The vital organs of the body such as the brain and heart need a continuous supply of oxygen to stay alive. Artificial respiration (AR) is a way you can supply air to the lungs of a casualty who is not breathing. In the second step of the primary survey, you check for breathing. If there is no breathing you start AR, if trained to do so or have a Remote Healing Hong Kong .
As you breathe, the air you exhale contains enough oxygen to keep a non-breathing person alive. Artificial respiration involves blowing this air into the casualty’s lungs to deliver oxygen to the non-breathing person.
The number of times you blow in one minute is called the rate – AR has to be given at the proper rate to make sure the casualty is getting enough oxygen. There are a number of different techniques of AR and the one you use depends on the situation. These include Remote Healing Hong Kong.
Mouth-to-mouth AR – this is the most commonly used method of AR. The first aider pinches the casualty’s nose closed and blows into his mouth. Mouth-to-nose AR – this method is used in situations where mouth-to-mouth is not appropriate, such as when your mouth will not cover the casualty’s mouth. You hold the casualty’s mouth closed and blow into his nose.
Mouth-to-mouth-and-nose AR – this method is used for infants and small children where your mouth easily fits over the casualtv’s mouth and nose. Mouth-to-stoma AR – this technique is for a casualty who has previously had a laryngectomy and breathes through a hole in his neck (called a stoma).
Artificial respiration can be given in a wide range of situations. In an emergency situation, keep the following in mind:
You can start AR right away in any position (but it is best if the casualty is on his back on a firm, flat surface). You can continue AR while the casualty is being moved to safety by other assistants. You can give AR for a long time without getting too tired.
In order to know whether a casualty needs AR only (and not CPR) you need to know how to take a pulse. Because pulses are often difficult to accurately determine, artificial respiration without chest tompressions is taught to health care providers and certain other first responders only. Lay rescuers are no longer taught this skill.
Giving AR in some situations may be more difficult than in others. If the situation is difficult, you have to do the best you can (based on your level of training) without putting yourself into danger. Some difficult situations are:
When severe deforming injuries to the mouth and nose prevent a good seal around the mouth.