First Aid for Difficulty Breathing
Alternate Names : Difficulty Breathing, Shortness of Breath, Dyspnea
What are the treatments for the injury?
First aid is the most common treatment for someone having difficulty breathing.
Assist the person in using
oxygen
or an inhaler for lung disease, if appropriate.
Check for signs of circulation, such as normal breathing, coughing, or
movement in response to stimulation.
Contact the emergency medical
system immediately.
Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, if the person stops breathing.
Use 15 chest compressions for every 2 mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.
Stay with the person until medical assistance arrives.
Assume there may be other injuries if wounds are bad enough to injure the
chest. Do not allow the person to move around. Try to firmly support the
injured area without moving the head, neck, or spine. In some instances, to
help a person breathe, the head and back may need to be moved. Maintaining an
open airway and keeping the person breathing is most important.
If bubbles appear in the wound, there is probably an injury to the lung.
Bandage the wound at once.
Bandage the wound with something that will not allow air into the wound if
bubbles appear or there is a "sucking" sound. Plastic wrap or a plastic bag
will work. Air needs to escape through the wound, so leave one corner open.
The best way to seal the bandage is with petroleum jelly around three sides,
leaving one corner free.
Do not let the person eat or drink anything.
Try not to move the person, and obtain medical assistance as soon as
possible.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
If the person has suffered a major injury, treating his or her breathing
problem may cause an injury to some other organ. Helping the person breath may
cause further injuries to the neck or back. Maintaining an open airway and
keeping the person breathing is most important.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
A person who has difficulty breathing should carry a medical identification tag
listing his or her existing medical conditions. He or she should keep a
medication list handy. Any medications required for immediate help should be
carried at all times.
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