Sunday, May 28, 2006
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
A letter to The Enquirer from B. Chris Brewster, the Lifesaving Commissioner for the International Life Saving Federation, urging an immediate retraction for yesterday’s spread on “Pool Safety.
May 27, 2006
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Letters to the Editor
312 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
RE: POOL SAFETY ARTICLE, MAY 27, 2006
It was with utter incredulity that I read your May 27, 2006 article on Pool Safety. In this article, with numerous graphics, you recommended use of the “Heimlich maneuver for drowning.” Indeed, you recommended use of CPR in drowning resuscitation only, “If the victim has not recovered after trying the Heimlich maneuver ...” You include in your list of sources the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Red Cross, and American Heart Association, as well as the Heimlich Foundation.
The Heimlich maneuver for drowning is an internationally discredited and denounced procedure. It has never been accepted or adopted by the CDC, ARC, AHA, or any reputable medical authorities. Internationally accepted standards on drowning resuscitation, recently published in the AHA journal Circulation (December 13, 2005) state, in part, as follows:
“Attempts to remove water from the breathing passages by any means other than suction (e.g. abdominal thrusts or the Heimlich maneuver) are unnecessary and potentially dangerous. The routine use of abdominal thrusts or the Heimlich maneuver for drowning victims is not recommended.”
Dr. Henry Heimlich has relentlessly promoted use of the Heimlich maneuver for drowning despite complete rejection of its efficacy and, in fact, safety, by the medical community. I view this as seriously reckless and negligent behavior on his part, but the damage is greatly exacerbated when trusted media sources imply efficacy of the procedure and, in fact, encourage its use in place of accepted resuscitation procedures. I strongly recommend a full and complete retraction in the interest of public safety.
Sincerely,
B. Chris Brewster
Lifesaving Commissioner
International Life Saving Federation
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