4. ASPHYXIA
Definition:
• A condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the
body that arises from being unable to breathe normally.
Leads to:
• Unconsciousness
• Respiratory Arrest
• Cardiac Arrest
5. SPECIFIC CAUSES OF ASPHYXIA
• Choking
• Drowning
• Hanging
• Strangling
• Throttling
• Asthma
• Hyperventilation
• Swelling of throat tissues
• Chest injuries
6. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF ASPHYXIA
Signs:
• Air hunger
• Cyanosis
Symptoms:
• Dyspnea (also known as breathlessness)
8. CHOKING (CONSCIOUS CASUALTY)
Signs & Symptoms:
Mild obstruction
• Casualty able to speak, cough and breathe.
Complete obstruction
• Casualty unable to speak, cough or breathe and may
become unconscious.
9. TREATMENT FOR CHOKING (HEIMLICH MANOEUVRE)
• Ask the casualty: “Are you choking?”
• If the casualty is breathing, encourage him or her to continue
coughing.
• Remove any obvious obstruction from the mouth.
• If casualty cannot breathe, start Heimlich Manoeuvre or
Chest Thrust immediately.
10. • Stand behind the casualty and put your arms around the
upper part of his or her abdomen.
• Ask the casualty to bend forward slightly.
• Clench your fist and place it (thumb inwards) between the
navel and bottom of the breastbone.
TREATMENT FOR CHOKING (HEIMLICH MANOEUVRE)
11. • Grasp your fist with your other hand.
• Pull sharply inwards and upwards until the obstruction is
cleared or the casualty becomes unconscious.
• After the obstruction is cleared, advise the casualty to see a
doctor.
TREATMENT FOR CHOKING (HEIMLICH MANOEUVRE)
12. TREATMENT FOR CHOKING (CHEST THRUST)
This manoeuvre is applied for obese or pregnant casualty.
• Stand behind the casualty and place your fist (thumb
inwards) at 2 fingers breath above the notch of the sternum.
• Grasp the fist with the other hand and perform backward
thrusts.
• Continue until the obstruction is cleared or the casualty
becomes unconscious.
13. DROWNING
• Death of drowning normally occurs when air cannot get into
the lungs.
14. TREATMENT FOR DROWNING
• Carry casualty away from the water.
• Lay him on his back.
• Perform ABC Check.
• Prepare to resuscitate or perform CPR if necessary.
• Put casualty in recovery position.
• Call 995 for an ambulance.
• Remove wet clothing and protect casualty from cold.
15. HANGING, STRANGLING & THROTTLING
Recognition:
• A constricting article and marks around the neck.
• Rapid, distressed breathing.
• Impaired Consciousness.
• Grey-blue skin.
• Congestion of the face (prominent veins, tiny red spots on
the face or on the white area of the eyes).
16. TREATMENT FOR HANGING, STRANGLING &
THROTTLING
• Quickly remove any constriction.
• Check for ABC.
• Prepare to resuscitate or perform CPR if necessary.
• If breathing is present, put casualty in recovery position.
• Call 995 for an ambulance.
17. INHALATION OF FUMES
Remove casualty from danger before examination.
• Call 995 for an ambulance and related authority.
• Protect yourself first before entering the scene.
• Remove casualty from danger and into fresh air.
18. TREATMENT FOR INHALATION OF FUMES
• If casualty is unconscious, open airway, check breathing and
pulse.
• Prepare to resuscitate or perform CPR if necessary.
19. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - HYPERVENTILATION
Excessive breathing increases oxygen intake and causes
chemical changes that produce the symptoms of the
condition.
Causes:
• Excitement
• Hysteria
• Other emotions
20. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - HYPERVENTILATION
Recognition:
• Normal skin colour.
• Unnaturally fast, deep breathing.
• Attention seeking behaviour.
• Dizziness and Faintness
• Cramps in hands and feet.
21. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - HYPERVENTILATION
Treatment:
• Firm reassurance.
• Encourage casualty to take slow, regular breaths.
• Instruct casualty to breathe in and out of a paper bag until
symptoms disappear.
22. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - ASTHMA
Breathing problem resulting from sudden or progressive
narrowing of the airway.
Causes:
• Exercise
• Allergies e.g. pollen
• Cold air
• Some drinks
• Preservatives
• Anxiety / Emotional Stress
• Dust
• Food additives
• Stress
• Smoke
23. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - ASTHMA
Recognition:
• Casualty may be sitting up.
• Moderate to severe breathing difficulty.
• Sometimes wheezing.
• Sometimes coughing.
• Possibly paleness, sweating, cyanosis of lips, ear lobes and
fingertips.
• May be quiet.
• Possibly unconscious.
24. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - ASTHMA
Treatment:
• Help casualty into a comfortable sitting position.
• Do not make the casualty lie down.
• Reassure casualty.
• Help in administering any medications that have been
prescribed for the casualty.
25. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - ASTHMA
Treatment:
• Ensure adequate fresh air.
• Ask casualty to breathe slowly and deeply.
• Seek medical aid.
• If casualty is unconscious, seek medical aid immediately.
• If casualty stops breathing or becomes unconscious, open
airway, check breathing and pulse, and be ready to
resuscitate if necessary.
• Dial 995 for an ambulance.
