Especialidades JA/Primeros auxilios/Asfixiarse
Coughing is the body's natural defense against choking, and it is generally very effective. If the victim is coughing, do not interfere. If the victim stops coughing (or was never coughing in the first place), ask her "are you choking?" If the victim indicates that she is choking, tell her you are going to help her. To do this, you will need to perform the Heimlich Maneuver.
Briefly, a person performing the Heimlich Maneuver uses their hands to exert pressure on the bottom of the diaphragm. This compresses the lungs and exerts pressure on any object lodged in the trachea, hopefully expelling it. This amounts to an artificial cough. (The victim of an obstructed airway, having lost the ability to draw air into the lungs, has lost the ability to cough on their own.)
Aun cuando se realiza correctamente, la maniobra de Heimlich puede lastimar a la persona. La maniobra de Heimlich nunca se debe realizar en alguien que todavía puede toser, respirar o hablar. No debe demostrar o practicar en una persona sana y no ahogándose o asfixiándose.
