In which position should the hand be placed when using the Heimlich Maneuver on an adult?

The Heimlich Maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is used to help a choking adult by applying pressure to the abdomen to expel the obstructing object from the airway. The correct position for the hands is just above the belly button. By placing the hands in this area, the rescuer can effectively exert upward pressure on the diaphragm, which forces air from the lungs and can help dislodge the object causing the obstruction.

This location is ideal because during the maneuver, the thrusts should be directed inward and slightly upward, maximizing the chances of expelling the airway obstruction. Properly positioning the hands just above the belly button ensures that the thrusts are focused on the abdominal area, which is critical for generating the necessary force.

Other positions, such as just above the breastbone, at the center of the chest, or at the top of the rib cage, would not provide the same level of effectiveness. These positions either do not engage the diaphragm adequately or may even compress areas that could cause injury or are not conducive to the upward thrust needed to clear an airway blockage.