CONTROLLING BREATHING

Controlling breathing when the casualty is unconscious is very important .Controlling breathing involves checking the airway ,clearing the airway ,opening the airway  ,checking for breathing and performing  cardio pulmonary resuscitation when breathing stops .

AIRWAY

If the casualty is unconscious (a condition which  the brain fails to respond to the messages sent to it ), you must check that the airway is clear and call for an ambulance immediately. Airway is the passage that leads from the mouth , nose and throat to the windpipe ,if this is blocked ,oxygen cannot reach the lungs .If there is no oxygen for 3 to 4 minutes ,the casualty will start to die .

Some common causes of a blocked airway are :the tongue ,vomit ,false teeth  ,chewing gum

If any of these objects is blocking the airway ,you must place the casualty in a position that will enable you to clear the object .This position is known as lateral position ,in the lateral position ,any object that is blocking the airway  is removed more easily.

LATERAL POSITION

1)Kneel beside the casualty   2)Place the arm of the casualty that is furthest away from you straight out  3)Place the casualty’s nearest arm across his chest  4)bend the nearer  knee up 5)Roll the casualty away from you so he/she is lying on his side

Lateral position enables any object that is blocking the airway to be removed more easily. It is very difficult to remove objects  from a person lying on his /her back.

 CLEARING THE AIRWAY

With the casualty in the lateral position ,tilt the head back slightly .Open the mouth with two fingers ,remove any objects that may be blocking the airway using a scooping action .If the airway is clear ,the  casualty  can be positioned on his or her  back

OPENING THE AIRWAY

Whether the person is on his or her back of in the lateral position .tilt the head  right back with one hand on the forehead and ,using a pistol grip ,hold the chin and jawline .Lift the jaw forward and open the casualty’s mouth slightly .

CHECKING FOR BREATHING

Place your check alongside the casualty’s mouth .Feel and listen for breath  .Look along the chest  to see whether it is rising and falling

RESCUE BREATHING

1)Position the casualty on his back

2)Kneel beside the casualty

3)Place one hand on the casualty’s  forehead

4)Tilt the casualty’s head back

5)Pinch the casualty’s nostrils with your fingers or close off the nostrils with your cheek

6)Place your mouth firmly over the casualty’s mouth ,making an airtight seal

7)Breathe into the casualty’s mouth to give two rescue breaths

8)If  there are still no signs of life ,begin chest compression

CARDIO PULMONARY RESUSCITATION FOR ADULTS

1)Visualize the centre  of the chest .Place your interlaced hands on the breastbone ,keep your arms straight

2)Lean forward so that you compress the breastbone about 1/3  of the depth of the chest

3)Release the pressure ,then repeat

4)Continue 30 times

5)Pause after each 30 compressions to two breaths at a rate of 100 compressions per minute

6)Continue with chest compressions  until signs of life are obvious

CARDIO PULMONARY RESUSCITATION  FOR CHIDREN  (between 12 months and 8 years )

1)Apply slight ,not full  head tit

2)Locate the lower half of the breastbone

3)Apply compressions with the heel of one hand placed over the lower half of the breastbone

4)Depress the breastbone 2,5cm

5)Keep the same ratios as for adults

6)Cover the child’s nose and mouth if required with your mouth and breathe with less force ,as