RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

AND BREATHING
Indian Red Cross Society
 SECTIONS

B.2 B.3 B.4 B.5

No Breathing or Drowning Strangulation and Choking
Difficult Breathing Hanging

B.6 B.7 B.8

Swelling within Suffocation by Asthma
the Throat smoke or gases
NO BREATHING OR DIFFICULT
BREATHING

1 CAUSES OF NO BREATHING

2 WHAT DO I SEE AND ENQUIRE?

WHAT DO I DO WHEN THE CASUALTY

3 IS NOT BREATHING OR NOT
BREATHING NORMALLY?
 CAUSES OF NO BREATHING:

Conditions Affecting the Air Passage:

Foreign body inhalation (coins, artificial teeth)

Food inhalation
Drowning-related obstruction (seaweeds, mud, water)
Bronchial asthma
Tongue falling back in an unconscious person
Tissue swelling due to scalding or allergic reactions
Inhalation of irritant gases
Compression of the Air Passage (Usually Deliberate,
Sometimes Accidental):

Smothering (covering the face of an infant or unconscious

person)
Strangulation with ropes or scarves
Hanging or throttling (applying pressure on the windpipe)
 CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE
RESPIRATORY MECHANISM:
Epilepsy, tetanus, rabies, etc.
Nerve diseases causing paralysis of the chest wall or diaphragm
Poisonous bites (e.g., snake bites)

CONDITIONS AFFECTING
RESPIRATORY CENTRE:
Overdose of morphia or similar products
Electric shock
Stroke
 COMPRESSION OF THE CHEST:
Caving in of earth or sand
Compression by grain in a silo
Crushing against a wall or barrier
Pressure in a crowd (stampede)

LACK OF OXYGEN AT HIGH ALTITUDES:

Low atmospheric pressure with low oxygen
levels
Lack of acclimatization
SIGNS OF NO BREATHING:
No flow of air out of the nose or mouth
Chest of the victim does not move up and
down

SIGNS OF ASPHYXIA:
Difficulty in breathing and restlessness
Increased breathing rate with shorter breaths
Swollen veins in the neck
Bluish coloration of the face, lips, nails, fingers,
and toes
Faster and feebler pulse
STEPS TO TAKE WHEN THE CASUALTY
IS NOT BREATHING OR BREATHING
ABNORMALLY:

1. Safety First and Call for Help:

Ensure personal safety and call for assistance

Remove any suffocation causes
2. Securing an Open Airway and Starting CPR

Remove any cause of suffocation, prioritizing

personal safety.
Turn the person onto their back if they are not
already in that position.
Kneel down beside the person.
 Begin CPR and do not interrupt resuscitation until:

1. The victim wakes up, moves, opens eyes, and breathes

normally.
2. Trained help in CPR arrives and takes over.
3. Exhaustion prevents continuing CPR.
4. The scene becomes unsafe to continue.
5. Cover the casualty after resuscitation.
 If Breathing Restarts:

1. Keep the victim covered to maintain warmth.

2. Arrange urgent transport to a hospital.
3. Do not leave the victim alone and continue to observe.
4. If breathing stops again, restart CPR.
3. Hygiene
Always wash your hands after taking
care of a person. Use soap and water
to wash your hands. Alcohol-based
sanitizers can also be used, if
available.
BLUEASTRO
 UNCONSCIOUS
+
BREATHING
=
RECOVERY POSITION
---------------------------------------------
UNCONSCIOUS
+
NOT BREATHING OR NOT
BREATHING NORMALLY
=
CPR
 DROWNING

1 WHAT DO I SEE AND ENQUIRE?

2 WHAT DO I DO?

REMOVE THE VICTIM OUT OF THE

3 WATER
 CAUSES OF DROWNING:
Asphyxia by water, weeds, and mud entering the lungs
Dry drowning: Vocal cord spasm due to breathing in water,
leading to airway obstruction
Secondary drowning: Water left in the lungs causing
swelling (edema) over time
Cold water immersion can lead to hypothermia
Possible trauma to the head, neck, or spine in diving
incidents
 SIGNS OF DROWNING:
Victim in distress in the water
Signs of drowning may include:
No breathing
Difficulty breathing and restlessness
Increased breathing rate with shorter breaths
Swollen veins in the neck
Bluish coloration of the face, lips, nails, fingers,
and toes
Faster and feebler pulse
Water gushing from the mouth (stomach
contents)
 ACTIONS TO TAKE:

1. Safety First and Call for help:

Ensure personal safety and call for assistance
Seek help or arrange urgent transport to the
nearest healthcare facility

