Update to Heimlich

A couple weeks ago, one of my co-workers was choking severely at lunch and another co-worker had to give her the Heimlich maneuver.  The piece of food was dislodged along with the other contents of her stomach.  ahem. Anyhow, we were all very proud of our brave co-worker and started asking each other if we knew the correct way to handle a choking.  So I came across this:

http://www.sevendaysvt.com/nc/columns/local-matters-news/2006/red-cross-revises-tips-for-helping-choking-victims.html

Apparently, there are some changes to the procedure.  Well, I guess that's why you have to keep getting re-certified in these things.  Anyhow, now you start with a swift blow to the back (not to be confused with a slap).  Oh, but first you ask, "are you choking?"  If the swift blows don't do it, then you go for the Heimlich.  Only now, they are starting to refer to it as just "abdominal thrusts".  Turns out there's some drama with Dr. Heimlich and his legacy.  He's still around, but his son accuses him of stealing the idea for the maneuver and for calling the back blows, death blows b/c he wanted more use of the Heimlich.  I dunno, it seems that practically anything can turn into a tabloid story....

Copied from myspace blog 11/10/13