96-year-old Heimlich uses namesake maneuver on choking woman

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2014 file photo, Dr. Henry Heimlich describes the maneuver he developed to help clear obstructions from the windpipes of choking victims, while being interviewed at his home in Cincinnati. Heimlich recently used the emergency technique for the first time himself to save a woman choking on food at his senior living center. Heimlich said Thursday, May 26, 2016 that he has demonstrated the well-known maneuver many times through the years but had never before used it on a person who was choking. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribu)

CINCINNATI – The 96-year-old Cincinnati surgeon credited with developing his namesake Heimlich maneuver recently used the emergency technique for the first time himself to save a woman choking on food at his senior living center.

Dr. Henry Heimlich told The Cincinnati Enquirer (http://cin.ci/1U0lAx2) in an interview Thursday he has demonstrated the well-known maneuver many times through the years but had never before used it on a person who was choking.

An employee at the Deupree House in Cincinnati where Heimlich lives says the retired chest surgeon was in the room when an 87-year-old woman began choking. The employee says Heimlich dislodged a piece of hamburger from the woman's airway and she quickly recovered.

Heimlich says it made him appreciate how wonderful it has been "to be able to save all those lives."