Rescue Breathing

Tap to Read ➤ Buzzle Staff

Rescue breathing, also known as artificial respiration, is a life-saving technique used in case of a person whose breathing is severely impaired. This story briefly discusses this technique.

Normal breathing is very essential for survival. Rescue breathing is required in situations where people are subjected to respiratory arrests.

Following are some conditions which can cause respiratory arrest in people, and such people immediately require artificial respiration to save their lives: Suffocation Paralysis Drowning Choking Heart attack Asthma Poisoning Emphysema Lung problems

Methods

Mouth-to-Mask

This is the most desirable methods of all since it minimizes the risk of cross infection. Position yourself at the patient's head Open the patient's airway using either the head tilt-chin lift or the jaw-thrust maneuver. After determining that the patient is not breathing, place the resuscitation mask over the patient's mouth and nose.

Using both the hands, grasp the mask and the patient's jaw. Press down on the mask with your thumbs, as you lift the jaw with your fingers. This will create a good seal on the mask and the face. Breathe into the one-way valve. Give full breaths. Each breath should be just enough to make the chest rise slowly.

Mouth-to-Mouth

Position yourself at the patient's head. Open the patient's airway using either the head tilt-chin lift or the jaw-thrust maneuver. Pinch the patient's nose using the fingers of your hand that is resting on the patient's forehead.

Make a tight seal by placing your mouth over the patient's mouth. Give full breaths. Remove your mouth between breaths to allow the air to come out.

Mouth-to-Nose

Certain complications necessitate breathing through the patient's nose. This is appropriate when you cannot open the patient's mouth, cannot make a good seal around the mouth, or the mouth is severely injured.

The process is similar to mouth-to-mouth process, except that you force the air through the patient's nose as you hold the mouth closed. Position yourself at the patient's head. Open the patient's airway using either the head tilt-chin lift or the jaw-thrust maneuver.

Close the mouth with the hand supporting the jaw and form a seal by pushing the lips together with the thumb. Place your mouth over the patient's nose and blow to inflate the lungs.

While performing any of the rescue breathing methods, ensure that the person's chest rises during each breath. If the chest does not rise, it may be possible due to the following reasons: Blockage in the airway Inadequate amount of air blown into the lungs Leakage of air through the seal around the mouth and/or nose In such a situation, find the exact cause and make corrections.

Rescue breathing should be performed as soon as possible because it is the quickest way to get oxygen into someone who has stopped breathing. Although this technique does not guarantee the survival of a person, it can help keep the person alive until medical help arrives.

Disclaimer : This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.