Heimlich Maneuver Day

Heimlich Maneuver Day, on June 1, is a holiday in honor of the special technique of saving people from suffocation. This technique is very effective when a person is choking, and an object is stuck in their airway.

History

The Heimlich maneuver involves making sharp thrusts on the abdomen. The pushes are made simultaneously inward and upward, causing the stuck object to come out. The method was invented by Dr. Henry Heimlich. In 1972, he read an article in The New York Times that reported about 3,500 deaths due to suffocation in America annually. This prompted the doctor to develop a method that could save lives. The method had to be simple enough for medical workers and people with no special training to use.

Previously, the only method used for choking was to pat or slap the person on the back. Doctors said this could be dangerous, as it could push the stuck object even deeper. Soon, Dr. Henry Heimlich published his findings and a description of the new technique for rescuing a choking person in the publication Emergency Medicine. The technique was named after him. National Heimlich Maneuver Day was created to spread awareness among the population.

Interesting Facts

What you need to know about the Heimlich maneuver:

• The method should be practiced on a conscious adult.
• If measures aren’t taken in time, death from suffocation may occur within a few minutes.
• Inability to speak and breathe, blue lips, and wheezing are symptoms of suffocation.
• To save a person, perform sharp, strong movements. Make 5 pushes, grabbing the person from behind and squeezing your hands into their abdomen. If the stuck object isn’t displaced, make 5 more pushes. Also, ask someone to call 911 for qualified medical assistance.

How to Take Part

On National Heimlich Maneuver Day, learn this important technique so you can provide first aid to someone in need. Tell your friends, colleagues, and relatives about the Heimlich maneuver, and show them how to use it. Organize a flash mob on social networks and call on as many people as possible to join it.

When is Heimlich Maneuver Day in 2024?

Heimlich Maneuver Day is observed on June 1 each year.

Observations