This is a process in which
natural breathing is restored by artificial means when breathing has seized, when
respiratory mechanism has failed. Some artificial means must be employed to
bring air into the lungs until natural breathing has restored.
natural breathing is restored by artificial means when breathing has seized, when
respiratory mechanism has failed. Some artificial means must be employed to
bring air into the lungs until natural breathing has restored.
It is important for the
first aider to start the procedure promptly since the nervous tissue especially
the higher centres of the brain does not survive for more than few minutes
after its oxygen supply has been arrested. Check pulse rate to see that the
heart is beating as is of no use for artificial respiration when the heart has
ceased to beat. Most methods of artificial respiration are designed to increase
and reduce alternatively the capacity of the thorax in such a way as to draw
air into the lungs and expel it again. Always clear the air ways off any
obstruction before commencing artificial respiration. There are several methods
of artificial respiration. The methods are:
first aider to start the procedure promptly since the nervous tissue especially
the higher centres of the brain does not survive for more than few minutes
after its oxygen supply has been arrested. Check pulse rate to see that the
heart is beating as is of no use for artificial respiration when the heart has
ceased to beat. Most methods of artificial respiration are designed to increase
and reduce alternatively the capacity of the thorax in such a way as to draw
air into the lungs and expel it again. Always clear the air ways off any
obstruction before commencing artificial respiration. There are several methods
of artificial respiration. The methods are:
1. Mouth to mouth method (kiss
of life)
of life)
2. Schafer’s method
3. Holger Nielson’s method.
4. Sylvester’s method
Mouth to Mouth Method
This is referred to as kiss
of life. This method of artificial respiration has been used for ages.
of life. This method of artificial respiration has been used for ages.
Procedure
1. Lie patient flat on his
back, remove tight clothing
back, remove tight clothing
2. Clear air ways so that no
removable obstruction is present, this can be achieved by wrapping a
handkerchief round the finger.
removable obstruction is present, this can be achieved by wrapping a
handkerchief round the finger.
3. Extend the victims head and
raise the lower jaw upward and forward with his mouth open. This is to make the
air way for victim.
raise the lower jaw upward and forward with his mouth open. This is to make the
air way for victim.
4. Use the thumb and the
fore-finger of the arm to hold the nostrils close.
fore-finger of the arm to hold the nostrils close.
5. Place a piece of cloth or
handkerchief over the patient’s mouth for hygienic purpose, through it to limit
the flow of air into the lungs.
handkerchief over the patient’s mouth for hygienic purpose, through it to limit
the flow of air into the lungs.
6. Take a deep breath of fresh
air.
air.
7. Place mouth over the victim
mouth and blow in air quickly observing the expansion of the chest.
mouth and blow in air quickly observing the expansion of the chest.
8. Release the hole on the
nose and allow aspiration of air through the nostrils.
nose and allow aspiration of air through the nostrils.
9. Remove mouth from the
victim and repeat every 4 – 5 seconds until normal breathing is restored. As
soon as natural breathing rhythm or breathing has been established, then place
victim in a recovery position.
victim and repeat every 4 – 5 seconds until normal breathing is restored. As
soon as natural breathing rhythm or breathing has been established, then place
victim in a recovery position.
Mouth to Nose Respiration
This method is used when
the mouth is unclear or damaged. The procedures are;
the mouth is unclear or damaged. The procedures are;
1. Lay victim flat on his
back.
back.
2. Place your hand on the
victim’s forehead.
victim’s forehead.
3. The lower jaw should be
pushed upward. This helps to extend the neck.
pushed upward. This helps to extend the neck.
4. The tongue should be
pinched forward.
pinched forward.
5. Use thumb and fore finger
to close the victim’s mouth.
to close the victim’s mouth.
6. Take a deep breath of fresh
air and place mouth over victim’s nose.
air and place mouth over victim’s nose.
7. Blow in air quickly and
release hand from victim’s mouth.
release hand from victim’s mouth.
8. Repeat until normal
breathing is restored.
breathing is restored.