2. Remove the Victim Out of the Water:

Remove the person from the water rapidly and

safely
Use a rope or object for the person to hold onto if
conscious and able
 If the Victim is Breathing:

1. Place the person in the recovery position and cover them to

keep warm
2. Do not leave the victim alone and continue to observe

If the Victim is Not Breathing or Not Breathing Normally:

1. Remove any cause of suffocation

2. Turn the person on their back if not already
3. Kneel down beside the person
4. Start CPR and continue until help arrives or conditions
change
3. Hygiene

Always wash your hands after taking

care of a person. Use soap and water
to wash your hands. Alcohol-based
sanitizers can also be used, if
available.
BLUEASTRO
STRANGULATION
AND HANGING
 Understanding Strangulation and
Hanging
Strangulation involves constriction or
squeezing around the neck or throat,
cutting off the airway.
Hanging refers to the suspension of the
body by a noose around the neck.
Accidental strangulation or hanging
can occur due to clothing or ties
getting caught in machinery.
Hanging may result in a broken neck,
requiring careful handling of the
casualty.
Safety First and Call for Help
Ensure personal safety before assisting.
Call for help if alone and ask a bystander to seek
immediate assistance or arrange transportation to the
nearest healthcare facility.
Cut or remove any constricting bands around the throat.
If the victim is suspended, raise the body and loosen or cut
the rope.
Lay the person on the ground, taking care to avoid causing
further neck injuries.
 If the Victim is Breathing
If the person is breathing, place them in the recovery position and
cover with a blanket or coat to maintain warmth.
Do not leave the victim unattended and continue monitoring.

If the Victim is Not Breathing or

Breathing Abnormally
Remove any causes of suffocation, ensuring your own safety.
If the person is not lying on their back, carefully turn them onto their
back.
Kneel down beside the person to initiate CPR.
If breathing resumes
Cover the victim to maintain warmth.

Arrange urgent transport to a hospital.

Do not leave the victim unattended and

continue monitoring.

If breathing stops again, restart CPR.

HYGIENE
Wash your hands before and after taking
care of patient

Maintain hygiene by washing hands with

soap and water or an alcohol based
sanitizer
CHOKING
Understanding Choking
Choking occurs when a person has severe difficulty
breathing due to an obstructed airway or lack of air.
Coughing is the natural response to mild choking,
indicating that there is still airflow through the
windpipe.
Severe choking occurs when the airway is blocked by a
foreign object or local swelling, posing a life-
threatening emergency.
Infants and children often choke on non-edible objects,
while most adult choking incidents happen while
eating.
 SIGNS
AND
SYMPTOMS
When a person is choking, observe the
following signs:
Difficulty in breathing
Ineffective coughing
Inability to speak or make sounds
Hands grasping the throat
Blue lips and tongue
Prominent veins in the face and neck
Dizziness or potential loss of consciousness
 Actions for Choking

Approach and Help the Choking

Person

Ask the person, "Are you choking?" (If

the person can understand and
respond)
 If the Person Can Cough or Breathe
Instruct the person to continue coughing.
Stay with the person until they can breathe normally again.

If the Person Cannot Speak, Cough, or Breathe

Stand to the side and slightly behind the choking person (older
than one year).
Support the person's chest with one hand and bend them forward.
Deliver five firm blows between the shoulder blades using the heel
of your hand.
Verify if the object has been dislodged and the person can breathe
again
If the Object Did Not Dislodge and Choking Continues
Stand behind the choking person,
placing both hands around their
abdomen.
Form a fist and position it between the
navel and lower tip of the breastbone.
Hold your fist with your other hand
and bend the person forward.
Pull your fist firmly toward you and
upwards, delivering five abdominal
thrusts.
This method is applicable to
individuals older than one year.
If the air passage is clear,
discontinue abdominal thrusts
but limit to five repetitions.
If the object remains lodged,
alternate five back blows and
five abdominal thrusts.
Repeat until the object is
expelled or the person loses
consciousness.
If the Person Loses Consciousness

Carefully lay the unconscious person

on the floor.
Call for help if alone and ask a
bystander to seek immediate
assistance or arrange transportation
to a healthcare facility.
Kneel down beside the person and, if
necessary, turn them onto their back.
Initiate CPR.
Choking
In
Infants
Understanding Infant Choking
Choking in infants occurs when their airway is
obstructed or airflow is restricted, posing a life-
threatening situation.
Prompt action is crucial when dealing with choking
infants, as they are unable to clear their airway
effectively.
Infants often choke on non-edible objects, and
immediate assistance is necessary to prevent
complications.
ACTIONS FOR CHOKING INFANTS (UNDER ONE YEAR)

1 Urgent Assistance

2 Positioning

3 Head and Neck Support

4 Back Blows
 Urgent Assistance
Call for help if alone, ensuring
someone seeks immediate assistance
or arranges transportation to the
nearest healthcare facility.

