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Supplements - First Aid for Truckers

The ABC of Breathing Emergencies

Sufficient Oxygen Supply:

Airway:
If the airway is not open, a person cannot breathe.

Breathing:
There must be adequate oxygen available. If the person is trapped in a confined area, ensure enough clean air is getting to them.

Circulation:
Oxygen gets transported to the vital organs via blood, therefore normal blood flow must be maintained to carry oxygen to the tissues.

Based on the above, breathing emergencies are therefore caused by the following situations:

  • Obstruction of the airway
  • Lack of oxygen in the air
  • Interruption of the heart-lung action

NB: If the brain is deprived of oxygen for more than four minutes, brain damage may occur!

Artificial Respiration

  1. Gently tap casualty on the shoulder and shout: "Are you OK?"
  2. If there is no response, look, listen and feel for signs of breathing.
  3. If none of these signs are present, call out for help to attract attention of anyone who may be able to assist.
  4. Position the casualty. Place the casualty on their back, supporting the head and neck. Use extreme care as neck or back may be injured.
  5. Open the airway. Gently tilt the head back by placing one hand on the forehead and the other under the chin.
  6. Reassess breathing. Look, listen and feel again for signs of breathing for up to 10 seconds - opening the airway may have restored normal breathing.
  7. If no breathing is detected, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by gently pinching nose closed and giving two slow, full breaths.
  8. Check the pulse. Allow 5 to 10 seconds to detect a possible weak pulse.
  9. Send for help. Do not leave a non-breathing casualty alone while calling for medical assistance!
  10. Resume mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Ventilate the lungs every 5 seconds for an adult and every 4 seconds for a child.
  11. Recheck the pulse after the first minute of artificial respiration

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