Abstract

The Heimlich manoeuvre is well recognised worldwide as an emergency technique to clear an obstructed airway. The potential for serious injury to the choking victim is also well reported. We report the first case of significant musculoskeletal injury suffered by a rescuer performing the Heimlich manoeuvre. He eventually made a full recovery from his injury. However, we need to be aware of the possibility of injury in the rescuer as well as the rescued.