Artificial Respiration: A Guide to Breathing for Someone in Need

When someone stops breathing or is having severe difficulty breathing, providing artificial respiration, also known as rescue breathing, can be life-saving. This technique involves manually providing air to the person's lungs until they can breathe on their own or until professional medical help arrives. Knowing the proper steps for administering artificial respiration is crucial for anyone who might find themselves in an emergency situation.

Recognizing the Need for Artificial Respiration

Before initiating artificial respiration, it is essential to assess the situation and determine if it's truly required. Key signs that someone isn't breathing or is in respiratory distress include:

• Absence of chest movement: Is the chest rising and falling?
• Lack of breath sounds: Can you hear or feel air coming from their mouth or nose?
• Blue discoloration (cyanosis): The skin, lips, or nail beds may appear bluish due to lack of oxygen.
• Unconsciousness: The person is unresponsive and not alert.
• Gasping or labored breathing: They may be struggling to breathe or making unusual noises.

If you observe one or more of these signs, immediately call for emergency medical assistance (e.g., 911 in the US, 112 in Europe). Describe the situation and follow the dispatcher's instructions. While waiting for help, begin artificial respiration.

Performing Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is a common and effective method of artificial respiration. Here's how to perform it:

1. Ensure Safety: Make sure the environment is safe for both you and the person needing assistance.
2. Position the Person: Lay the person flat on their back on a firm, flat surface.
3. Open the Airway: Use the head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver. Place one hand on their forehead and gently tilt the head back. Then, with your other hand, lift the chin to open the airway. Check the mouth for any obstructions such as food or foreign objects. If present, clear them out.
4. Seal and Breathe: Pinch the person's nose closed with your fingers. Take a deep breath, place your mouth tightly over the person's mouth, creating a tight seal.
5. Deliver Breaths: Give two rescue breaths. Each breath should last about 1 second, and you should see the chest rise. Allow the chest to fall between breaths.
6. Check for Circulation: After the initial two breaths, check for signs of circulation (pulse, movement, coughing or normal breathing). However, do not interrupt chest compressions for more than 10 seconds. If there is no sign of circulation, begin chest compressions and continue chest compressions and rescue breaths until medical help arrives.
7. Continue Rescue Breathing: If there are signs of circulation, continue rescue breathing by giving one breath every 5-6 seconds (about 10-12 breaths per minute).
8. Monitor: Continue to monitor the person for signs of breathing and circulation.

Important Considerations and Precautions

• Infection Risk: While the risk of infection during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is low, using a barrier device (like a CPR mask) can further minimize this risk.
• Chest Compressions: If the person has no pulse, combine rescue breaths with chest compressions.
• Infants and Children: The technique for infants and children is slightly different. Use smaller breaths, and cover both the mouth and nose of an infant with your mouth.
• Training: The best way to learn artificial respiration and CPR is to take a certified training course from a reputable organization like the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

hen to Stop

Continue artificial respiration until one of the following occurs:

• The person starts breathing on their own.
• Emergency medical personnel arrive and take over.
• You become physically exhausted and cannot continue.
• A doctor pronounces the person dead.

Knowing how to administer artificial respiration can make a significant difference in a life-threatening situation. Remember to stay calm, act quickly, and call for professional help as soon as possible. Regular training and practice are essential to ensuring you are prepared to respond effectively in an emergency.