When Do You Use An Abdominal Thrust?

When Do You Use An Abdominal Thrust?

When someone is choking, it is important to immediately help them dislodge the object in the airway. The longer that the object stays lodged in the airway, the more precarious the situation becomes. A lifesaving measure used in these situations is the abdominal thrust which can be used to dislodge the object restore normal breathing.
So what exactly is an abdominal thrust? Abdominal thrusts are a life-saving technique that both bystanders and first responders can use to treat choking victims. An abdominal thrust allows a rescuer to administer a quick but strong thrust to a choking victim’s abdomen to help force the object out of the airway.

What is An Abdominal thrust?

Abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, are a first-aid technique used to treat conscious choking victims in which the rescuer administers thrusts to a patient’s upper abdominal region. This skill is commonly taught during basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) classes, but it never receives as much attention as chest compressions and rescue breaths do.
The abdominal thrust maneuver can be performed in both children and adults via different techniques. The thrusting motion pushes air from the lungs in an upward motions through the throat to dislodge foreign objects and treat upper airway obstructions.
Abdominal thrusts are relatively simple to perform and don’t require any equipment or extensive training. Once you learn the proper technique and abdominal thrust hand placement, anyone can perform them. They’re a quick and accessible way to help a choking victim.
Although there are no absolute contraindications, the abdominal thrust maneuver is not recommended by the AHA for infants or unconscious patients. Also, pregnant subjects should receive management with sternal compressions, as opposed to abdominal.

How To Perform Abdominal thrusts

So how do you perform an abdominal thrust?
To give an abdominal thrust, you should follow the steps below:
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1. First, place yourself behind the individual and wrap your arms around them.
   
2. Place your fist, thumb side in, just above the person’s navel or belly button.
   
3. Next, put your other hand over it and begin delivering abdominal thrusts.
   
4. Squeeze the patient’s abdomen in an upward motion and allow for recoil completely and minimize interruptions between each thrust.
   
5. Finally, perform abdominal thrusts until the object is removed or the individual becomes unconscious.

ABDOMINAL Thrust FAQ's

When should you not use the abdominal thrust?
The abdominal thrust maneuver should not be performed on unconscious patients (who should receive chest compressions) or infants (who should receive backslaps).

Does an abdominal thrust hurt?
Abdominal thrusts can be painful, but that doesn’t mean you should hesitate to deliver them if a patient is choking. The most commonly reported complications are rib fractures and gastric or esophageal perforations. 

Was the Heimlich maneuver replaced with the abdominal thrust?
Yes. The Heimlich maneuver was replaced by abdominal thrusts in the 2006 guidelines by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

How can a rescuer tell the difference between mild airway obstruction and severe airway obstruction?
The rescuer should ask, “Are you choking?” If the victim nods yes, assistance is needed. Choking also often is indicated by the Universal Distress Signal (hands clutching the throat).

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