With offices located in Cincinnati, Ohio, Heimlich Heroes was developed through a cooperative effort of Deaconess Associations, Inc. and the Heimlich Institute. Supported by the Deaconess Foundation, Heimlich Heroes staff was able to work alongside Dr. Heimlich throughout the creative process. This legacy program continues to teach what he is perhaps best known for—the Heimlich Maneuver®.
Heimlich Heroes is a practical, educational program designed for kids ages seven and older. We use an interactive online lesson approach to learning.
This approach is fun for kids, enables them to gain confidence, and reinforces our training to last a lifetime. Students and adults alike are engaged and energized as they learn this simple life-saving technique. And, once trained, people react confidently during an emergency situation.
Deaconess Hospital is founded as an acute care facility in Cincinnati, OH.
The Heimlich Institute is founded in New York.
The Heimlich Maneuver is developed to save choking victims.
Until that time, people did not recognize the signs of choking. They thought victims were having a heart attack, known as a "Café Coronary".
But Dr. Henry J. Heimlich, a chest surgeon, understood if something were blocking the airway, it could look like a heart attack.
Through his research, Dr. Heimlich discovered that simply pushing in and up under the diaphragm forces air out of the lungs, along with the offending blockage, so the choking victim can breathe again. He dubbed this technique the "sub-diaphragmatic abdominal thrust." The media nick-named this the "Heimlich Maneuver".
Deaconess Associations, Inc. (DAI) is formed from Deaconess Hospital to provide a diversified portfolio of healthcare services.
The Heimlich Institute becomes a member of DAI. The partnership helps advance and promote the mission and vision of the Heimlich Institute—including educational efforts.
Heimlich Heroes™ is created through the cooperative efforts of DAI and the Heimlich Institute. The program teaches the Heimlich Maneuver in both classrooms and afterschool organizations.
Heimlich Heroes is being used in classrooms and after school programs all across America. To date more than 220,000 people have learned the Heimlich Maneuver through Heimlich Heroes training program.
We all know how important this training is. In just a few short years, Heimlich Heroes has trained over 220,000 kids and adults to properly perform the Heimlich Maneuver, with sustainable results:
