Respiratory Arrest

Is a type of breathing emergencies which occurs when breathing has stopped. This lesson covers only situation
where breathing stop but there is still pulse.
Rescue Breathing Comparison for Adult, Child and Infant
Normal Respiratory Rate By Age
Neutral Position for an Infant (Under 1 Year Old)
The difference between the neutral plus position for a child and the neutral position for an
infant airway pertains to the specific alignment of the head and neck to ensure an open
and unobstructed airway during resuscitation or other medical procedures. Here's a
breakdown of each position:

● Definition: The neutral position for an infant involves aligning the infant's head and
neck so that the airway is open without hyperextending or flexing the neck.
● How to Achieve It: Place the infant on a flat surface. Typically, the head should be
in line with the body, with the face looking straight up. No pillows or additional head
supports are needed, as the infant's relatively large occiput (back of the head)
naturally places the head in a neutral position.
● Purpose: This position ensures that the airway remains open without causing
obstruction due to the soft and flexible tissues in an infant's neck.
Neutral Plus Position for a Child (Over 1 Year Old)

● Definition: The neutral plus position is slightly different from the neutral position
and involves a slight extension of the head and neck.
● How to Achieve It: Position the child on a flat surface. Slightly extend the head
backward by placing a small pad (like a folded towel) under the shoulders. This
creates a slight head tilt.
● Purpose: Children over 1 year old have different anatomical proportions, and a
slight extension (the "plus" in neutral plus) helps align the airway better. This
position helps to overcome any potential airway obstruction that might occur if
the head is not adequately extended.
Key Points

1. Infants (Neutral Position):

○ Head in line with the body.
○ No additional support needed under the head or shoulders.
○ Ensures airway is open without causing obstruction.
2. Children (Neutral Plus Position):
○ Slight head extension (head tilt).
○ Small pad under shoulders to achieve proper alignment.
○ Prevents airway obstruction by optimizing head and neck alignment.

Proper airway management is crucial for effective ventilation and oxygenation,

especially in emergencies. Knowing the correct position based on age helps
ensure that the airway remains open and functional during resuscitation efforts.
Asthma Attack
Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation occurs when a person breathes

rapidly and deeply, causing a decrease in the
carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood. This
can lead to various symptoms, including
dizziness, lightheadedness, tingling in the hands
and feet, and even fainting. Understanding
hyperventilation and knowing how to provide
first aid for it can be crucial in managing the
condition effectively.
Causes of Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation can be triggered by several factors, including:

1. Anxiety or Panic Attacks: Emotional stress and anxiety are common
causes.
2. Medical Conditions: Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), pulmonary embolism, heart attack, and infections like
pneumonia.
3. Pain: Severe pain can induce rapid breathing.
4. High Altitudes: The body may respond to low oxygen levels at high
altitudes by increasing breathing rate.
5. Exercise: Overexertion can sometimes lead to hyperventilation.
Symptoms of Hyperventilation

● Rapid, deep breathing

● Dizziness or lightheadedness
● Tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or around the mouth
● Chest pain or tightness
● Dry mouth
● Muscle spasms
● Palpitations
● Confusion or difficulty concentrating
● Fainting
Symptoms of Hyperventilation

● Rapid, deep breathing

● Dizziness or lightheadedness
● Tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or around the mouth
● Chest pain or tightness
● Dry mouth
● Muscle spasms
● Palpitations
● Confusion or difficulty concentrating
● Fainting
First Aid for Hyperventilation

1.Stay Calm: The first step is to remain calm and try to reassure the person. Anxiety
and panic can worsen hyperventilation.

2. Encourage Slow Breathing: Guide the person to slow their breathing. You can
instruct them to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth, counting to
five for each inhale and exhale.