Instruct the bystander to confirm if

help has been obtained.
 Positioning
Kneel down to secure a stable position and
prevent the baby from falling.

Place the baby along your forearm:

1. Right-handed individuals: Use the left
forearm.
2. Left-handed individuals: Use the right
forearm.
 Head and Neck Support

Support the baby's head and neck

with one hand, ensuring the mouth
remains uncovered.

Position the baby face down, with the

head lower than the trunk, resting on
your forearm and supported by your
thigh.
Back Blows
With your free hand, deliver five firm blows to the area
between the baby's shoulder blades, using the base of
your palm.

Repositioning
Swiftly turn the baby, while supporting the
head, onto their back, facing you and resting on
your arm
If Object Not Dislodged
Chest Thrusts
Place two fingers (the two after your
thumb) in the middle of the baby's
chest.
Deliver five thrusts, pushing inward
and upward.
Note: This method of chest thrusts is
only suitable for infants under one
year old.
Discontinue after five thrusts.
 Alternate Blows and Thrusts

If the object remains lodged and the baby is

still choking, provide another set of five back
blows followed by five chest thrusts.

Repeat this process until the object is

expelled or the baby loses consciousness.
 Baby Losing Consciousness

Safe Placement
Lay the baby down on a firm and safe
surface, such as the floor.
CPR Initiation
Begin CPR on the baby, following
appropriate procedures.
Continuing CPR and Seeking Assistance
SWELLING WITHIN
THE THROAT
 SWELLING IN THE
THROAT MAY OCCUR
AS A RESULT OF

1 2 3 4
drinking a Swallowing Inflammation Allergic
very hot corrosive reaction
liquid poisons
PROVIDING FIRST
AID TO THE
PERSON WITH
SWELLING
THROAT
1 Make the victim sit up.
If their breathing is normal or returns to normal,
2 you can give them ice to suck on or some cold
water to sip.

3 If their breathing stops:

Call for help.
Start CPR.

Always make sure to take the person to

4 a healthcare facility for further
evaluation.
HYGIENE

1
Wash your hands after taking
care of someone .

2
Use soap and water to
wash your hands.
BLUEASTRO

If there is no soap
3 available, you can use ash.

4 If you have alcohol-based

sanitizer, you can use that
too.
SUFFOCATION BY SMOKE OR GASES

1 INTRODUCTION

2 SUFFOCATION BY SMOKE

3 SUFFOCATION BY CARBON MONOXIDE

OR GASES LIGHTER THAN AIR

4 SUFFOCATION BY CARBON DIOXIDE

OR GASES HEAVIER THAN AIR

WHEN TO REFER TO A HEALTHCARE

5 FACILITY
 ASPHYXIA
Asphyxia can occur in an environment where sufficiently
oxygenated air is present, but cannot be adequately breathed
because of air contamination such as excessive smoke, or can
occur in case of breathing in the oxygen-depleted air.

An asphyxiant gas is usually a nontoxic or minimally toxic gas

which reduces or displaces the normal oxygen concentration in
breathing air.

Because asphyxiant gases are relatively inert and odourless, their

presence in high concentration may not be noticed, except in the
case of carbon dioxide.
 TOXIC GASES
Toxic gases, by contrast, cause death by other mechanisms, such
as competing with oxygen at the cellular level (e.g., carbon
monoxide) or directly damaging the respiratory system.

Even smaller quantities of these gases can be deadly.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless but

highly toxic gas which takes the space in haemoglobin that
normally carries oxygen, thus making it ineffective in delivering
oxygen to body tissues.

Carbon monoxide is lighter than air.

Carbon monoxide is produced when there is not enough oxygen
to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), such as when operating a stove
or an internal combustion engine in an enclosed space.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colourless, odourless gas which is

heavier than normal air.

It can be pocketed in high concentrations in wells, sewerages and

mines.

Other gases like refrigerator gases, compressed gases for cooking

or lighting can also cause suffocation.
 SUFFOCATION BY SMOKE
1. Safety First and Call for help:
Make sure there is no danger to you, the person
or bystanders. Ask a bystander to call for help.

Do not take any risk that could endanger you.

The fire brigade has specialised teams and
equipment to handle these situations safely.

Protect yourself by a towel or a cloth (preferably

wet) over your mouth and nose.

Crawl on the floor and stay as low as possible.

