First aid second

• Hypoxia


  Lack of oxygen in the blood
• Causes of hypoxia


  • Lack of oxygen
  • Blocked airway
  • Abnormal heart and lung function
• Hypoxemia


  Low oxygen content in the blood (below the normal)
• Hypoxia


  Lack of oxygen supply to the body tissue (the most important one is the brain)
• Combination of gases include nitrogen dioxide
• Atelectasis: collapse of one of the lungs
• Cyanosis


  Bluish colour of the skin
• Effective breathing


  • Breathing that is quiet
  • Equal expansion of both sides of the chest when the person inhales
  • The person is alert and relaxed
  • Skin colour is normal
  • Speaking without taking a breath every few words

  
• Ineffective breathing


  • The casualty is struggling for breath or gasping for air
  • Breathing rate is too fast or too slow
  • Breathing rhythm is irregular
  • Breathing depth is too shallow or too deep
  • Breathing is noisy or raspy
  • The person is "getting tired" from trying to breathe
  • The person is sweating
  • Decreased level of consciousness
  • The lips, ears and fingernail beds turn blue—called cyanosis
  • Chest movement may be abnormal
• First aid for ineffective breathing has two parts: 1) Give first aid for the injury or condition and position the responsive casualty in the semi-sitting position if possible, 2) If breathing stops the casualty will become unresponsive, get medical help immediately and begin CPR
• Causes of airway and breathing emergencies


  • Injuries
  • Medical conditions
  • Poisoning
• Inhalation injuries

  Happen when the casualty inhales hot steam or hot (superheated) air, smoke or poisonous chemicals
• Signs and symptoms of inhalation injuries


  • Dizziness, restlessness, confusion
  • Pallor or cyanosis
  • Abnormal breathing rate or depth
  • Noisy breathing
  • Pain during breathing
  • Burns on the face, especially the mouth and nose
  • Singed hair on the face or head
  • Sooty or smoky smell on breath
  • Sore throat, hoarseness, barking cough, difficulty swallowing
• First aid for an inhalation injury


  1. Perform a scene survey and do a primary survey. Give first aid for the ABCs.

  2. Place a conscious casualty in the semi-sitting position and loosen tight clothing at the neck, chest and waist.

  3. If breathing stops, begin CPR starting with compressions.

  4. Give ongoing casualty care until handover to medical help.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)


  A term used to describe a group of respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Casualties present with on-going shortness of breath and appear to be struggling to breathe.
• Asthma


  A reactive airway illness in which the person has repeated shortness of breath, characterized by wheezing and coughing. A severe asthma attack can be fatal and requires immediate first aid.
• Common triggers that can cause asthma


  • Colds, upper airway infections
  • Pet dander
  • Insect bites, stings
  • Foods
  • Pollen, paint and smoke
• Signs and symptoms of a severe asthmatic attack


  • Shortness of breath with obvious trouble breathing
  • Coughing or wheezing
  • Fast, shallow breathing
  • Casualty sitting upright trying to breathe
  • Bluish colour in the face (cyanosis)
  • Anxiety, tightness in the chest
  • Fast pulse rate, shock
  • Restlessness at first, and then fatigue
• First aid for a severe asthma attack


  1. Perform a scene survey and a primary survey; send for medical help.

  2. Place the casualty in the most comfortable position for breathing. This is usually sitting upright with arms resting on a table.

  3. Help the casualty take prescribed medication.

  4. Give ongoing casualty care.

  5. If the unconscious casualty stops breathing, begin CPR.
• Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)


  The more common method of delivering medication for asthma
• To assist with a Metered Dose Inhaler


  1. Shake the container, then remove the cap.

  2. Tell the casualty to breathe out completely.

  3. Tell the casualty to breathe in slowly and deeply—as the casualty does, the MDI will be pressed to release the medication. The MDI can be in the mouth, or just in front of the mouth.

  4. Tell the casualty to hold their breath for 10 seconds so the medication can spread out in the lungs. Then tell them to breathe normally, so the medication won't be expelled. If more doses are needed, wait at least 30-60 seconds before repeating these steps.
• Spacers (Aerochamber®)


  Traps the particles of the spray, allowing the casualty to inhale more effectively over several breaths. Spacers make it simple to inhale the medication, and should always be used when available.
• If the casualty complains of throat irritation after using the inhaler, have them gargle or rinse the mouth with water.
• Anaphylaxis


  A severe allergic reaction which usually happens when a substance to which the casualty is very sensitive enters the body, although it can also be caused by exercise or have no known cause. Anaphylaxis is a serious medical emergency that needs urgent medical attention.
• Common early signs and symptoms of an allergy


  • Itchy flushed skin with hives
  • Sneezing and a runny nose
  • Coughing
• Severe allergic reaction


  Swelling of the face and neck, especially the lips and tongue. Breathing may become difficult if the swelling is internal too. There may be nausea and vomiting and the casualty may be anxious and feeling sense of impending doom as their blood pressure drops and they go into shock.
• First aid for a severe allergic reaction


  1. Perform a scene survey and a primary survey. Send for medical help.

  2. Place the casualty in the most comfortable position for breathing—usually sitting upright.

  3. Assist the casualty with their medication, usually this is an epinephrine auto-injector.

  4. Give ongoing casualty care.
• It is important to be familiar with, and follow the manufacturer's instructions, which is located on the side of the auto-injector.
• Check the expiry date. If the only auto-injector is an expired product, it may still save a life and should be administered anyway, if the indicated liquid remains clear.
• If the casualty complains of throat irritation after using the inhaler, have them gargle or rinse the mouth with water
• Allergic reaction


  When the immune system reacts to a substance the body encounters
• Most allergies are annoying but not dangerous
• Anaphylaxis


  A severe allergic reaction which usually happens when a substance to which the casualty is very sensitive enters the body, although it can also be caused by exercise or have no known cause
• Anaphylaxis can happen within seconds, minutes or hours of a substance entering the body. As a rule, the sooner the casualty's body reacts, the worse the reaction will be
• Anaphylaxis is a serious medical emergency that needs urgent medical attention
• Common early signs and symptoms of an allergy


  • Itchy flushed skin with hives
  • Sneezing and a runny nose
  • Coughing
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction


  • Swelling of the face and neck, especially the lips and tongue
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anxiety and feeling sense of impending doom
  • Drop in blood pressure and going into shock
• First aid for a severe allergic reaction


  1. Perform a scene survey and a primary survey

  2. Place the casualty in the most comfortable position for breathing—usually sitting upright

  3. Assist the casualty with their medication, usually this is an epinephrine auto-injector

  4. Give ongoing casualty care
• It is important to be familiar with, and follow the manufacturer's instructions, which is located on the side of the auto-injector
• Check the expiry date. If the only auto-injector is an expired product, it may still save a life and should be administered anyway, if the indicated liquid remains clear