I have been saved by the Heimlich maneuvre after choking on some bread, and recently saved the life of another family member choking on some meat using the same technique. If we had started with back blows, I think the family member would have been unconscious before we had the opportunity to resort to the Heimlich maneuvre, given that my family member didn't raise the alarm until quite a while after the choking started.
Personally, despite the potential for injury that people say the maneuvre has, neither of us were injured, and both were able to breathe after the blockage was removed (it took 2-3 thrusts). I am forever grateful that this technique is so well known. In our life threatening situations, the risk of injury or bruising was well worth it to be able to breathe again.
Personally, despite the potential for injury that people say the maneuvre has, neither of us were injured, and both were able to breathe after the blockage was removed (it took 2-3 thrusts). I am forever grateful that this technique is so well known. In our life threatening situations, the risk of injury or bruising was well worth it to be able to breathe again.