Heimlichmanvert

Heimlichmanvert is a term used informally to describe a speculative or fictional variant of the Heimlich maneuver that involves turning or inverting the patient to address airway obstruction. It is not recognized as an established medical technique and has little to no presence in formal clinical guidelines or peer-reviewed research.

Etymology and usage origins suggest that the word is a compound of the surname Heimlich, associated with the inventor of the standard Heimlich maneuver, and invert, indicating an inverted or gravity-assisted approach. The concept appears primarily in online discussions and some fictional or alternative-health contexts rather than in mainstream medical literature.

Concept and theoretical basis proponents have attributed to Heimlichmanvert involve positioning or suspending a person in an inverted or partially inverted posture to use gravity as a factor in moving an obstructing object or material from the airway. In such discussions, the idea is described as an alternative to traditional abdominal thrusts or chest compressions. However, no clinical trials or guidelines support this approach, and the descriptions rarely, if ever, provide validated methods or safety assurances.

Medical status and safety considerations: Heimlichmanvert is not endorsed by major medical organizations and is generally regarded as unsupported by evidence. Health professionals warn that inversion-based procedures could increase the risk of injury, aspiration, and other complications, particularly in vulnerable individuals or in non-medical settings. For real airway emergencies, established techniques taught by accredited first aid and emergency-response programs should be followed, and professional medical help should be sought.

See also: Heimlich maneuver, choking, airway obstruction.