Breathing Emergencies Breathing Emergencies and Respiratory System and Respiratory System

OverviewOverview

Respiratory SystemRespiratory System

What is the purpose of the What is the purpose of the respiratory system?respiratory system? Supplies the body with oxygen through Supplies the body with oxygen through

the process of breathing (ventilation)the process of breathing (ventilation) Inhaling (breathing in) fills the lungs with Inhaling (breathing in) fills the lungs with

air, particularly oxygenair, particularly oxygen Exhaling (breathing out) forces air from the Exhaling (breathing out) forces air from the

lungs, particularly carbon dioxide lungs, particularly carbon dioxide

Respiratory System ReviewRespiratory System Review

Air passes from the Air passes from the nosenose and and mouthmouth, , through the through the pharynxpharynx (throat), (throat), passing the passing the larynxlarynx (voice box) and (voice box) and then down into the then down into the tracheatrachea (windpipe) (windpipe) in order to reach in order to reach the the lungslungs

Respiratory System ReviewRespiratory System Review

Air passes through the Air passes through the right and left bronchus, right and left bronchus, into the smaller into the smaller bronchiolesbronchioles

Exchange of OExchange of O2 2 and COand CO2 2

take place at the alveolitake place at the alveoli

Average adult breaths Average adult breaths 700-1000 ml of air per 700-1000 ml of air per breath, and breathes breath, and breathes 10-20 times per minute10-20 times per minute

Respiratory System ReviewRespiratory System Review

Differences between a child/infant and Differences between a child/infant and adult airwayadult airway Smaller and more easily obstructed than an Smaller and more easily obstructed than an

adultadult The tongue takes up more space than an adultThe tongue takes up more space than an adult The trachea is more flexibleThe trachea is more flexible Faster heart rate, therefore, increased rate of Faster heart rate, therefore, increased rate of

respirations is neededrespirations is needed The head only needs to tilt far enough to allow The head only needs to tilt far enough to allow

a breath ina breath in Breathing emergencies are the primary cause Breathing emergencies are the primary cause

of cardiac arrest in infants and childrenof cardiac arrest in infants and children

Breathing EmergenciesBreathing Emergencies

Without oxygen the brain will begin Without oxygen the brain will begin to dieto die 0 minutes0 minutes

Breathing stops, heart will soon stopBreathing stops, heart will soon stop 4-6 minutes4-6 minutes

Brain damage possibleBrain damage possible 6-10 minutes6-10 minutes

Brain damage likelyBrain damage likely >10 minutes>10 minutes

Irreversible brain damage certainIrreversible brain damage certain

Recognizing Breathing Recognizing Breathing EmergenciesEmergencies

There are two types of breathing There are two types of breathing emergencies:emergencies: Respiratory distress Respiratory distress andand respiratory arrestrespiratory arrest

By recognizing respiratory distress and By recognizing respiratory distress and taking immediate action, a first responder taking immediate action, a first responder may prevent respiratory arrestmay prevent respiratory arrest

Question 1Question 1 What are some causes of breathing What are some causes of breathing

emergencies?emergencies? Question 2Question 2

What are some signs and symptoms of What are some signs and symptoms of respiratory distress?respiratory distress?

Breathing EmergenciesBreathing EmergenciesSigns and Symptoms of Respiratory DistressSigns and Symptoms of Respiratory Distress

Abnormal breathingAbnormal breathing Breathing that is unusually slow, rapid, deep, or Breathing that is unusually slow, rapid, deep, or

shallowshallow Gasping for breathGasping for breath Unusual sounds (e.g., grunts, wheezing, gurgling)Unusual sounds (e.g., grunts, wheezing, gurgling)

Abnormal skin appearanceAbnormal skin appearance Skin is moist and appears flushed initiallySkin is moist and appears flushed initially Skin is pale, ashen, or bluish as the oxygen levels fallSkin is pale, ashen, or bluish as the oxygen levels fall

How the victim feelsHow the victim feels Shortness of breath (SOB)Shortness of breath (SOB) DizzinessDizziness Pain in the chest or tingling in the hands/feetPain in the chest or tingling in the hands/feet