Parents of young children know all too well that small objects and pieces of food can easily get lodged in the throat. This can cause choking, which closes off the airway. Big kids and adults are also at risk of choking. The Heimlich maneuver is a tool used to help someone who is choking.

This article explains how to tell if someone is choking and how to help them based on their age.

Verywell / Laura Porter

In the early 1970s, Henry J. Heimlich, MD, developed a first aid technique for choking, known as the Heimlich maneuver. Dr. Heimlich developed this tool, also called abdominal thrusts, after reading an article about accidental deaths. He was shocked to learn that choking was a leading cause of death, especially in children under 3 years of age.

He even used his maneuver himself. At age 96, Dr. Heimlich used this technique on a fellow diner at his home, saving the life of an 87-year-old woman who was choking.

According to the American Red Cross, if a person is unable to breathe, cough, speak, or cry, they are likely choking. They may wave their arms above their head or point to their throat to indicate they are choking. They even may start to turn blue from lack of oxygen.

In these instances, timing is everything. Brain damage starts after approximately four minutes without oxygen.

If a person is choking, there a few ways to help them. These techniques depend on the person's age, pregnancy status, and weight.

Performing the Heimlich maneuver has its risks. The performer may accidentally break a rib(s) of the person who is choking.

The National Safety Council provides the following steps to help a person who is choking, if they are still conscious:

This technique is not safe for infants under 1 year old. Instead, place the infant on your forearm or thigh, make sure their head is supported, and hit their back with the palm of your hand until the item is expelled. Seek medical care immediately.

For a responsive pregnant person or person with obesity, give chest thrusts from behind. Avoid squeezing the ribs with your arms. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If you are alone and choking, you can thrust yourself against the back of a chair to expel the object. This works better than trying to perform the thrusting motion on yourself.

If a person appears unable to speak or starts motioning toward their throat, they are likely choking. In these cases, it's crucial to help immediately.

Ways to prevent choking include:

The Heimlich maneuver is a technique used for people who are choking. There are different techniques to use based on age, pregnancy status, and weight. If a person becomes unconscious, perform CPR and have someone call 911 to get immediate medical care.

Choking is an incredibly scary experience, because it happens so suddenly and immediate help is needed. Learning how to perform the Heimlich maneuver correctly can help save a life. After the choking event resolves, be sure to seek medical attention for yourself or the person who was choking.

If the person is unconscious. In this scenario, start CPR immediately and have someone call 911 to get immediate medical attention.

Yes. This technique can save lives, but it has its risks. If a person performs this technique incorrectly, they might break a rib(s) of the person choking. However, this might be a small price to pay for saving a life.

Perform CPR and have someone call 911 at the same time. Timing is everything. A person starts developing brain damage after approximately four minutes without oxygen.