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Suffocation, Shock And Asphyxia
Suffocation is a condition caused due to insufficient amount of oxygen supply in the immediate environment .
Shock is a condition of severe depression of vital organs of the body associated with poor blood circulation to the tissues. It usually accompanies severe injuries or emotional upset, it may result from poisonous chemicals or food, pain, excessive bleeding, stroke, heart attack etc.
Signs of shock include; cold or clumsy skin, pale face, rapid or slow pulse rate, chilled feelings, feelings of nausea or vomiting and shallow breathing.
Shock can kill and it is therefore necessary to save life by preventing shock though correcting the causes for that particular shock as much as possible.
Asphyxia is simply the deficiency of oxygen in blood or the condition in which there is lack of oxygen in the lungs and these arises from lack of sufficient oxygen in the surrounding
Asphyxia is caused by either poisoning, drowning, hanging or strangulation, blocked throat or suffocation.
Its symptoms include; rapid pulse rate which slows down thereafter, difficulties in breathing, dizziness and fatigue unconsciousness swelling of the neck etc.
Before treating for asphyxia, it is important to first know the cause of asphyxia and to remove the cause from the victim. Then administer artificial respiration immediately and if incase the lungs are damaged, send him to the hospital
First Aid For Suffocation , Shock and Asphyxia
First aid for breathing difficulties aims to provide immediate assistance to someone who is having trouble breathing. Here are the steps to follow:
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Assess the situation: Ensure your safety and that of the person experiencing breathing difficulties. If necessary, move the person to a safe area away from any potential hazards or sources of respiratory distress.
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Stay calm and reassure the person: Anxiety and panic can worsen breathing difficulties. Stay calm and provide reassurance to the person, as this can help them relax and breathe more easily.
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Help the person sit up: Assist the person into a comfortable sitting position, preferably upright. This helps to reduce strain on the respiratory muscles and allows for better airflow.
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Loosen tight clothing: If the person is wearing tight clothing, such as a tie, scarf, or belt, help them loosen or remove it to allow for unrestricted breathing.
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Encourage slow, deep breaths: Instruct the person to take slow, deep breaths, breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. This can help regulate their breathing and prevent hyperventilation.
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Assist with medication: If the person has a prescribed inhaler or respiratory medication for a known condition like asthma, assist them in using it as directed. However, do not administer someone else’s medication unless instructed to do so by a healthcare professional.
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Offer assistance with emergency medication: If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and is able to use it, help them administer the medication as directed.
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Call for emergency medical assistance: If the breathing difficulties are severe, worsen rapidly, or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms, call emergency services or seek medical help immediately.
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Monitor vital signs: Keep an eye on the person’s breathing rate, color of the skin and lips, and other vital signs. Report any significant changes to emergency responders or healthcare professionals.
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Stay with the person: Remain with the person until medical help arrives, providing reassurance and support. If the person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing, initiate CPR if you are trained to do so.
Remember, these first aid steps are meant to provide immediate assistance while waiting for professional medical help. Breathing difficulties can be caused by various factors, and proper diagnosis and treatment by healthcare professionals are essential for identifying and addressing the underlying cause.
Artificial Respiration
Artificial respiration is simply a method by which oxygen is supplied to a victim of asphyxia.
There are three methods:
- Mouth to mouth or mouth to nose (kiss of life)
- Holger -Nelsen method
- Sylvester method
1. Kiss of life
The victim is laid on his back and any debris is cleared from his mouth or throat. The head is tilted backwards and the first aider stands firmly with one leg a head of the other one and then kneels near the victim’s head and draws in a deep breath. He then pinches the victim’s nose using his fingers and then tightens his lips over his mouth and blows air through the victim’s mouth.
When the victim’s chest seems to rise, he removes his mouth to allow the chest to relax. This process is repeated several times until the victim improves. This method is however not applicable if the victim has taken poison, or there are physical injuries on his face and mouth or when the victim has poor dental hygiene or the mouth is infected with pathogens.
2. – Nelson method
This method is employed when the victim has facial injuries.The victim is laid on his stomach with his arms across his chest and head turned to one side.The first aider places his hands below the victim’s shoulder plate and presses hard counting up to three times then lift the victim and lowers him while pressing the fourth and the fifth time. This is repeated until the victim improves.
3. Sylvester method
The victim is laid facing up and some soft material e.g. mattress is placed under his shoulder so as to raise him up and allow the head to drop backwards.
The first aider kneels under the victim’s head facing the victim and grasps the victim’s arms at the wrist crossing and pressing them against the victim’s lower chest stretching and pulling them outwards, upwards and backwards as far as possible. This is repeated 15 times per minute until the victim recovers.