Breathing Emergencies

1. Breathing Emergencies Chapter 7

2. Breathing Emergencies • There are two types of breathing emergencies: • Respiratory distress • Respiratory arrest • Both conditions are life threatening.

3. Breathing Emergencies(continued • Respiratory distress is a condition in which breathing becomes difficult. • Respiratory arrest occurs when breathing stops. • By recognizing respiratory distress and taking immediate action, you may prevent respiratory arrest.

4. Signals of Respiratory Distress • Tingling in hands and lips • Slow or Rapid Breathing • Wheezing • Sweating • Dizziness

5. Care for Respiratory Distress • CHECK • CALL • CARE for conditions you find. • Loosen any tight clothing. • Provide fresh air. • Interview the victim and any bystanders

6. Causes of Conscious Choking • Trying to swallow large pieces of poorly chewed food. • Drinking alcohol before or during meals. • Wearing dentures. • Eating while talking or laughing, or eating too fast. • Walking, playing or running with food or objects in the mouth.

7. The universal signal of choking

8. Care for Conscious Choking—Adult or Child • If a person cannot cough, breathe or speak, assume the airway is obstructed. • Position yourself behind the victim and deliver cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is removed, they can breathe or becomes unconscious

9. Special Considerations • If a victim is pregnant or too large for you to give abdominal thrusts, give chest thrusts. • If you are alone, you may have to give abdominal thrusts to yourself. This can be done by— • Leaning over a firm object and pressing your abdomen into it. • Making a fist and giving yourself quick, upward thrusts.

10. Care for Conscious Choking—Infant • If an infant cannot breathe, cough or cry, assume the airway is obstructed and perform 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts.