Asphyxia or
asphyxiation is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body
that arises from abnormal breathing. An example of asphyxia is choking. Asphyxia
causes generalized hypoxia, which affects primarily the tissues and organs.
There are many circumstances that can induce asphyxia, all of which are
characterized by an inability of an individual to acquire sufficient oxygen
through breathing for an extended period of time. Asphyxia can cause coma or
death.
asphyxiation is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body
that arises from abnormal breathing. An example of asphyxia is choking. Asphyxia
causes generalized hypoxia, which affects primarily the tissues and organs.
There are many circumstances that can induce asphyxia, all of which are
characterized by an inability of an individual to acquire sufficient oxygen
through breathing for an extended period of time. Asphyxia can cause coma or
death.
Types of
Asphyxia
Asphyxia
A. mechanical asphyxia:
Smothering:
Smothering is a form of asphyxia caused by mechanical occlusion of external air
passages, which include the nose or mouth by hand, cloth, plastic bag or any
other material.
Smothering is a form of asphyxia caused by mechanical occlusion of external air
passages, which include the nose or mouth by hand, cloth, plastic bag or any
other material.
2. Choking: Choking
is a form of asphyxia caused by mechanical occlusion of the lumina of the air
passages by a solid object. (Café coronary)
is a form of asphyxia caused by mechanical occlusion of the lumina of the air
passages by a solid object. (Café coronary)
3. Throttling:
Throttling is the manual strangulation
Throttling is the manual strangulation
4. Strangulation
By hands (throttling)
By ligature
By hanging
B.
chemical asphyxia:
chemical asphyxia:
Chemical asphyxia
involves the reaction between a chemical and tissue/cell that results in the
interference of oxygen uptake, release, and/or utilization. Examples of
chemical asphyxiants include carbon monoxide (CO), cyanide (CN), and hydrogen
sulfide (H2 S)
involves the reaction between a chemical and tissue/cell that results in the
interference of oxygen uptake, release, and/or utilization. Examples of
chemical asphyxiants include carbon monoxide (CO), cyanide (CN), and hydrogen
sulfide (H2 S)
C.
environmental asphyxia:
environmental asphyxia:
Environmental
Asphyxia is due to insufficient oxygen in the environment. Deaths are almost
always accidental. An oxygen concentration of 16% or less is dangerous, and
with 5% concentration, consciousness is lost rapidly and death occurs within a
few minutes.
Asphyxia is due to insufficient oxygen in the environment. Deaths are almost
always accidental. An oxygen concentration of 16% or less is dangerous, and
with 5% concentration, consciousness is lost rapidly and death occurs within a
few minutes.
Signs and
Symptoms of Asphyxia
Symptoms of Asphyxia
Any of the following
symptoms can lead to asphyxia.
symptoms can lead to asphyxia.
1.
Difficulty
and/ or noisy breathing, which may ultimately lead to cessation
Difficulty
and/ or noisy breathing, which may ultimately lead to cessation
2.
Rapid
pulse
Rapid
pulse
3.
High
blood pressure (hypertension)
High
blood pressure (hypertension)
4.
Cyanosis
of the face
Cyanosis
of the face
5.
Swollen
veins on the head and neck
Swollen
veins on the head and neck
6.
Convulsions
Convulsions
7.
Paralysis
Paralysis
8.
Slowly
losing consciousness
Slowly
losing consciousness
General
treatment
treatment
It is necessary to
give first aid and if necessary, CPR, to any patient who is at risk of
asphyxia. Steps will vary per scenario.
give first aid and if necessary, CPR, to any patient who is at risk of
asphyxia. Steps will vary per scenario.
Have someone call for
emergency medical services immediately.
emergency medical services immediately.
Choking
Perform Heimlich
Maneuver (which will vary in adults, children, and pregnant women) to remove
the object
Maneuver (which will vary in adults, children, and pregnant women) to remove
the object
Drowning
Safely remove the
victim from the water.
victim from the water.
Gas poisoning
Get the victim into
fresh air only if it is safe to go in the place. Evacuate anyone else in the
same establishment.
fresh air only if it is safe to go in the place. Evacuate anyone else in the
same establishment.
