Dr. Heimlich Uses His Maneuver For The First Time, Saves 87-Year-Old Woman

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: NPR

Henry Heimlich didn't hesitate. When a fellow diner started choking, the 96-year-old was ready to perform the maneuver that he invented. He had never actually used the technique in a real situation.

This all happened Monday at an assisted-living facility in Cincinnati, The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Resident Patty Ris, 87, had swallowed a piece of meat and was struggling to breathe. Perry Gaines, an employee of the Deupree House — who had in fact performed the Heimlich maneuver before — ran toward her table. But Heimlich was already in position.

"Typically, a staff member would do it," the Enquirer reports. " 'But,' Gaines said, pausing, 'it is Dr. Heimlich.' "

Heimlich successfully dislodged the meat from 87-year-old Ris' airway.

Read more: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/05/27/479760854/dr-heimlich-uses-his-maneuver-for-the-first-time-saves-87-year-old-woman

[scscholar]

1. How did he know it would work if he had never tried it?

Sounds irresponsible.

[PJMcK]

2. Perhaps you're misreading the story

When you're taught the proper technique of the Heimlich Maneuver, you're not actually saving someone's life. Someone doesn't actually choke on food while you're shown how to execute the technique. Further, it's designed from the perspectives of physiology and physics. Since the medical knowledge of human anatomy is fairly complete, the understanding of how the technique works is straight forward.

When I first learned the method, we were taught using a medical dummy. That was decades ago and I've never seen someone choking where I would have to use it. It's likely that Dr. Heimlich worked in a hospital or research facility. Since the technique is an emergency first aid method, it's not surprising that he himself would have needed to use it. However, many experiences by lots of others have demonstrated its efficacy so please reconsider your initial reaction.

In any event, happy Memorial Day weekend, scscholar.

[WinkyDink]

5. Your explanation proves one thing: You're a better man than I, Gunga PJMcK.

[PJMcK]

12. A wink to you, WinkyDink (wink) (n/t)

[LisaL]

3. You have got to be kidding.

[WinkyDink]

4. Ummmmmmmmmmmmm..............

[awoke_in_2003]

6. That is great...

although the twisted part of my brain wondered if, in the past, he and Mrs. Heimlich might have called something else a Heimlich Maneuver

[dflprincess]

9. You are twisted

but in a way I can admire.

[awoke_in_2003]

11. Why thank you

I only say because if the life saving one was named after me, I know my pick up line would be "hey- how'd you like to see my maneuver?"

[Odin2005]

7. IIRC he's become a bit of a kook.

I remember hearing a few years back that he thought that intentionally inflecting HIV patients with Malaria would cure them...

[BiminiTwisted]

8. Ironically, Trump called him a choke artist when asked. :)

[DeeDeeNY]

10. Good one!!