Celebrate National Heimlich Maneuver Day Every June 1

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June 1 is National Heimlich Maneuver Day, a day to celebrate the life-saving abdominal thrusts called the Heimlich Maneuver.

This procedure helps dislodge objects from a chocking person’s throat. It’s named for its inventor, Dr. Henry J. Heimlich. He came up with it in 1974.

Before that the most common way to try to help people who were choking was to slap them on the back. But Dr. Heimlich and others believed slaps can sometimes cause the object to get more stuck. It all depends on where the object was stuck in the throat.

Over the years, the Heimlich Maneuver has saved tens of thousands of people. The first one just one week after the technique was announced!

Some of the people saved are one’s you’ll probably recognize. The Heimlich Institute’s website lists Former President Ronald Reagan, Goldie Hawn, Walter Matthau and former New York Mayor Ed Koch as beneficiaries of the procedure.

Although we know who created the technique, and we even know some of the people it has saved, we don’t know who created this day.

Dr. Heimlich used the procedure himself only a few times we know of. The final time less than a year before he died, when saw a fellow nursing home resident choking and sprang into action. He died December 17, 2016, but his technique will no doubt continue to save many lives.

 

Does the Heimlich Really Work Better Than Back Slaps?

In recent years there has been some controversy over how well the Heimlich really works. Apparently there are no studies on it or back slaps. And nothing comparing the two.

In 2006 the American Red Cross changed its recommendation for how to help a choking victim. Instead of just the Heimlich, it started recommending calling 911 and then giving 5 back slaps followed by 5 abdominal thrusts.

The Red Cross is using the term “abdominal thrusts” instead of the Heimlich Maneuver. The reason is unclear. We’ve seen sources citing the Red Cross as saying it changed the name to better reflect how it works. But we’ve also seen reports saying Dr. Heimlich refused to let them use his name because he was upset over the changed recommendations.

The only thing that seems clear is that the procedure has saved lives over the years.

We’re not doctors, and we’re certainly not giving you medical advice, but until we see evidence otherwise, we’re going to stick with what has worked for presidents, mayors and actors. That’s the Heimlich Maneuver.

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this lifesaving unofficial holiday.

 

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How to Celebrate National Heimlich Maneuver Day

Obviously if you see someone choking, help. … But you’d do that any day of the year. Right?

At least you would if you know how to do the Heimlich Maneuver.

So do you?

If not, today might be a good day to learn. Or at least to find out where you can get training. The Heimlich maneuver is usually part of a CPR or first aid course.

Although a certified course might give you more confidence in doing it right, you can also find many resources on the internet with videos and illustrations.

• Here’s how to do the procedure on conscious and unconscious adults and on yourself.
• Learn how to save a choking pet here.

 

If you’re more of a visual learner, here’s a video that demonstrates and explains the maneuver clearly:

 

Here’s a video demonstrating how to do it on an infant:

 

If you’re alone, knowing how to do the Heimlich on yourself could save your life:

 

And one more to see how to do it for a cat or small dog:

 

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