The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique used to help someone who is choking on food or another object. When something blocks a person's airway, they can't breathe or speak. The Heimlich maneuver uses quick upward thrusts on the choking person's abdomen to force air from their lungs, which can pop the object out like a cork from a bottle.

To perform it, a trained person stands behind the choking person, wraps their arms around their waist, makes a fist with one hand just above their belly button, grabs that fist with the other hand, and gives quick upward thrusts. The sudden pressure creates a burst of air that pushes the object up and out.

The technique is named after Dr. Henry Heimlich, who introduced it in 1974. Before the Heimlich maneuver, choking was a common cause of accidental death. Dr. Heimlich's simple but brilliant technique has saved many lives because ordinary people can learn it and use it in emergencies.

If someone is choking and can't cough, breathe, or speak, they may need the Heimlich maneuver. Learning about the Heimlich maneuver helps people understand what to do in a choking emergency, but in real life you should get help from a trained adult or emergency services right away.