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

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily • May 22, 2024

The Heimlich maneuver, developed by Dr. Henry J. Heimlich in 1974, has been credited with saving thousands of lives.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2023

He performed the Heimlich maneuver on the woman, twice thrusting his fists into her abdomen before whatever was choking her dislodged.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 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

"Show us how a real champ performs the Heimlich maneuver."

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris