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Ann Thorac Surg 1975;20:188-195
© 1975 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Articles

Food-Choking and Drowning Deaths Prevented by External Subdiaphragmatic Compression

Physiological Basis

From the Departments of Surgery and Anesthesiology, The Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio.

^* Address reprint requests to Dr. Heimlich, Department of Surgery, The Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229.

Applying subdiaphragmatic compression has been successful in saving victims of food-choking and drowning by expelling the asphyxiating bolus or aspirated water. Sudden elevation of the diaphragm compresses the lungs, which explosively forces air out through the trachea, ejecting the obstructing object. The flow rate, pressure, and volume of air expelled were determined in 10 subjects and found to be substantial, providing confirmation of the effectiveness of the procedure.

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