JUST about all of us have experienced choking. While you’re eating and chatting a piece of food suddenly gets stuck in your windpipe.

Usually a slap on the back (common but not actually recommended) will dislodge it but sometimes it doesn’t work.

If the victim can’t breathe you need to act quickly because the brain can’t do without oxygen for long.

With the help of one of three variations of the well-known Heimlich manoeuvre many thousands of people have been saved from choking to death.

The technique can also be adapted so you can apply it to yourself.

We show you how it works – you may never need it but it’s good to be prepared.

Also in the September 2007 issue of Pulse magazine: How to save yourself and your baby's life with Heimlich