Broadly in the US you would not be liable. There are exceptions such as if help was refused or if you take payment for helping then you can be held liable. And if you do something “grossly negligent” such as breaking an arm for the heimlich then you coulr be liable as well.
I would note that breaking ribs for the Heimlich or CPR is very common if not expected even done properly so even if found liable for other reasons it’d be quite hard for them to be successful at suing you.
I once rescued somebody with the heimlich, and I can’t imagine how I could have broken a rib? I grabbed her below the ribs, pulled hard on the upper belly and the lodged object flew out in an arc.
Many of the people who are more likely to choke are at greater risk. Old people have fragile bones, kids dont leave much room, and fat people can be difficult to assess how hard you’re heimliching. A more stuck morsel can also require greater force. All these factors aside most people err on the side of greater force rather than proper technique.
Broadly in the US you would not be liable. There are exceptions such as if help was refused or if you take payment for helping then you can be held liable. And if you do something “grossly negligent” such as breaking an arm for the heimlich then you coulr be liable as well.
I would note that breaking ribs for the Heimlich or CPR is very common if not expected even done properly so even if found liable for other reasons it’d be quite hard for them to be successful at suing you.
I once rescued somebody with the heimlich, and I can’t imagine how I could have broken a rib? I grabbed her below the ribs, pulled hard on the upper belly and the lodged object flew out in an arc.
Many of the people who are more likely to choke are at greater risk. Old people have fragile bones, kids dont leave much room, and fat people can be difficult to assess how hard you’re heimliching. A more stuck morsel can also require greater force. All these factors aside most people err on the side of greater force rather than proper technique.