holy shit! pretty calm, glad it was chill, but you totally saved their life!!

That was too awkwardly casual of everyone. I would've at least given you a high five!

Thank you for your service

Not all heroes wear capes!

I’m just over here saving my wife’s life on the regular.

Fuck me I was about to question why you see so many choking people 🤣🤣

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_thrusts

See the History section here for some controversies. From what I remember, there is disagreement on whether he asked for the name to be changed or if institutions changed it first

I was taught the same as a part of nurse training - maybe I was given outdated information, I don't know. Bu t of course I was surprised by the article

When giving the back blows, you should have the person bend over first.

You can read the wikipedia about the abdominal thrusts that another comment linked. There's a line in there about heimlich not being 'scientific' in his pushing of the abdominal thrusts and denigration of back blows.

The sources for this are also instructors and doctors, OP listed them. It sounds like this is new research and best prescribes may be in the process of changing if further research bears these findings out.

I recently took a first air course. I was told abdominal thrusts were the first course of action. If the person is obese and you can't get your arms around them, you should try back blows first. You have the person bend over and give them hard palm strikes in the back, not slaps. If you still can't get the obstruction out, the last option is chest compressions, but that's likely to break ribs in the process.

I'm still looking for what to do if I'm alone and something happens.

You can do abdominal thrusts on yourself, or you can use something like the back of a chair or a railing to rest your fists on and use your body weight to basically perform the same action

I’m still looking for what to do if I’m alone and something happens.

How to unchoke yourself if you're dying alone.

It's something I've thought about a bunch and the strategy I've come up with is:

If your breath is blocked, hold your breath at first and stay calm. Trying to breathe in could wedge it farther in. And trying to breathe out will likely move it, but gravity might just drop it back where it was only with less air in your lungs, which you need to help dislodge the obstruction. Panicking will make you more likely to waste your chance at getting it without needing to fall on something and potentially break ribs (or fail and die). You'll probably have to suppress your cough reflex. I've never done this before and have no idea how much conscious control one would have in that moment and I'm also someone who trained myself to be able to suppress coughs (to avoid embarrasing bong hits lol).

Lean forward, the farther the better, to the point where loose food in your throat will just fall out your mouth. Then cough, if you make it also a growl, you can add more force, as you don't want to half-ass this. Your air might still be limited.

You should be able to feel if you're making any progress. If you are, keep at it, if not, switch to the "fall on something to knock the wind out of you" strategy, still keeping your mouth angled down and add a cough as it impacts.

If that fails, make a big ruckus. I've told my daughter that if she starts choking and can't speak to get my attention, knock dishes onto the floor to get my attention. If you're completely alone in your home, throw a pot out your window before running out your front door. Try to be efficient with your time and energy. Dial 911 and hope they send someone and don't assume a prank call or a kid when no one responds.

If you're alone. Call 911 (or your regions equivalent) and wait outside for emergency services. Keep trying to cough while you wait. If you see anyone flag them down but don't go searching for people. I know you're looking for a self heimlich but your safest bet is to keep trying to cough and to wait for emergency services or for other help to come along. Getting the thrust you need to clear your airway, especially while starved for oxygen, is not guaranteed. So if you ever find yourself in that situation call for help. If you start choking and you're a healthy adult you'll have 3 to 5 minutes of consciousness. Use it wisely.