You might think you know exactly what to do if someone is choking, after many of us have had the Heimlich manoeuvre drummed into us should the worst happen in front of you.

A medical expert has spoken out saying there’s actually a better way we should try instead of the skill many people think of as the gold standard.

The method was first shared with the public back in 1974, so for decades it’s been taught as the best way to help someone out.

The familiar technique involves holding someone from behind, similar to a bear hug, and pulling upwards and inwards sharply in order to try and bring up whatever is causing them to choke.

It turns out that you might be doing more harm than good if you rush to someone’s aid with this skill in mind, as it has been found to cause damage to the ribs and heart.

The Heimlich manoeuvre has also been found to cause tears in the stomach. Ouch.

A medical expert who specializes in what to do when an emergency strikes, Grace Lawson, has now advised what we should be doing instead.

Grace, a lead EMT trainer with St John Ambulance, has a simpler method to try first which might help to dislodge the item that is causing the choking without causing excess damage.

The expert told The Mirror: “Going for back blows first is always a better option to start with and then moving onto abdominal thrusts,