Breathing EmergenciesRespiratory distress
Respiratory arrest
Breathing Emergencies (continued
Respiratory distress is a condition in which breathing becomes difficult.
Respiratory arrest occurs when breathing stops.
By recognizing respiratory distress and taking immediate action, you may prevent respiratory arrest.
Signals of Respiratory Distress
Slow or Rapid Breathing
Loosen any tight clothing.
Causes of Conscious Choking
Drinking alcohol before or during meals.
Wearing dentures.
Eating while talking or laughing, or eating too fast.
Walking, playing or running with food or objects in the mouth.
The universal signal of choking
Care for Conscious Choking—Adult or Child
If a person cannot cough, breathe or speak, assume the airway is obstructed.
Position yourself behind the victim and deliver cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is removed, they can breathe or becomes unconscious
Special Considerations
If a victim is pregnant or too large for you to give abdominal thrusts, give chest thrusts.
If you are alone, you may have to give abdominal thrusts to yourself. This can be done by—
Leaning over a firm object and pressing your abdomen into it.
Making a fist and giving yourself quick, upward thrusts.
Care for Conscious Choking—Infant