I…don’t get it. This is an old way to help a child that has something stuck in their throat. I mean, the heimlich maneuver was first described in 1974, so I guess this WAS in fact the best technique at the time. Keeping someone from suffocating is kind of important, and this seems like something you can do fast and easy (at least with a relatively small person).
I had no cancer, but know people that did and one thing that came up often is that people tend to distance themselves from them. Not in a mean way, but dealing with special needs is tedious and that is often just a cause to not do certain things. Spending time together (no matter what you end up doing) gives a sense of normalcy and can really push someone to keep fighting. Cancer is a marathon with additional sprints (chemo) on top. Not being alone through all of this is a huge help