Where should the hands be positioned when giving abdominal thrusts to a choking person?

When performing abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, the hands should be positioned just above the navel. This location is crucial because it aligns with the diaphragm, which is a muscle that, when compressed, can help expel air from the lungs and potentially dislodge an obstruction in the airway.

By placing the hands above the navel and below the rib cage, the thrusts can create an upward pressure that effectively pushes against the diaphragm, generating enough force to clear the airway of a foreign object. This technique is designed to be both effective and safe, minimizing the risk of injury while maximizing the chances of dislodging whatever is causing the choking.

The other positions, such as at the center of the chest or beneath the rib cage, would not effectively target the diaphragm, and positioning at the shoulder blades is not relevant to abdominal thrusts, as this technique requires application of force in the abdominal area to help expel the blockage.