Henry Heimlich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Heimlich
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Heimlich in 2014
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Henry Judah Heimlich
February 3, 1920 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
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| Died | December 17, 2016 (aged 96) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
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| Education | Cornell University (MD) |
| Years active | 1943–2016 |
| Known for | Abdominal thrusts ("Heimlich maneuver") Flutter valve |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Physician and medical researcher |
| Institutions | Deaconess Associations (Heimlich Institute) Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine |
| Awards | Lasker Award (1984) Engineering and Science Hall of Fame (1985) Golden Plate Award of Academy of Achievement (1985) Safety and Health Hall of Fame (1993) |
Henry Judah Heimlich (February 3, 1920 – December 17, 2016) was an American doctor and medical researcher. He is best known for inventing the Heimlich maneuver. This technique uses abdominal thrusts to help someone who is choking. He first described it in 1974.
Heimlich also created other important medical tools. These include the Micro Trach, a portable oxygen system. He also invented the Heimlich Chest Drain Valve, often called a "flutter valve". This valve helps drain blood and air from the chest.
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Early Life and Education
Henry Heimlich was born in Wilmington, Delaware. His family had roots in Hungary and Russia. He finished high school in New Rochelle, New York, in 1937.
He then went to Cornell University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941. At 23, he received his medical degree (MD) from Weill Cornell Medical College in 1943.
Career Highlights
After medical school, Heimlich joined the United States Navy during World War II. He served in China, helping both American and Chinese military members. He also provided medical care to local civilians.
During this time, Heimlich said he developed a new way to treat trachoma. This was a serious eye infection that caused blindness. His method used an antibiotic mixed with shaving cream, which he claimed was very effective.
Heimlich Valve
In 1962, Heimlich invented the chest drainage flutter valve, also known as the Heimlich valve. He received a patent for this device in 1969. This valve helps air and blood leave the chest. This allows a collapsed lung to expand again.
This invention was very important. It was credited with saving the lives of many American soldiers during the Vietnam War.
Heimlich Maneuver
Heimlich first shared his idea for the maneuver in a magazine article in 1974. It was called "Pop Goes the Cafe Coronary." Soon after, a retired restaurant owner used the technique to save a choking person.
Heimlich officially described the method in medical journals in 1975. This included the Journal of the American Medical Association.
For many years, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross gave advice on how to help choking victims. From 1976 to 1985, they suggested trying backblows first. If that didn't work, then rescuers should use the Heimlich maneuver.
After 1985, backblows were removed from the guidelines. For about 20 years, only the Heimlich maneuver was recommended for choking. The National Institutes of Health and the National Safety Council still recommend it for conscious people over one year old.
In 2005, the American Heart Association started calling the procedure "abdominal thrusts." They also said that chest thrusts and back blows could help with choking too.
The American Red Cross changed its advice again in 2005. They went back to a "five and five" method. This means trying five backblows first. If that doesn't clear the airway, then rescuers should use five abdominal thrusts. For unconscious people, they suggested chest thrusts. The term "Heimlich maneuver" was also replaced with "abdominal thrust" in their guidelines.
There were some discussions about using the Heimlich maneuver for drowning victims. However, medical guidelines do not recommend it for drowning. This is because it could be dangerous and cause more problems.
Heimlich said he used his maneuver to save someone for the first time in 2016. He was 96 years old and reportedly saved a fellow resident at his senior living community.
Heimlich believed his maneuver may have saved over 50,000 lives. However, some studies showed that the number of deaths from choking stayed about the same.
Personal Life
On June 4, 1951, Henry Heimlich married Jane Murray. Her father, Arthur Murray, was famous for ballroom dancing. Jane Heimlich was a writer who also supported some alternative medical treatments.
Henry and Jane Heimlich had four children. Their son, Phil Heimlich, was a local official in Cincinnati. Another son, Peter M. Heimlich, is a writer. Their daughter, Janet Heimlich, is also a freelance writer.
Henry Heimlich was a vegetarian. He was also on the advisory board of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in the early 2000s.
His book, Heimlich's Maneuvers: My Seventy Years Of Lifesaving Innovation, was published in 2014.
Death
Henry Heimlich passed away on December 17, 2016. He was 96 years old. His family announced that he died at The Christ Hospital due to complications from a heart attack. He had the heart attack at his home in Hyde Park, Cincinnati, a few days earlier.
See also
In Spanish: Henry Heimlich para niños
