Breathing emergencies

Breathing emergencies are a serious problem. Take care of them immediately. The body needs a constant supply of oxygen to the blood for survival. If the body does not get the oxygen the cells begin to die in 4 to 6 minutes. That will result in brain damage or death.

There are two classes of breathing emergencies, breathing distress and breathing arrest. Breathing distress is when someone has a breathing problem. Breathing arrest is when someone stops breathing completely. Either can be a direct result of obstructed breathing, illnesses and more.

Breathing distress:

What to look for-
• Trouble catching his or her breath, gasping for air
• Breathing slower or faster than normal
• Breathing deep or shallow
• Wheezing or gurgling
• Skin is flushed and moist at first and then later appears bluish
• Dizzy or lightheaded
• Pain in the chest and tingling in the hands and feet
• Feelings of apprehension, fear and anxiety

Causes:
• Asthma
• Illness
• Anaphylactic shock- Inflammation of the mouth and throat caused by inhaling flames, smoke and other irratating vapors or a allergic reaction to other things such as plant foods, spoiled game, bee stings, etc. If not treated immediately it will result in breathing arrest.

Breathing arrest:

What to look for-
• Unconsciousness
• Blue in the face
• No movement in the chest and abdomen area
• No breathing sounds other than a gasp or gurgle once in a while

Causes-
• Choking- A foreign matter in the mouth of the throat blocks the opening to the trachea
• Face or neck injury
• Anaphylactic shock- Inflammation of the mouth and throat caused by inhaling flames, smoke and other irratating vapors or a allergic reaction to other things such as plant foods, spoiled game, etc.
• “Kink” in the throat. This happens when the neck is bent forward so that the chin rests on the chest, blocking the airflow.
• Person is unconscious and the tongue blocks the airflow. When a person is unconscious the muscles needed to operate the lower jaw and tongue relax and the tongue falls back into the throat opening.

Note:
If a person goes into breathing arrest you need to begin CPR. I am not certified to teach CPR and recommend going to your local Red Cross or check with your local hospital for classes.

In any breathing emergencies you need to maintain an open airway. Read the following steps carefully.

1. Check to see if the person has a partial or fully blocked airway. If the person can speak or cough then allow them to clear it naturally. Stand by and keep reassuring the person. Be ready to perform mouth to mouth if the person becomes unconscious. If he or she has a complete obstruction perform abdominal thrust until the obstruction is cleared.

2. Use a finger and clear any foreign material from the mouth, broken teeth, dentures, sand, etc.

3. Use the jaw thrust method to open the airway. Grasp the angles of the lower jaw and lift with both hands, one on each side, and move the jaw forward. Keep your arms stable by resting your elbows on the surface the person is laying on. If their mouth is closed, open the lips with your thumb.

Rescue Breathing

4. When the airway is open, pinch their nose closed with your thumb and forefinger and blow two complete breaths into the persons lungs. Allow the lungs to deflate after the second inflation and perform the following:

5. If this does not stimulate spontaneous breathing, maintain the person's breathing by performing mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Note:
The person may vomit during the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Check periodically for vomit and clear as needed.

Breathing emergencies can be deadly and you need to know what to do. As stated before, please see your local hospital or Red Cross or go to the Red Cross website

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