Where should you place your fist when preparing to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking athlete?

The appropriate placement for your fist when performing the Heimlich maneuver is just above the navel, or the umbilical area, as this allows for effective compression of the diaphragm. When you place your fist in this position and apply upward thrusts, you create the necessary pressure in the abdomen to expel the obstructing object from the airway of a choking individual.

This technique utilizes the abdominal muscles and diaphragm's natural movement to exert pressure on the lungs, forcing air out and potentially dislodging the item causing the choking. It is essential that the thrusts are directed upward and inwards to maximize effectiveness.

The other placement options, like at the base of the sternum or on the chest, would not generate the same level of pressure or the correct mechanics required to relieve the obstruction. Additionally, placing your fist at the middle of the abdomen is not specific enough, as the optimal point is indeed just above the navel for enhancing the thrust’s effectiveness.