Trisha Wagman, age 15, of Laconia, N.H., for her question:

JUST WHAT IS THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER?

The Heimlich maneuver is a first aid procedure used on a person who is choking and cannot breathe or speak. If the object, usually a piece of food, is not removed within four to six minutes, the choking person may die.

To perform the maneuver, stand behind the victim and place your arms around his waist. Then make a fist and place it so that the thumb is against the victim's abdomen, slightly above the navel and below the rib cage.

Grasp your fist with your other hand and press it into the victim's abdomen with a quick upward thrust. This forces air from the victim's lungs and blows the object from the windpipe. Apply the maneuver carefully so that ribs are not broken.

I urge all readers to fully learn the Heimiich maneuver by attending authorized first aid courses.