Schafer’s Method
This is recommended for
fractures and drowning cases. Silvester’s is recommended when the person cannot
be laid on stomach with chest touching the ground due to burn injury.
fractures and drowning cases. Silvester’s is recommended when the person cannot
be laid on stomach with chest touching the ground due to burn injury.
Procedure
1. Lay the patient/victim on
his belly
his belly
2. Kneel over the victim’s
back and place the palm of your hands on the victim’s thin portion of the back
with fingers spreading on the ribs (the little finger just touching the lower
rib) and the two thumbs parallel to the spine and almost touching each other.
back and place the palm of your hands on the victim’s thin portion of the back
with fingers spreading on the ribs (the little finger just touching the lower
rib) and the two thumbs parallel to the spine and almost touching each other.
3. With the arm straight, lean
forward and apply pressure on the body of the victim for about three seconds.
forward and apply pressure on the body of the victim for about three seconds.
4. Now reduce the pressure
gradually and comeback to the original position for about two seconds
gradually and comeback to the original position for about two seconds
5. Repeat this process for
about twelve to fifteen times in a minute till such time the victim starts
breathing.
about twelve to fifteen times in a minute till such time the victim starts
breathing.
Holger Nielson’s Method
Holger Nielson’s method of
artificial respiration is used when the face is damaged. Infection is suspected
and the jaw is extensively fractured. The mouth to mouth and the mouth to nose
respiration will not be easily administered. It is used when the ribs and arm
are not injured. Back pressure and arm lift is used.
artificial respiration is used when the face is damaged. Infection is suspected
and the jaw is extensively fractured. The mouth to mouth and the mouth to nose
respiration will not be easily administered. It is used when the ribs and arm
are not injured. Back pressure and arm lift is used.
1. Lay the casualty in a prone
position with his chest resting on his hand i.e. face downward with head turned
to one side.
position with his chest resting on his hand i.e. face downward with head turned
to one side.
2. Kneel in front of the
victim and face his head.
victim and face his head.
3. Support his head and elbow
with your knee and leg.
with your knee and leg.
4. Spread your palms and
fingers on each scapular to exert pressure on the chest.
fingers on each scapular to exert pressure on the chest.
5. Swing his arm up and down
holding the elbows. This process enlarges the chest cavity and allows air into
the lungs. The whole exercise is repeated 10 – 20 times per minute until
natural respiration is restored.
holding the elbows. This process enlarges the chest cavity and allows air into
the lungs. The whole exercise is repeated 10 – 20 times per minute until
natural respiration is restored.
Sylvester’s Method
This method of artificial
respiration is applied where breathing has failed and where there is no injury
to chest and fore limbs.
respiration is applied where breathing has failed and where there is no injury
to chest and fore limbs.
1. Place the victim in a
supine position.
supine position.
2. Remove tight clothing from
the neck and abdomen.
the neck and abdomen.
3. Place victim’s shoulder on
a soft cloth or cushion with the head hanging backward.
a soft cloth or cushion with the head hanging backward.
4. Open and clear the mouth
from obstruction.
from obstruction.
5. Fold his forearms and put
them across the chest close to each other.
them across the chest close to each other.
6. Hold his arms below the
elbow and draw them out. This helps to enlarge the pleura cavity (into the
lungs).
elbow and draw them out. This helps to enlarge the pleura cavity (into the
lungs).
7. The hands are placed back
on the chest and repeat procedures.
on the chest and repeat procedures.
External Cardiac Massage
If the patient’s pulse is
not felt, his heart has stopped. This means circulation has stopped. Try to
restore circulation quickly by external cardiac massage.
not felt, his heart has stopped. This means circulation has stopped. Try to
restore circulation quickly by external cardiac massage.
·
Lay the injured person on his back on a firm
surface and knell at his side.
Lay the injured person on his back on a firm
surface and knell at his side.
·
Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of
the injured person’s sternum (breast bone).
Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of
the injured person’s sternum (breast bone).
·
Place your other hand on top of the first and
exert pressure downward.
Place your other hand on top of the first and
exert pressure downward.
·
Then quickly release the pressure.
Then quickly release the pressure.
·
Repeat this cycle 60 times per minute.
Repeat this cycle 60 times per minute.