What should you do if the child becomes limp during the Heimlich maneuver?

If a child becomes limp during the Heimlich maneuver, it indicates that the child may be losing consciousness or has become unresponsive, which is a critical situation requiring immediate action. In such cases, beginning chest compressions is essential.

Chest compressions are part of the basic life-saving measures in the event that a person goes unresponsive due to an obstructed airway. When a child is limp, the airway could potentially be blocked by an object, and the child may not be breathing properly. Initiating chest compressions not only helps to maintain blood circulation but also can create enough pressure in the chest to help expel a foreign object from the airway if it is causing the obstruction.

This is crucial in saving the child's life as it transitions the situation from responding to a conscious choking incident to managing a potential cardiac arrest scenario, where immediate action is required to restore breathing and circulation.