3. Breathing Techniques:

○ Pursed-Lip Breathing: Have the person breathe in slowly through their nose
and then exhale through pursed lips (as if they are blowing out a candle).
○ Diaphragmatic Breathing: Encourage them to breathe deeply using their
diaphragm (belly breathing), which can be more effective than shallow chest
breathing.
First Aid for Hyperventilation
4. Paper Bag Method (Use with Caution): If the person is not feeling better after
trying the above methods, you can have them breathe into a paper bag for a short
period (usually 6 to 12 breaths). This helps to increase CO2 levels in the blood.
However, this method should be used cautiously and not if there is any possibility
of a heart or lung condition, as it can be harmful in those cases.

5. Environment: Help the person find a quiet, calm place to sit down and relax.
Reducing sensory stimulation can help lower anxiety levels.

6. Medical Attention: If the person does not recover within a few minutes or if
they experience severe symptoms (such as chest pain, severe shortness of
breath, or fainting), seek immediate medical help. Hyperventilation can sometimes
be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
Preventing Hyperventilation

For individuals prone to hyperventilation, here are some preventive measures:

● Stress Management: Engage in regular stress-reducing activities like yoga,

meditation, or other relaxation techniques.
● Regular Exercise: Exercise can improve overall lung function and help manage
stress and anxiety.
● Breathing Exercises: Practicing regular breathing exercises can help maintain
proper breathing patterns.
● Counseling: For those with anxiety or panic disorders, counseling or therapy can be
beneficial in managing triggers.

Hyperventilation can be a frightening experience, but with the right knowledge and
techniques, it can be managed effectively. Understanding its causes and knowing how to
provide appropriate first aid can make a significant difference in helping someone through
an episode.
Choking
First aid for choking involves
different techniques depending
on whether the person choking
is an adult, child, or infant.
Here's a thorough explanation
of the steps to take in each
case:
Choking
Adult
1. Encourage Coughing:
○ If the adult can still breathe and speak, encourage them to keep coughing to try to expel the
object on their own.
2. Back Blows:
○ If coughing doesn't work and the person can't breathe, talk, or is making high-pitched noises,
stand behind them.
○ Lean them forward slightly and give five back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel
of your hand.
3. Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver):
○ Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around their waist.
○ Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the person's navel (belly button) but below
the breastbone.
○ Grasp your fist with your other hand and press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward
thrust.
○ Repeat thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unconscious.
4. Call Emergency Services:
○ If the person becomes unconscious, call emergency services immediately and begin CPR if
you are trained to do so.
Choking
Child (1 year and older)
1. Encourage Coughing:
○ If the child can still breathe and speak, encourage them to keep coughing to try to expel the
object on their own.
2. Back Blows:
○ Stand or kneel behind the child, depending on their size.
○ Lean the child forward slightly and give five back blows between the shoulder blades with the
heel of your hand.
3. Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver):
○ Stand or kneel behind the child.
○ Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the child's navel but below the breastbone.
○ Grasp your fist with your other hand and press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward
thrust.
○ Repeat thrusts until the object is expelled or the child becomes unconscious.
4. Call Emergency Services:
○ If the child becomes unconscious, call emergency services immediately and begin CPR if you
are trained to do so.
Choking
Infant (under 1 year)
1. Back Blows:
○ Sit down and hold the infant face down on your forearm, supporting their head and neck with
your hand.
○ Give five back blows between the infant's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
2. Chest Thrusts:
○ If back blows do not work, turn the infant face-up, keeping their head lower than their chest.
○ Use two fingers to give five quick chest thrusts on the breastbone just below the nipple line.
3. Repeat Steps:
○ Alternate between five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the
infant becomes unconscious.
4. Call Emergency Services:
○ If the infant becomes unconscious, call emergency services immediately and begin CPR if you
are trained to do so.

Important Notes
● Do not perform blind finger sweeps as this could push the object further into the airway.
● Seek immediate medical attention after any choking incident, even if the object is expelled, to
ensure no damage has occurred to the airway.
Choking

Important Notes
● Do not perform blind finger sweeps as this could push the object further into the airway.
● Seek immediate medical attention after any choking incident, even if the object is expelled, to
ensure no damage has occurred to the airway.
These steps are crucial for effectively responding to a choking incident and can save lives. Proper training
in first aid and CPR is highly recommended to ensure you can confidently and safely perform these
techniques.