The inventor of the Heimlich Maneuver, Dr Henry Heimlich, died on December 17 after suffering a heart attack. He was 96. The doctor invented the life-changing technique – Heimlich Maneuver, after he noticed that most of people around the early 1970s died due to choking. It was in 1972 that he introduced the maneuver, which was adopted by health authorities, airlines and restaurant associations.
After the invention, the maneuver has saved many lives, including those of a number of celebrities. Here is a look at a few celebrities who performed the technique and others who were saved thanks to Heimlich maneuver:
- Clint Eastwood: While attending a golf event in California, in 2014, Clint Eastwood saw the tournament director choking on cheese. The actor immediately performed the maneuver and saved the director's life. Reports suggest that this was the first time he had performed the Heimlich maneuver.
- Justin Timberlake: The Mirror singer, Justin Timberlake joins the list of celebrities who have used Heimlich Maneuver. Timberlake was in news, back in 2004, for having used the technique to save a friend. His friend was choking on peanuts.
- Cher:
While there are celebrities who have performed the procedure on others to help them, there have been a few celebrities who have been victims of choking. A singer choked on a vitamin at the backstage of a Broadway play. She was at the play's rehearsal when the incident took place. She tried to dislodge the choke with bread. But when that did not work, Robert Altman gave her the Heimlich Maneuver. She survived.
- Simon Cowell:
After a piece of mint got stuck in his throat, Simon Cowell began coughing and realised that the piece could be choking him. Quickly realising the turn of events, fellow judge Amanda Holden started patting his back, with the hope of dislodging it. When it failed to help, comedian David Williams sprung into action and performed an emergency Heimlich maneuver.
- Carrie Fisher:
Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher was also one among the many people who owed her life to the Heimlich Maneuver. It was reported that the maneuver was performed on the star by comedian Dan Aykroyd. She was said to have choked on Brussels sprouts. She also survived.
