How do you perform abdominal thrusts on an adult?

To properly perform abdominal thrusts on an adult, it is crucial to stand behind the individual who is choking. You would then create a fist with one hand and position it above the navel, just below the ribcage. The correct technique involves thrusting inward and upward with your hands, which helps to generate pressure in the abdomen that can expel the obstruction from the airway.

This maneuver is effective because it utilizes the pressure buildup in the abdomen to forcefully push up against the diaphragm and expel the item blocking the airway. This method is a critical skill to relieve choking in adults and is endorsed by the American Heart Association as a primary response to severe airway obstruction.

Other methods, such as simply applying pressure to the chest, are not suitable for high pressure like abdominal thrusts, while asking the person to cough or using two hands on the stomach either underutilize the necessary force or may not effectively dislodge the object. Each of these alternatives lacks the specific focus and effectiveness of the inward and upward thrusting motion that defines the abdominal thrust technique.