RESUSCITATION – GENERAL INFORMATION (PART 2)
Pinch the patient’s nose between finger and thumb, take a deep breath and apply your lips firmly on the lips of the patient.
If this procedure or blood or vomit around the mouth makes you sick, place a clean handkerchief over the mouth and breathe through that.
If the mouth is injured or if it is difficult to breathe through the mouth, “mouth-to-nose” resuscitation will produce equally good results.
Breathe into the mouth and watch to see if the chest is rising. This will show that your breath is getting into the patient’s lungs. Then sit up and watch the chest collapse. This will show that the air is coming out. Take another deep breath and repeat the exercise.
For a child, breathe at the rate of about 20 per minute, and for adults about 10-15 per minute. As a rule a few quick breaths for a start, then settle into a routine.
If artificial respiration has to be maintained for some time, you may become tired. If there is someone with you, taking turns will make it easier. Keep it up until the patient starts breathing on his own.
If your patient starts breathing, even shallowly, time your breathing to coincide with his.
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