You are walking down the street and you see someone lying on the edge. You need to know what steps to take if the person stops breathing. The best thing to do is to give CPR, including artificial respiration, until help arrives.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Checking the Scene
Step 1. Check for potential hazards at the scene
Your first instinct is generally to rush to the aid of someone in trouble, but don't put yourself in danger in the process. Look around to make sure it's safe to do help.
For example, check for things like live electrical wires and tools, falling rocks, or people with guns. Also, make sure that you and the person who is lying down are not in the middle of traffic if the scene is located near a highway
Step 2. See if the victim is still conscious
Talk to the victim and shake his head slowly. Ask the victim's name. See if the victim can talk to you. The victim is still conscious if he can respond well, but this does not mean he can breathe.
An unconscious victim will not be able to respond at all. He will not react to painful stimuli, such as a hard pinch on the neck
Step 3. Check the victim's breathing
Bring your ear to the victim's lips and listen. Observe the victim's chest at the same time. The victim may not be breathing if the chest does not appear to be rising and falling. Perform artificial respiration and chest compressions if the victim is not breathing.
- Don't spend too long examining the victim. Do not examine the victim for more than 10 seconds, because every second counts.
- In addition, artificial respiration is still necessary if the victim is gasping for air or hyperventilating because this is not normal breathing.
Step 4. Call for help
Find someone nearby and ask them to call 118. If you're alone, make sure you call 118 before giving artificial respiration. Otherwise, no help will come.
Step 5. Check for other injuries
Not breathing is a serious problem, but make sure the victim doesn't have other injuries, such as heavy bleeding wounds. Bleeding must be stopped before helping the victim breathe.
Part 2 of 3: Clearing the Respiratory Tract and Providing Artificial Respiration
Step 1. Lay the victim in a supine position
Slowly, turn the victim's body so that his face is facing up. If you suspect the victim has a neck or back injury, try asking someone to help turn him or her.
To do this, the person assisting you must hold the hips and shoulders in the direction the victim's body will be turned over, while you guide the head
Step 2. Put the victim's head back
Place one hand on the forehead and one hand under the victim's chin, then tilt the head back. This method aims to open the respiratory tract so that air can enter the victim's lungs.
If you suspect a neck, head, or spine injury, do not tilt the victim's head. If you are already trained, do a jaw thrust (lower jaw thrust). Kneel over the victim's head and place your hands on either side of his head. Place the middle and index fingers behind and under the victim's jaw, then push until the jaw protrudes, as if the victim has an underbite
Step 3. Examine the victim's mouth
See if there is anything blocking the victim's airway. Look for chewing gum or even pills and toothpicks, as these can all be in the victim's mouth. Remove the objects before proceeding to the next step.
If the blockage has entered your throat and is no longer in your mouth, do not try to pull it out as this can push the blockage further in
Step 4. Cover the victim's mouth with yours
Pinch the victim's nose. Position your mouth over the victim's mouth. The victim's mouth must be completely covered so that the respiratory tract is locked properly, this is the reason why the victim's nose also needs to be covered.
- If available, use a breathing barrier (mask between the victim's mouth and artificial respiration) which is generally available in first aid kits. However, don't let the search for the breathing barrier slow you down.
- Use the CE grip for effective suction when using the breathing barrier. The CE grip is done by forming the letter C using the thumb and forefinger on both hands and placing them around the rounded part of the mask. Use the remaining fingers to secure the bottom of the chin. Be sure to crouch over the victim's head facing her body to perform this move properly.
- Exhale through the victim's nose if artificial respiration cannot be given through his mouth. Cover the victim's mouth with your hand and use your mouth to cover his nose. Exhale as in normal artificial respiration.
Step 5. Breathe into the victim's mouth
Blow air into the victim's mouth for at least one second. Observe to see if the victim's chest expands.
Check again for obstruction in the victim's airway or tilt the head further if the victim's chest does not expand
Step 6. Give two breaths in succession
For artificial respiration, you usually give two breaths in succession before returning to chest compressions in CPR. Chest pressure is only needed for victims who do not have a heartbeat.
Part 3 of 3: Changing Routines for Children and Babies
Step 1. Do not shake the baby
For children and adults, gently shake their bodies to check for consciousness. For babies, flick your fingers gently on the soles of their feet to see if they respond.
Step 2. Give artificial respiration to the child or infant before calling 118
Even if you want to get help as soon as possible, it's very important to give a child or infant a 2-minute round of CPR before calling 118 because damage to the body can occur more quickly.
Step 3. Increase artificial respiration to five times
Instead of just giving two rescue breaths, do five breaths on both the child and the baby.
Step 4. Don't exhale too hard
Exhale vigorously enough to expand the adult chest. In children and infants, exhale more gently as they need less air to expand their chest.
Step 5. Cover baby's mouth and nose
When giving artificial respiration to your baby, cover both his nose and mouth with your mouth. An adult's mouth is too big to cover only a baby's mouth.
Tilt the baby's head back to open the airway if the baby's chest does not expand. If the chest still does not appear to be expanding, proceed to the procedure for a choking baby
Step 6. Perform all procedures in the same way
You should still check for obstruction and tilt your child or baby's head back to open the airway. Also, keep your child's mouth covered with your mouth while pinching his nose.
Tips
- Tilt the victim's head to the side if he or she is vomiting. When the victim has finished vomiting, clear the airway and continue artificial respiration if necessary.
- If you are unsure about the steps above, you are welcome to take a first aid or CPR training class. Ask the nearest PMI or International SOS about first aid and CPR courses.
