Choking and Breathing Problems
There are a few websites out there that attempt to elaborate on airway difficulties, choking and general breathing problems. Breathing is of course a serious matter and time is precious. Your ability to actually help them at the scene depends on the reason for the shortness of breath. Take these simple steps, but if the person can’t talk, CALL 911 first!
Choking: Quickly determine if the person is choking, having an asthma attack, or unable to breath from another serious illness. Choking is usually sudden onset difficulty breathing. You may try the Heimlich manuver to save their life:
The Heimlich maneuver is an emergency technique for preventing suffocation when a person’s airway (windpipe) becomes blocked by a piece of food or other object. It can be used safely on both adults and children, but most experts do not recommend it for infants less than 1 year old. You can also perform the maneuver on yourself.
For a conscious person who is sitting or standing, position yourself behind the person and reach your arms around his or her waist. Place your fist, thumb side in, just above the person’s navel and grab the fist tightly with your other hand. Pull your fist abruptly upward and inward to increase airway pressure behind the obstructing object and force it from the windpipe. The procedure may need to be repeated several times before the object is dislodged.
ASTHMA: The person having the asthma attack will probably have a long history of asthma, and will have already done most of the self treatment medications available at the scene. If it’s not improving by the fourth or fifth attempt at the patient’s own medicine (usually Albuterol), then start heading for the hospital. If the medication is Albuterol, they can continue to use the inhaled medicine as much as needed ( as the need to breath supercedes the side effects of the Albuterol)
If it’s a rapid onset swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, it may be an overwhelming sudden allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. If that’s the case, it’s time to call 911. Give 50mg if Benadryl immediately if available. Don’t attempt to drive the person to the hospital or clinic. They may die on the way, and you can’t help them if your stuck in traffic or trying to negotiate traffic behind the wheel.
OTHER SHORTNESS OF BREATH: While asthma and choking are the two most causes of acute breathing difficulty, there may be many other reasons for shortness of breath. These may include but are not limited to pnuemonia, viruses, heart attack, blood clot in the lung, an inhaled foreign object, or congestive heart failure. In every case, any breathing problem needs to be evaluated and followed up by a medical professional.
If all else fails and the person begins to become ash colored or blue, or collapses, begin CPR.
