Heimlich maneuver

American  

[hahym-lik] / ˈhaɪm lɪk /

noun

1. an emergency rescue procedure for application to someone choking on a foreign object, in which the rescuer places a fist between the victim's lower ribs or upper abdomen from behind and exerts sudden pressure in the form of thrusts of sufficient force to help eject the object from the windpipe.

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Etymology

Origin of Heimlich maneuver

An Americanism first recorded in 1970–75; named after H. J. Heimlich (1920–2016), U.S. physician, who devised it

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Heimlich maneuver

Among those voicing concerns and championing the role of the Heimlich maneuver are the children of the doctor behind it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

Performing abdominal thrusts or the Heimlich maneuver can force the item out of the body.

From Science Daily ● May 22, 2024

In response to an X post revealing that Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, administered the Heimlich maneuver to the Iowa Republican during their weekly lunch, Ms. Ernst thanked Mr. Paul.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 30, 2023

Schilken: So I gotta ask about the New York Post’s Page Six story about you saving a friend’s life with the Heimlich maneuver at a restaurant recently.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2023

I thought I might have to perform the Heimlich maneuver on him, but his son smacked him on the back and he stopped gagging.

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman

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