The respiratory rate is one of our vital signs. When we breathe in air, we get oxygen and when we exhale, we give off carbon dioxide. Checking the respiratory rate is an important way to ensure a person's respiratory system remains healthy and functioning.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Measuring a Person's Breathing Rate
Step 1. Count your breaths
Breaths are measured in breaths per minute or bpm (breaths per minute). To get accurate results, the person needs to rest. That means he's not breathing faster than usual from working out. He should stay still for at least 10 minutes before you count his pulse.
- Have him sit up straight. If you are measuring the baby's respiratory rate, lay the baby on his back on a firm surface.
- Use a stopwatch to count breaths for one minute. Count how many times the person's chest rises and falls during that minute.
- If you tell the person that you will be measuring their breathing, their breathing rate may change without them noticing. Ask him to breathe normally. To increase the accuracy of the results, you can perform the calculation three times and calculate the average of the results.
- If you have limited time, count the breaths in 15 seconds, then multiply the number of breaths by 4. This will give you a close breath-per-minute estimate and is useful for emergencies.
Step 2. Determine if the respiratory rate is within the normal range
Children breathe faster than adults so you need to compare the results with the normal breaths per minute rate for that person's age group. The levels are as follows:
- 30 to 60 breaths per minute (bpm) for infants aged 0 to 6 months
- 24 to 30 breaths per minute (bpm) for babies aged 6 to 12 months
- 20 to 30 breaths per minute (bpm) for children 1 to 5 years old
- 12 to 20 breaths per minute (bpm) for children 6 to 11 years old
- 12 to 18 breaths per minute (bpm) for people 12 years of age or older
Step 3. Look for signs of breathing problems
If a person's breathing rate is higher or lower than his expected range, and he hasn't exercised in a long time, this could be an indication that there is a problem. Other signs of breathing problems include:
- The nostrils inflate with each breath.
- Slightly dark skin.
- The ribs and the center of the chest are pulled inward.
- The person produces grunting, growling, or crying sounds when breathing.
- The lips and/or eyelids are blue.
- He breathes with the whole shoulder/chest. This is considered as breathing with effort.
Step 4. Check the number of breaths per minute as many as needed
If you are with someone and their breathing rate needs to be checked frequently, do a count every 15 minutes for non-emergency cases. If the person is in an emergency, count the breaths per minute every 5 minutes.
- Checking the person's breaths per minute can tell you early warning signs of deteriorating condition, shock, or other changes.
- If possible, try to record the person's breaths per minute in case you go to the hospital.
Part 2 of 2: Getting Medical Help
Step 1. Call emergency services
If you or someone with you is having trouble breathing, call emergency services immediately. Breathing too fast or too slowly can be signs of a medical problem including:
- Asthma
- Worry
- Pneumonia
- Heart failure
- Drug overdose
- Fever
Step 2. Get rescue breathing
If a person needs rescue breathing, there are several ways a doctor can administer oxygen, including:
- Oxygen mask. This mask must fit snugly on the person's face and provide a higher concentration of oxygen than is present in the atmosphere. All around us, air contains 21% oxygen. However, if a person is having difficulty breathing, he or she may need a higher concentration of oxygen.
- CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure. The tube is inserted into the person's nose and oxygen flows in a small amount of air pressure. The pressure will help the airway and lungs stay open.
- Ventilation. A breathing tube is inserted through the person's mouth and into the throat. Then, oxygen can be injected directly into the lungs.
Step 3. Avoid hyperventilating due to anxiety
Some people breathe very fast, called hyperventilation, when they feel anxious or panicked. This can cause a feeling of not being able to breathe even if you are getting too much oxygen when you breathe too fast. If someone you're with is experiencing this, you can:
- Reassure the person and help him calm down. Tell him he's not having a heart attack and won't die. Reassure him that he is okay.
- Have him perform a technique that will reduce the amount of oxygen he inhales. He can breathe in a paper bag, purse his lips, or close one nostril and mouth when he breathes. When the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in his system returns to normal, he will feel better.
- You can also help him calm down by suggesting to concentrate on one object in the sky, such as a tree or a building. Or you can tell him to close his eyes to relieve any panic he may be experiencing.
- Encourage the person to see a doctor.
