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Dr Amir Khan says knowing emergency technique has helped him save a life twice
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Dr Amir Khan says knowing emergency technique has helped him save a life twice It can be as simple as watching an online tutorial video to learn properly Choking causes around 300 deaths every year in England, according to St John Ambulance, with thousands more non-fatal incidents requiring emergency care. Taking a few minutes to learn a life-saving technique could be the difference between life and death in a common emergency. Speaking on his No Appointment Necessary podcast, co-hosted with...
Dr Amir Khan says knowing emergency technique has helped him save a life twice
It can be as simple as watching an online tutorial video to learn properly
Choking causes around 300 deaths every year in England, according to St John Ambulance, with thousands more non-fatal incidents requiring emergency care. Taking a few minutes to learn a life-saving technique could be the difference between life and death in a common emergency.
Speaking on his No Appointment Necessary podcast, co-hosted with Cherry Healy, ITV medic Dr Amir Khan said that knowing the Heimlich manoeuvre has been life-saving. He says it is a simple but effective technique that anyone can learn in a matter of minutes.
He said: "Both times [I've had to do it] it's worked. Choking is one of those things and, if you know how to do [the Heimlich], you can actually properly save a life."
Dr Amir Khan says the skill is worthwhile for everyone to know and does not require heaps of medical training. The NHS GP added that it can be as simple as "watching a YouTube video" to see how the procedure is done.
What is the Heimlich manoeuvre?
The Heimlich manoeuvre is an emergency first-aid procedure used to clear a blocked airway when a person is choking. It pushes on the diaphragm muscle below the lungs, forcing trapped air out of the lungs, which should, in theory, dislodge any food or object stuck in the windpipe.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, you should use the Heimlich manoeuvre if a person is conscious and choking. You can usually tell a person is choking if they can’t speak, breathe or cough.
If a person is able to speak, cough or breathe, don’t attempt the Heimlich manoeuvre. Encourage the person to keep coughing. Sometimes a strong cough can free the foreign object. Only perform the manoeuvre if a person’s life is in danger.
For a written guide on how to deal with choking in adults and babies, click here for NHS-approved advice. Knowing both is vital in an emergency, as the life-saving process varies by age.
What should I do if I am choking and alone?
If you are choking alone, call emergency services immediately and leave the line open so dispatchers can trace your location even if you cannot speak. If you can cough, breathe, or speak, keep coughing forcefully to try to push the object out.
Do not try to flush the object out or down with water; this can further block your airway. If you cannot clear the blockage by coughing, attempt a self-Heimlich:
- Start by making a fist with one hand. Place the thumb side just above your belly button, well below your rib cage.
- Grab your fist with your other hand then push inward and upward.
- Press sharply and quickly into your abdomen with a fast, upward motion.
If you do not have enough strength, lean forward and press your upper abdomen against the edge of a sturdy object, such as the back of a chair or a table. Push your body down hard against the edge to force air up from your lungs. Keep doing these thrusts until the object pops out or help arrives.