Suffocation
Remove anything
blocking the airway, such as plastic bags immediately
blocking the airway, such as plastic bags immediately
Strangulation
Remove the object
used to strangle immediately
used to strangle immediately
Asthma attack
Assist the victim to
sit upright and assist to medication.
sit upright and assist to medication.
For all victims of
asphyxiation,
asphyxiation,
Loosen any tight
clothing, especially around the neck.
clothing, especially around the neck.
Check for airway,
breathing and circulation
breathing and circulation
If the victim is
unconscious and not breathing with no pulse, perform CPR. To do CPR
unconscious and not breathing with no pulse, perform CPR. To do CPR
Place own hand on the
middle’s chest and entangle the second hand on top of the first. Give 30 chest compressions,
followed by 2 rescue breaths.
middle’s chest and entangle the second hand on top of the first. Give 30 chest compressions,
followed by 2 rescue breaths.
To give a rescue
breath, tilt the chin upward and backwards to prevent any obstruction in the
airways. Pinch nostril of casualty and seal the mouth of the victim using own
mouth.
breath, tilt the chin upward and backwards to prevent any obstruction in the
airways. Pinch nostril of casualty and seal the mouth of the victim using own
mouth.
Repeat cycle of 30
chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until signs of circulation are
perceived.
chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until signs of circulation are
perceived.
If the victim has
pulse but not breathing, give rescue breaths.
pulse but not breathing, give rescue breaths.
Do not leave victims
of asphyxia alone at all times, even if consciousness is regained.
of asphyxia alone at all times, even if consciousness is regained.
First aid
management of asphyxia due to drowning
management of asphyxia due to drowning
Drowning – Lift the
person from the water. Loosen all tight clothing’s from around the neck and
waist. Remove the foreign body and mud from the throat. If the injured breathes
keep him warm and give smelling salt to inhale. If breathing has stopped start
artificial respiration immediately.
person from the water. Loosen all tight clothing’s from around the neck and
waist. Remove the foreign body and mud from the throat. If the injured breathes
keep him warm and give smelling salt to inhale. If breathing has stopped start
artificial respiration immediately.
Methods
of Artificial Respiration:
of Artificial Respiration:
(a) Prone
method of artificial respiration: It is one of the best method of artificial respiration. Loosen the
clothing’s from around the neck of the injured. Place him on a flat surface in
a face down position, one arm extended other arm bent. The head is to rest on
the bent arm and turned sideways. Place yourself astride on a kneeling position
and facing the injured head .Place your hand flat over lower part of the back covering
the lower ribs, on both sides keeping your arm straight. Gradually apply your
weight forward on to the injured to produce a firm pressure.
method of artificial respiration: It is one of the best method of artificial respiration. Loosen the
clothing’s from around the neck of the injured. Place him on a flat surface in
a face down position, one arm extended other arm bent. The head is to rest on
the bent arm and turned sideways. Place yourself astride on a kneeling position
and facing the injured head .Place your hand flat over lower part of the back covering
the lower ribs, on both sides keeping your arm straight. Gradually apply your
weight forward on to the injured to produce a firm pressure.
By this means the air
is forced out of the injured lung. Now raise your body backwards slowly to
remove the pressure but keeping your hands in position. Repeat this forward and
backward movement every 4—5 seconds i.e. 12—15 times per minute. Continue the
process for hours if necessary until he recovers or declared dead by the
physician.
is forced out of the injured lung. Now raise your body backwards slowly to
remove the pressure but keeping your hands in position. Repeat this forward and
backward movement every 4—5 seconds i.e. 12—15 times per minute. Continue the
process for hours if necessary until he recovers or declared dead by the
physician.
(b) Mouth
to Mouth Breathing Method: It
is also a very superior type of artificial respiration. Loosen the tight
clothing’s from the neck and clean the mouth. Place him on his back and extend
the neck by pulling the jaw upwards and towards the head & close the nose.
Always keep the chin—up. Then, you take a deep breath and put your mouth to the
mouth of the victim and blow forcefully. When the chest moves take your mouth
off and let the victim exhale passively. Then blow the next deep breath. First
few breaths should be forceful and rapid then blow every 4 seconds.
to Mouth Breathing Method: It
is also a very superior type of artificial respiration. Loosen the tight
clothing’s from the neck and clean the mouth. Place him on his back and extend
the neck by pulling the jaw upwards and towards the head & close the nose.
