Hollywood movies often show so-called heroes save the day by performing the Heimlich Manoeuvre for choking.

But these people are far from heroes, according to Wollongong paramedic Mark McCarthy.

The Wollongong First Aid chief executive said in Australia administering back blows and chest thrusts was the preferred emergency treatment for foreign body airway obstruction or choking.

Mr McCarthy said although the Heimlich (abdominal thrusts) was very popular in the USA and the movies, the manoeuvre had proven to often cause further damage and in some cases caused the death of the patient.

"Since 1979 it has been reported that there has been 32 incidents where life-threatening complications associated with the use of abdominal thrusts have been reported," he said.

"The Heimlich Manoeuvre can cause fracturing of the ribs, tearing of the diaphragm and rupturing of internal organs.

"Considering the increased frailty of those [aged] between 55-74 the Heimlich would increase the risk of injury in these patients and it has certainly never been endorsed for children and infants."

Henry Judah Heimlich was credited with inventing the procedure in the early 1970s.

Since then the procedure of administering back blows and chest thrusts has been the acceptable method of trying to relieve a foreign body airway obstruction.

Mr McCarthy said Australia was guided by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC), which itself was guided by international consensus.

"As always we at Wollongong First Aid are more than happy to assist in providing current information and more than happy answer any further questions," he said.

Information: wollongongfirstaid.com.au