maneuver
The Heimlich maneuver It is a practice that is performed in case of choking to expel the piece of food or object that is obstructing the airways.
It is performed on people who are still conscious and consists of compression or abdominal thrusts by placing the fist of one hand below the rib cage and above the navel.
With the other hand on top of the fist, it is necessary to press with a rapid upward movement so that the object that is blocking the airways comes out. If it does not come out, it must continue doing it again and again, getting stronger.
Due to the fragility of babies, in children under one year of age the maneuver is different from that done in older children. Here you have two videos that explain the technique in both cases. And although I hope you do not have to do it, it is very important to know how to react in those moments when panic invades us and every second counts.