Always keep the chin—up. Then, you take a deep breath and put your mouth to the
mouth of the victim and blow forcefully. When the chest moves take your mouth
off and let the victim exhale passively. Then blow the next deep breath. First
few breaths should be forceful and rapid then blow every 4 seconds.
Continue the blowing
till regular breathing starts. If the chest does not move, improve the position
of the head by keeping the head and neck extended and chin up position and then
blow forcefully. When the victim recovers give him the treatment of shock.
till regular breathing starts. If the chest does not move, improve the position
of the head by keeping the head and neck extended and chin up position and then
blow forcefully. When the victim recovers give him the treatment of shock.
First aid
treatment of asphyxia due to electrocution:
treatment of asphyxia due to electrocution:
Take these actions
immediately while waiting for medical help:
immediately while waiting for medical help:
·
Turn off
the source of electricity, if possible. If not, move the source away from you
and the person, using a dry, nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or
wood.
Turn off
the source of electricity, if possible. If not, move the source away from you
and the person, using a dry, nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or
wood.
·
Begin CPR
if the person shows no signs of circulation, such as breathing, coughing or
movement.
Begin CPR
if the person shows no signs of circulation, such as breathing, coughing or
movement.
·
Try to
prevent the injured person from becoming chilled.
Try to
prevent the injured person from becoming chilled.
·
Apply a
bandage, Cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, if available, or
a clean cloth. Don’t use a blanket or towel, because loose fibers can stick to
the burns.
Apply a
bandage, Cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, if available, or
a clean cloth. Don’t use a blanket or towel, because loose fibers can stick to
the burns.
First aid
treatment of asphyxia due to polluted environment:
treatment of asphyxia due to polluted environment:
i.
Suffocation by smoke
Suffocation by smoke
Protect yourself by a
towel or a cloth (preferably wet) over your mouth and nose.
towel or a cloth (preferably wet) over your mouth and nose.
Keep low and remove
the casualty as quickly as possible away from the area.
the casualty as quickly as possible away from the area.
ii. Suffocation
by Poisonous Gases
by Poisonous Gases
Carbon Monoxide
(lighter than air): This gas is present in car-exhaust fumes, in household coal
gas: during incomplete combustion of charcoal stoves and in coal mines.
(lighter than air): This gas is present in car-exhaust fumes, in household coal
gas: during incomplete combustion of charcoal stoves and in coal mines.
Management
The first aid
treatment consists in removing the person from the area, applying artificial
respiration and giving pure oxygen, if available.
treatment consists in removing the person from the area, applying artificial
respiration and giving pure oxygen, if available.
Ensure circulation of
fresh air before entering the room by opening the doors and windows.
fresh air before entering the room by opening the doors and windows.
Before entering the
enclosed space take two or three deep breaths and hold your breath as long as
you can.
enclosed space take two or three deep breaths and hold your breath as long as
you can.
Crawl along the floor
(as the gas is lighter than air)
(as the gas is lighter than air)
Remove the casualty
as quickly as possible to fresh air.
as quickly as possible to fresh air.
Loosen his clothes at
neck and waist and give artificial respiration, if asphyxiated.
neck and waist and give artificial respiration, if asphyxiated.
Carbon-dioxide
and other (heavier than air)
and other (heavier than air)
This gas is found in
coal mines, deep unused wells and sewers. Various other gases such as leaking
refrigerator gases; compressed gases used for cooking and lighting may also
cause suffocation.
coal mines, deep unused wells and sewers. Various other gases such as leaking
refrigerator gases; compressed gases used for cooking and lighting may also
cause suffocation.
Management:
Observe all the
precautions mentioned above.
precautions mentioned above.
Enter in an upright
position (as the gas is heavier than air and collects near the floor)
position (as the gas is heavier than air and collects near the floor)
Remove the casualty
as quickly as possible to fresh air.
as quickly as possible to fresh air.
Wherever ventilation
is not possible and deadly poisonous gas is suspected, use a gas mask to
protect yourself.
is not possible and deadly poisonous gas is suspected, use a gas mask to
protect yourself.
