[Paddlewise] Heimlich & CPR

I was at a paddling club meeting recently where the a recent death of a
paddler (on a whitewater river) was being discussed. One of the paddlers
on the trip was at the meeting and told the story of rescue and the
attempt to revive the boater with CPR.
It was quite sobering to hear the story from someone who had been there.

One thing brought up since the accident was trying the Heimlich (sp?)
before beginning CPR. (Done without being behind the victim as with a
regular Heimlich, but rather with the victim laying on his or her back.)
This was described as helping to clear out any water before beginning
CPR.

Several people on the trip where this accident took place were trained
and up to date on rescue skills and CPR, and did everything possible. I
do not mean to second guess what they did. One of them, however,
suggested doing the Heimlich first if we are ever in the same situation,
as it has since been suggested to him from several different sources.

I have had only a basic CPR course and I don't remember this being
discussed (just clearing the airway by sweeping the mouth with your
fingers). I'm sure there are people on this list with more advanced
training. Is using the Heimlich before CPR something included in
rescue/first aid training specific to watersports or wilderness first
aid, etc? Is this something paddlers with CPR training should know?

Frank

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