Respiratory Arrest

TL;DR

Complete cessation of breathing, requiring resuscitation.

What is Respiratory Arrest?

Respiratory arrest occurs when a casualty stops breathing due to various medical conditions or traumatic injuries. It is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate intervention to restore breathing and prevent permanent brain damage or death.

Recognizing respiratory arrest involves observing signs such as absence of breathing, gasping, or unusual noises while attempting to breathe. Prompt action is crucial, starting with assessing the casualty for responsiveness and calling for emergency medical assistance.

Once respiratory arrest is confirmed, the responder initiates cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to manually pump oxygenated blood to vital organs. This involves chest compressions to circulate blood and rescue breaths to deliver oxygen into the casualty's lungs. The goal is to maintain circulation and oxygenation until professional medical help arrives or until the casualty shows signs of spontaneous breathing. Continuous monitoring of the casualty's condition is essential to adjust CPR efforts and provide timely updates to emergency responders.

First Aid for Respiratory Arrest

• Call Emergency Services: Dial 000 immediately.
• Open the Airway: Use the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver to open the airway.
• Perform Rescue Breaths: Give two initial rescue breaths, watching for the chest to rise.
• Start CPR: Begin chest compressions if the casualty does not start breathing.

Takeaway to remember

Respiratory arrest occurs when a person stops breathing, leading to a lack of oxygen supply to the body and brain. Immediate intervention is required.

Reference

• First Aid eBook