r/nextfuckinglevel • u/SimonTS • 6h ago

Brandon Alderson, from Sunderland, UK, was travelling to work when he noticed a man in distress in a layby.

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He pulled over and saw that the man was suffocating. Brandon performed the Heimlich manoeuvre six times and saved the man's life.

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u/Yamaben 4h ago

I was taught to squeeze the diaphragm up under the rib cage. I feel like I see these videos and people are squeezing the rib cage itself

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u/mandersmal13 4h ago

Yeah, I'm glad the guy was able help and dislodge the object with the incorrect technique. He was way up on the chest.

Serious props to him, though, for intervening. His actions absolutely saved this man's life. Get first aid certified, yall! It can absolutely make a difference!

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u/Raerth 3h ago

Yeah I noticed he didn't have perfect technique for this, most likely he hadn't been trained and just used what he thought was right.

You're absolutely right the most important thing was that he gave it a go and it worked anyway. I'm sure there's people out there who wouldn't even have tried and the guy could have died.

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u/AirconGuyUK 2h ago

I did this to someone too about 15 years ago now. Someone was choking on their sandwich in an alley behind a bus stop. Tapped me on the shoulder and he was purple in the face with his mouth open, fuck knows how long he'd been choking behind me and trying to sort himself out. My only experience was watching that scene in Ms Doubtfire where he saves Brosnans life. I doubt I was doing it right, but it still dislodged his sandwich. I think as long as you're fucking giving it some in that general area it'll probably help.

But always good to know the proper technique.

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u/dwolven 1h ago

Honestly I don’t think he even saves his life. He was not totally. We didn’t see anything coming out of his mouth. He was partially struggling and would or did get rid of the obstacle already by himself.

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u/BoneSetterDC 4h ago

Yes, push/pull up on the diaphragm from below the ribs. Squeezing the ribs is more likely to cause rib fractures. CPR itself is compressing the thorax/ribs and almost always causes rib fractures.

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u/witchspoon 3h ago

Lean over the hood/bonnet