breathing emergencies. what are the parts? nose mouth tongue epiglottis trachea
TRANSCRIPT
Breathing Emergencies
What are the parts?
• Nose• Mouth• Tongue• Epiglottis• Trachea
Remember…If you do nothing else
Normal Breathing• Quiet and Effortless• No sign of discomfort or struggle• Not too slow or too fast• Children and Infants: Breathing is faster
Respiratory Distress• Breathing is difficult, but still occurring• If left untreated, may lead to Arrest
Causes of Respiratory Distress & Arrest
• Choking• Illness• Chronic Conditions – Asthma• Electrocution• Irregular Heartbeat• Heart Attack• Injury – Head, Neck, Chest, Lungs, Abdomen• Allergic Reaction• Drugs & Alcohol - Overdose
Causes of Respiratory Distress & Arrest
• Poisoning• Emotional Distress• Drowning
Asthma
Inflammation of the air passages resulting in a temporary narrowing of the airways.
• Can be sudden onset – cold air, allergens, etc.• Usually hear wheezing, or whistling sound• People with diagnosed condition - Inhaler
COPD
Chronic – long term lung disease – chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
• Excessive cough – lots of mucus• Tire easily• Fast Pulse• Round, Barrel-shaped chest• Confusion
COPD
Emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs
• Typically found in smokers – middle to older age
• Shortness of breath – very difficult to exhale
COPD
Bronchitis – inflammation of the main air passages – acute / chronic.
• Chest discomfort• Fatigue – Excessive coughing• Shortness of breath – worse with activity• Swelling of ankles and feet – fluid retention• Frequent respiratory infections / colds
Hyperventilation
Faster than normal breathing, shallow breaths – reduces the oxygen intake
• Emotional factors – stress / anxiety• Can be caused by injury, illness, etc.• Body increases the respiration rate• Less oxygen, more CO2 in body
Allergic Reactions
Response of the body’s immune system to a foreign substance – environmental, food, meds
• Tightness in chest• Swelling of body parts – especially airway• Severe reactions can cause swelling to the
point of cutting off air supply
What to look forYou don’t need to be overly concerned with why, just what:
1. Trouble breathing or not breathing2. Slow / Rapid rate3. Gasping4. Wheezing, Gurgling5. Moist / Cool skin6. Bluish lips / skin / nail beds7. Chest pain
What to do while you waitCall 911 IMMEDIATELY – Or the wait is much longer
1. Help the person find a comfortable position, usually sitting up, laying down can make it worse
2. If conscious – check for other conditions3. Try to reassure to calm anxiety4. Question bystanders – if they know the person,
what were they doing, etc.5. Hyperventilating – Reassure, talk calmly, monitor
their condition closely.
What to do while you waitCall 911 IMMEDIATELY – Or the wait is much longer
1. Un-conscious adult? – Most likely cardiac – begin CPR immediately (We’ll cover this later)
2. If you know it is respiratory related – drowning, drug overdose, etc. – 2 Rescue Breaths, quick scan for bleeding, then CPR
3. For children and infants – 2 Rescue Breaths, quick scan for bleeding, then CPR
ChokingCommon breathing emergency – especially in young children and infants
Causes:
1. Poorly chewed food2. Alcohol overdose (especially during meals – dulls the
nerves that aid in swallowing)3. Dentures4. Eating while talking, laughing, etc.5. Walking / playing with food or objects in the mouth
Choking in Children & InfantsEverything goes in the mouth – EVERYTHING
Most common foods kids choke on:
1. Hot dogs2. Grapes3. Popcorn4. Gooey, Sticky, hard candy5. Vitamins6. Chewing Gum
Choking in Children & InfantsEverything goes in the mouth – EVERYTHING
Most common non-food items kids choke on:
1. Baby Powder2. Trash Contents3. Safety Pins4. Coins5. Marbles6. Pen / Marker Lids7. Button Batteries
What to look forSigns of choking:
1. Coughing2. Clutching throat – Universal sign3. Inability to cough or speak4. High-Pitched noisy breathing5. Panic6. Blue skin7. Losing consciousness
Universal sign for choking
What to do while you waitCall 911 IMMEDIATELY – Or the wait is much longer
1. If coughing – encourage them to keep coughing2. If no air movement – but conscious get consent3. Begin Backblows / Abdominal Thrusts – 5:5
Backblows & Abdominal Thrusts
Backblows & Abdominal Thrusts
What about “Fluffy” People?
How long?Continue alternating between back blows and abdominal thrusts until:
1. The object is free and the person is no longer choking
2. The person loses consciousness
Conscious choking infant
Conscious choking infant
Adult / Child – Now they’re unconscious
• Lower them to the ground – gently• Face up• Open the mouth and look, sweep out a
foreign object if you see one – no probing!• Head Tilt / Chin Lift – 2 Rescue Breaths• If they don’t go in, reposition the head and try
again
Adult / Child – Now they’re unconscious
• Still didn’t go in, give 30 chest compressions• Open the mouth, look and sweep if you see it• Try 2 rescue breaths again• Didn’t go in, reposition, and try again• Didn’t go in – continue chest compressions
How long?Continue this cycle until:
1. The object comes out and the chest clearly rises with each rescue breath
2. The person begins to breathe on their own3. Someone trained equally or higher arrives and
takes over4. You become too exhausted to continue5. Scene becomes unsafe
Unconscious InfantLay the infant on a firm flat surface – counter top or table are best
1. Immediately begin 30 chest compressions2. Open airway and look, remove if you see it, if not:3. Try 2 rescue breaths, if they don’t go in, reposition
and try again4. Still won’t begin another cycle of compressions
Let’s practice1. Get into groups of 32. Victim, Rescuer, Bystander3. Practice conscious choking adult / child4. Rotate after 2 cycles of Back Blows and Abdominal
Thrusts
Skill sheets for this practical are on the website:
www.dereksplace.org
Questions?
I have ADD…I don’t remember what was on the second slide
www.dereksplace.org