Breathing difficulties - first aid
Alternative names:
Difficulty breathing - first aid; dyspnea - first aid; shortness
of breath - first aid
First aid:
- Call 911 (or appropriate local emergency assistance telephone
number) immediately.
- Check the victim's airway, breathing and circulation.
If necessary, BEGIN RESCUE BREATHING, CPR,
AND BLEEDING CONTROL.
- Loosen any constricting clothing.
- Assist the victim with any prescribed medication (such
as an asthma inhaler
or home oxygen).
- Continue to monitor the victim's breathing and circulation
until medical help arrives. Do not mistake drowsiness
for an improvement in the victim's condition. Do not assume
that the victim's condition is improving if you can no longer
hear wheezing.
- If there are no open wounds
but the victim's chest moves in an uneven way while breathing,
suspect broken ribs. Firmly support the injured side.
- If there are open wounds in the neck or chest, they must
be closed immediately, especially if air bubbles appear
in the wound. Bandage
such wounds at once.
- A "sucking" chest wound allows air to enter the victim's
chest cavity with each breath; this can cause a collapsed
lung. Bandage the wound with plastic wrap, a plastic
bag, or gauze pads covered with petroleum jelly, sealing
it except for one corner. This allows trapped air to escape
from the chest but prevents air from entering the chest
through the wound.
Do not:
- DO NOT give the victim anything (food or drink) by mouth.
- DO NOT move the victim (unless it is absolutely necessary)
if there has been a chest or airway injury.
- DO NOT place a pillow under the victim's head if he or
she is lying down. This can close the airway.
- DO NOT place the victim in an uncomfortable position.
- DO NOT wait to see if the victim's condition improves
before getting medical help. Get help immediately.
Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics
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