Emergency Response American Red Cross Instructor: Joel Bass MS ATC

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Emergency ResponseAmerican Red Cross Instructor
Joel Bass MS ATC
1995 USDOT First Responder Curriculum
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Breathing Emergencies I
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Respiratory System Review

• The respiratory system consists of the upper and
  lower airway and the lungs.
• Differences in Child and infant airways
• Smaller and more easily obstructed than an
  adults
• The tongue takes up more space than an adults
• The trachea is more flexible
• Breathing emergencies are the primary cause of
  cardiac arrest in infants and children.

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Recognizing Breathing Emergencies

• There are two types of breathing emergencies
• Respiratory distress
• Respiratory arrest
• By recognizing respiratory distress and taking
  immediate action, you may prevent respiratory
  arrest.
• Question - What are some causes of breathing
  emergencies?
• Question - What are some signs and symptoms of
  respiratory distress?

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Asthma

• Facts
• Narrows air passages
• Triggered by
• Allergic reaction to pollen/food/a drug/insect
  stings.
• Emotional stress/physical activity
• Signs and Symptoms
• Struggling to breathe
• Wheezing when exhaling

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Emphysema

• Facts
• Lungs lose ability to exchange carbon dioxide and
  oxygen effectively.
• Caused by
• Smoking usually develops over many year.
• Signs and Symptoms
• Shortness of breath
• Possible coughing, cyanosis, or high fever
• Advanced cases Restlessness, confusion, weakness

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Hyperventilation

• Facts
• Rapid breathing upsets bodys balance of oxygen
  and carbon dioxide
• Triggered by
• Fear/anxiety
• Injury to head/severe bleeding/illness
• Asthma
• Exercise
• Signs and Symptoms
• Shallow, rapid breathing
• Dizziness
• Numbness in finger/toes

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Anaphylaxis

• Facts
• Swelling or air passages restricts breathing
• Triggered by
• Food/insect stings/a drug
• Signs and Symptoms
• Skin rash
• Tightness in chest/throat
• Swelling of face/neck/tongue

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Care For Respiratory Distress

• A sitting position may help alleviate breathing
  difficulty.
• Keep victim from getting chilled or overheated.
• Help victim take needed medication
• Summon more advanced medical care
• Monitor vital signs

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Respiratory Arrest

• A life-threatening condition in which breathing
  stops.
• Caused by illness, injury, or choking
• Rescue breathing is required to provide oxygen to
  the non-breather who has a pulse
• You will determine if a victim needs rescue
  breathing during the initial assessment.
• Always follow body substance isolation (BSI)
  precautions when giving rescue breathing.

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Breathing Emergencies II
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Caring For Respiratory Arrest

• Video (Rescue Breathing)
• Adults 1 every 5 seconds
• Children 1 every 3 seconds
• Infants 1 every 3 seconds

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Skill Practice Rescue Breathing

• Video (Face Shield/Barriers)
• Health Precautions and Guidelines During
  Training
• Practice opening and airway and performing rescue
  breathing on a manikin.
• Properly clean the manikin after each use
• Find a partner
• Bring your skills sheets to the practice area.

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Breathing Emergencies III
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Airway Obstruction

• Anatomical - Airway blocked by anatomic structure
• Tongue
• Swollen tissues of mouth and throat
• Mechanical Airway blocked by foreign object
• Food
• Toy
• Fluids

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Airway Obstruction

• Partial
• Victim can still move air to and from lungs can
  cough, speak, breathe
• Complete
• Victim is unable to speak, breathe, cough no air
  movement.

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Caring For Airway Obstruction (Adult/Child)

• Video (Clearing an Obstructed Airway,
  Conscious/Unconscious)

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Skill Practice Obstructed Airway (Adult/Child)

• Airway Obstruction (Unconscious Adult/Child)
• Find a partner
• Bring your skills sheets to the practice area
• Airway Obstruction (Conscious Adult/Child)
• Find a partner
• Bring your skills sheets to the practice area

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Breathing Emergencies IV
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Airway Obstruction For Infants

• Video (Clearing an Obstructed Airway, Infant)

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Skill Practice Obstructed Airway

• Airway Obstruction (Unconscious Infant)
• Find a partner
• Bring your skills sheets to the practice area

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Assignments

• Reading Assignment Read Chapter 9 10
• Workbook Unit 9 10 (Turn in at the beginning of
  class)

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