Dr. Heimlich dies at 96

Cincinnati -- Dr. Henry Heimlich, the man who invented the Heimlich maneuver for choking victims, has died at the age of 96.

The death occurred early Saturday at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, after he suffered a heart attack earlier in the week, his son Phil said.

Heimlich was director of surgery at Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati in 1974 when he came up with his famous Heimlich maneuver.

The way the Heimlich maneuver is done is: abruptly squeeze the victim's abdomen, just slightly above the belly button. Push in and up with the fist to start a flow of air for the lungs. That flow can push objects out of the windpipe and prevent suffocation.

This famous maneuver is estimated to have save thousands of lives, but nothing could save Dr. Heimlich on Saturday. And yes, they tried that on him too.

Thank you, Dr. Heimlich.


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