When Seconds Count

Respiratory Distress- Condition in which breathing becomes difficult.

Signs & Symptoms

1. Abnormal breathing

2. Slow or rapid breathing

3. Unusually deep or shallow

4. Gasping for breath

5. Wheezing or gurgling (high pitched noises)

6. Skin moist or cool

7. Flushed, pale, ashen or bluish (cyanotic)

8. Victim feels short of breath

9. Dizzy/light headed

10. Feels pain in chest/tingling hands, feet, lips

11. Feels apprehensive/fearful

0 min.: Breathing stops. Heart will soon stop beating4-6 min.: Brain damage possible/cells begin to die6-10 min.: Brain damage likelyOver 10 min.: Irreversible brain damage certain

Breathing Emergencies can be caused by:1. Obstructed airway (choking)2. Illness3. Emphysema/asthma4. Electrocution5. Shock6. Drowning7. Heart Attack8. Injury to head, chest, or lungs9. Allergic reaction to foods and bites10. Drugs11. Inhaling/ingesting toxic substances

Causes of Respiratory Distress

1. Asthma- Condition that narrows the air passages due to spasm of the muscles lining the bronchi. Attacks can be triggered by an allergic reaction to food, pollen, a drug, insect bite, stress, cold air & physical activity. Treated with an inhaler & medication to stop spasms

2. Emphysema- Disease in which lungs & alveoli lose their ability to exchange Co2 & O2. Caused by smoking & develops over a long period of time. Shortness of breath, problems exhaling, appear cyanotic.

Causes of Respiratory Distress

Bronchitis- Inflammation of the lining of the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. Causes a build up a mucus. Commonly caused by smoking. Persistent cough, tightness in chest & have trouble breathing.

Anaphylactic Shock- (Anaphylaxis) Severe allergic reaction. Air passages swell & restrict breathing. Caused by insect stings, food, allergens, & other medications. S&S- Rash, tightness of chest/throat, swelling of face, neck & tongue. Dizziness & confused.

Respiratory Distress in Children

1. Agitation

2. Fast/slow breathing

3. Drowsiness

4. Noisy breathing

5. Pale, ashen, bluish skin

6. Increased difficulty breathing

7. Altered consciousness

8. Increased HR & breathing

Rescue Breathing- Adults

If a person is not breathing, tilt the head back & lift the chin.

Give 1 slow breath every 5 seconds.

Continue for 1 minutes- 12 breaths per minute.

*Recheck pulse & breathing every minute.

*Feel for pulse for about 5 seconds

Rescue Breathing- Children/Infant

Give 1 slow breath every 3 seconds

Continue for 1 minute- 20 breaths per minute

When to Stop:

1. Victim begins to breath on their own

2. Victim has no pulse. . Move to CPR

3. Another trained person takes over

4. EMS arrives on the scene

5. You are too exhausted

6. Scene becomes unsafe

Breathing Devices

Resuscitation masks & face shields- barriers to protect you

Special Considerations

Air in Stomach- air normally enters through the stomach however, if you breathe longer than 1 ½ sec. It will cause the extra air to fill the stomach. Stop the breath when the chest rises.

Gastric Distention- is air in the stomach that can make the victim vomit.

Aspiration- sucking or taking bloodVomiting- If the victim vomits, roll them on their side, avoid twisting the

neck. Wipe the mouth clean, reposition, reopen airway & continue rescue breathing.

Mouth to Nose- If you can’t make a good seal1. Maintain head tilt w/ one hand on forehead, close the mouth by

pushing on chin.2. Seal mouth over their nose- open mouth in between if possible.

Special Considerations

Mouth to Stoma- Breathing in the front of the throat. Look, listen and feel for breathing over stoma instead of mouth.

Dentures- Leave in place, they provide support for the mouth & cheeks. Only remove if they are blocking the airway.

Suspected Head, Neck, or Back- Lift chin without tilting the head.

Choking-Airway Obstruction (2 Types)

1. Anatomical- airway blocked by tongue or swollen tissues of mouth & throat.

2. Mechanical- Blocked by a foreign object food/toy

Causes of Choking

1. Trying to swallow large pieces of poorly chewed food

2. Drinking alcohol before or during (dulls swallowing nerves)

3. Wearing dentures

4. Eating while talking excitingly or laughing

5. Walking, playing or running w/ food in your mouth.

1. Croup- Viral infection causing swelling of tissues around vocal cords. Cough sounds like the bark of a seal. Usually 1-2 days of a fever

2. Epiglottitis- Bacterial infection causing severe inflammation of epiglottis (flap of tissue above vocal cords that seals airway during swallowing). Blocks airway, high fever, sore throat, saliva drips out of mouth.

Care for Respiratory Distress1. Help victim rest in comfortable position2. Provide fresh air (open doors/windows)3. Call 9114. If conscious, check for non-threatening injuries5. Reduce anxiety/comfort6. Monitor7. Maintain body temperature8. If available, assist in taking medications (inhaler, bronchial

dilator & anaphylaxis kit)

Hyperventilation- Imbalance of O2 & CO2. Occurs when breathing is faster than normal. Can be caused by fear, anxiety, head injuries, sever bleeding, or illnesses such as high fever, heart failure & lung disease. Can be triggered by asthma or exercise. May feel dizzy, tingling feet and hands. If from in jury call 91.

Respiratory Arrest- Breathing stops. Caused by illness, injury, drowning, electric shock, or obstructed airway. Soon after breathing stops, the heart will stop.