ABC's, Unconsciousness, & The Heimlich Maneuver
This page defines the ABC’s along with why they are important. It also looks at how to recognize a person who is unconscious and what to do.
ABC's = Airway, Breathing, Circulation
- The letters ABC stand for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. They are very important because without all three working, a person does not have any chance at survival.
- A = Airway: When
a person is injured it’s important to first always check the person’s airway to
see if the airway is open or closed. Open the airway if it's blocked (see images below). If a neck or back injury is suspected, or if you do not know how the person fell, then only open the airway using the jaw-thrust maneuver. The jaw-thrust maneuver is the safest way to open an airway, and it will prevent any fractures in neck bones from cutting the spinal cord. If only the tongue is blocking the airway, then opening the airway will get the tongue out of the way (although it could take a couple attempts at opening the airway). If the airway is blocked with an object then do the Heimlich Maneuver (see instructions below).
- B = Breathing: Next, check to see if the person is breathing; if yes, then the airway is open. If the person is not breathing, try adjusting the airway using one of the two methods shown below.
- C = Circulation: Circulation can be checked by looking for
the person’s radial or carotid pulse. If you cannot find a pulse on one side, then try the other arm or try finding the carotid pulse (see Pressure Points image for locations on the Controlling Bleeding page). If the person has no pulse and is not breathing, then perform CPR if you know how.
How to Recognize an Unconscious Person
- If the person will not respond to you talking, then tap him on the shoulders. Next, try gently but firmly pinching the earlobe. If he still does not respond by moving or making a noise, then he is unconscious.
- What
to do if someone is unconscious: Check ABC’s and get medical help immediately.
Heimlich Maneuver
If a person has food or an object stuck inside the throat the airway will be blocked until the foreign object or food is removed. A person who starts to choke will still be conscious and will have his or her hands up by the throat to indicate that he or she is choking.
How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver
How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver
- Start by having the person stand up if he or she is sitting in a chair.
- Stand behind the person and place your arms around the person's torso. Make sure that you have a good stance with your feet by placing one foot in front of another (kind of like you would stand if you were about to start running in a race).
- Locate the person's bellybutton. Make a fist with one of your hands and place your other hand over your fist.
- Right above the person's bellybutton is where you will push in and up at the same time. Continue pushing in and up until the object or food is pushed out of the airway.
- Be aware that if the person is standing, he or she may go unconscious while you are performing the Heimlich maneuver. If this happens, the person will start falling. Having a good stance with your feet, one foot in front of the other, should prevent the person from making you fall too. When the person starts to fall backwards, simply start walking backwards while gently allowing the person to fall to the ground (make sure the person's head does not hit the ground hard). If the person simply falls down instead of backward, then gently move the person so he or she is lying on the ground.
- When the person is lying on the ground you can still perform the Heimlich maneuver. Kneel next to the person and use the same method of pushing in and up until the airway is clear.
Scenario
A
guy is walking on a trail in a forest when he spots another campsite. He
notices a person lying on the ground with his eyes closed, and the person is not
moving. The person appears to have fallen down to the ground and is
unconscious. What should you do?
Answer: Check the person's ABC's. If the airway is closed, then open it using the jaw-thrust maneuver. Call 911 and continue to monitor the person's airway, breathing, and circulation while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
Answer: Check the person's ABC's. If the airway is closed, then open it using the jaw-thrust maneuver. Call 911 and continue to monitor the person's airway, breathing, and circulation while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
