The respiratory and circulatory systems of the body hold the most important processes that sustain life. That’s why these two should work hand in hand effectively. When a person suffers from a certain abnormality in his heart’s functions, he would likely to experience difficulty in breathing. In the same way, the heart and other cardiovascular organs of the body would get affected once there is absence or lack of oxygen breathed inside the body.
The condition of extreme deficiency in the supply of oxygen due to abnormal breathing is called asphyxiation, or asphyxia for short. Suffocation and attacks of asthma are common cases of this medical condition. Both of these can bring a sufferer to a comatose state or much worse, to death. Asphyxiation could occur anywhere, especially when there is a low or no supply of oxygen such as underwater, a dusty or heavily polluted environment, an enclosed room, and a place exposed to toxic chemicals. A person who gets electric shocked in a severe level could experience asphyxiation along with ventricular fibrillation that would lead to malfunctioning of the heart.
When someone suffers from asphyxiation that causes him to be unconscious and his heart to stop beating, an advisable immediate action is to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. Here are some key points to remember if you have never learned about this first aid treatment before:
- Clear the area or try to move the patient to a spacious and safer place if possible.
- Call for help, especially from medical experts or anyone knowledgeable of performing CPR.
- If you are the only immediate responder and there’s no any means of asking for help, start doing CPR right away.
- CPR basically includes 2-inch deep chest compressions or deeper. For adults, it would be best to make it as forceful as you can.
- Ideal timing for chest compressions is 100 times per minute.
- If there’s no progress, position the patient’s head backward and chest forward to provide a clearer airway. Perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if necessary, possible, and you’re comfortable with it.
- Repeat the process until the patient retrieves normal heartbeat and breathing or until the patient unfortunately loses his life.
Moreover, you can also make use of an automated external defibrillator or AED if it is available. This electronic lifesaver device basically functions as an artificial provider of energy pulses to the malfunctioning heart in order to restore its normal rhythm. Just refer to the user manual and also to the audiovisual prompt of the device to know what to do to make it work.
For more valuable details about CPR and AED, you can opt for Citywide CPR’s emergency medical services training programs. Check out their official website to know more about their CPR training courses or to let them know what you need with regards to emergency medical services. Start your way to become a more responsible immediate responder anytime and anywhere, especially at home where there is typically no medical expert to help you when such emergency calls. Go for an extensive CPR training at Citywide CPR right now!
