Choking: The Heimlich Abdominal Thrust vs Back Blows: An Approach to Measurement of Inertial and Aerodynamic Forces

Abstract

Back blows produce less pressure than the Heimlich maneuvers in seated subjects. In addition, back blows throw the head and neck forward and upward due to straightening the spine. Such blows theoretically can displace supraglottic foreign bodies further downward and backward into the throat or larynx.