2. Move the Victim out of the Smoke

Move the victim as quickly as possible away

from the area.

Loosen the victim’s clothes at neck and waist.

If the breathing stopped, call for help and start

CPR.

Always arrange transport for the victim to a

healthcare facility for further follow up.
3. Hygiene

Always wash your hands after taking

care of a person. Use soap and water
to wash your hands. Alcohol-based
sanitizers can also be used, if
available.
BLUEASTRO
 SUFFOCATION BY CARBON
MONOXIDE (CO) OR LIGHTER GASES
Make sure there is no danger to you, the person or
bystanders. Ask a bystander to call for help.

Do not take any risk that could endanger you. The

fire brigade will handle these situations safely.

Ensure the circulation of fresh air by opening doors

and windows.

If the gas is expected to be a deadly poisonous gas,

do not enter the affected area!
Before entering the enclosed space, take two or three deep breaths
and hold your breath as long as you can. Use a gas mask if available.

Crawl on the floor and stay as low as possible.

Move the victim to an area of fresh air away from the affected area.

Loosen the victim’s clothes at neck and waist.

If the breathing has stopped, call for help and start CPR.

Always arrange transport for the victim to a healthcare facility for

further follow up.
3. Hygiene

Always wash your hands after taking

care of a person. Use soap and water
to wash your hands. Alcohol-based
sanitizers can also be used, if
available.
BLUEASTRO
 SUFFOCATION BY CARBON DIOXIDE
OR HEAVIER GASES
1. Safety First and Call for help:
Make sure there is no danger to you, the person
or bystanders. Ask a bystander to call for help.

Make sure there is no danger to you. Do not take

any risk that could endanger you. The fire
brigade has specialised teams and equipment to
handle these situations safely.

If the gas is expected to be a deadly poisonous gas,

do not enter the affected area!
1. Safety First and Call for help:
Ensure the circulation of fresh air before entering
the area if possible.

Use a gas mask. If not available, before entering

the enclosed space, take two or three deep
breaths and hold your breath as long as you can.

Enter in an upright position and stay as high as

possible.
2. Move the Victim to an Area of Fresh Air
Move the victim as quickly as possible away from
the area.

Loosen the victim’s clothes at neck and waist.

If the breathing stopped, call for help and start

CPR.

Always arrange transport for the victim to a

healthcare facility for further follow up.
3. Hygiene

Always wash your hands after taking

care of a person. Use soap and water
to wash your hands. Alcohol-based
sanitizers can also be used, if
available.
BLUEASTRO
 WHEN TO REFER TO A
HEALTHCARE FACILITY?

Always urgently transport the casualty who was exposed to

smoke or gases to the nearest healthcare facility.
ASTHMA
01 Introduction

02 Symptoms and Enquiry

03 What to do now?

04 Hygiene

05 Referring to the doctor

 Introduction
When a person has asthma, their airways narrow, swell,
and create more mucus than normal

This may make breathing difficult and bring on symptoms

including wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

For some people, asthma can be a mere annoyance, but for

others it can be a serious issue that interferes with
everyday activities and even result in life-threatening
asthma episodes.
Although asthma cannot be cured, its
symptoms can be managed with the use of
prescribed drugs.

A history from the person exhibiting

symptoms might be used to diagnose asthma.
SYMPTOMS
AND
ENQUIRY
 SYMPTOMS:

Breathing challenges

Rapid breathing or coughing,

occasionally with mucus coughed up.

A whistling or Wheezing noise is made when

exhaling.

Complaints of chest pain or tightness.

Breathlessness prevents you from getting
any sleep.

Asphyxia symptoms include a grey-blue

tint to the lips and nail beds.

Long-lasting attacks could wear you out.

WHAT TO
DO NOW?
Remain composed and reassuring.
Help them settle into a
comfortable position by having
them sit up and lean forward, for
example.
Allow them to use their inhaler if
they have one.
To get fresh air, open a window,
then take off any tight clothing.
If it's their first attack, it's severe, or if
the inhaler isn't working, get
emergency medical attention.
Check their breathing and make sure
their airway is open if they go
unconscious.
If they cease breathing, perform CPR.
HYGIENE
BLUEASTRO
Wash your hands before and after
taking care of patient

Maintain hygiene by washing hands

with soap and water or an alcohol based
sanitizer
REFERRING
TO THE
DOCTOR
For Emergency:
Always urgently transport the person to the
nearest hospital if the at continues even after
the person took his medication .
For Safety:
Always advice the person known to be treated
for asthma to visit the healthcare facility
as soon as possible after the asthma crisis for
further follow-up and treatment.