The first aid for assisted breathing, also known as rescue breathing, involves manually providing breaths to someone who is not breathing or not breathing effectively. Here's a breakdown of the process:
Steps for Performing Assisted Breathing:
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Check for Responsiveness and Breathing: Before starting, ensure the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally (or only gasping). Call for emergency medical services or have someone else do it.
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Position the Person: Lay the person on their back on a firm, flat surface.
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Open the Airway: Use the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver. Place one hand on their forehead and gently tilt their head back. With your other hand, gently lift their chin forward. This helps to open the airway by lifting the tongue away from the back of the throat.
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Check for Obstructions: Look inside the person's mouth for any obvious obstructions, such as vomit or foreign objects. If you see something, carefully remove it.
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Provide Breaths (Mouth-to-Mouth):
- Pinch the person's nose shut with your thumb and index finger.
- Take a normal breath.
- Make a complete seal over the person's mouth with your mouth.
- Give two initial rescue breaths, each lasting about one second, and watch for the chest to rise.
- If the chest doesn’t rise, re-tilt the head and try again. If it still doesn’t rise, the airway may be blocked.
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Continue Breathing: Give one breath every 5-6 seconds. Look for chest rise with each breath.
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Recheck Circulation: Check for a pulse about every two minutes. If there is no pulse, begin CPR (chest compressions). If there is a pulse, continue rescue breathing until the person begins to breathe on their own or until help arrives.
Important Considerations:
- Barrier Devices: If available, use a barrier device (like a pocket mask) to reduce the risk of infection during rescue breathing.
- Chest Rise: Observing chest rise is a critical indicator that your breaths are entering the person's lungs.
- Airway Obstruction: If you cannot get air into the person's lungs, suspect an airway obstruction and consider performing abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) if they are an adult or child. For infants, use back blows and chest thrusts.
- Stay Calm: Performing rescue breathing can be stressful. Try to remain calm and focused.
- Training: Consider taking a CPR/AED certification course to receive hands-on training and learn more advanced techniques.
In summary, first aid for assisted breathing involves opening the airway, providing breaths, and monitoring for signs of improvement until professional help arrives, always prioritizing safety and proper technique.
