What is it about ?
In an emergency, the victim may not be breathing. Artificial respiration is then necessary. For this purpose, there are different techniques using specific instruments. It is not always easy to use them. Some can only be used by trained people. For example, a paramedic can use a balloon with a mouthpiece, but placing a tube in the airways is only for doctors.
What techniques were used ?
The ventilation mask is a plastic mask that covers the mouth and nose. On the outside, it has a tube to which a balloon is connected. By pressing the balloon, air is blown through the tube into the mouth and lungs.
Sometimes it is necessary to use a ventilation mask with a mouthpiece inserted against the palate to the base of the tongue. This mask is more stable than a regular ventilation mask. Both can be used by the paramedic.
The laryngeal mask consists of a mask connected to a tube which is slipped to the respiratory tract. The tube has an inflatable balloon which is filled with air and by which it is firmly held in the throat. No special equipment is required for its installation. Outside, a balloon and oxygen can be connected. Ventilation is therefore easier and less tiring for the care provider.
Sometimes intubation is necessary, and this is the best way to give artificial respiration. A catheter is placed in the airways. Positioning is carried out using a special instrument (laryngoscope). Only doctors familiar with this technique are allowed to intubate. The doctor carefully checks whether the probe is actually in the airways and not in the esophagus.
If these techniques fail, a tracheostomy should be performed. For this, an incision is made in the neck, and a small cannula is slipped into it to directly connect the airways to the outside world.
What can you do ?
If a person suddenly collapses and has lost consciousness, does not react and does not breathe, resuscitation should be started immediately. It is very important to intervene quickly, not only to increase the chances of survival, but also to avoid the consequences of brain damage caused by lack of oxygen.
Resuscitation consists of providing respiratory assistance and performing cardiac massage.
If you have not had training in mouth-to-mouth mouth, you may be able to start cardiac massage without mouth-to-mouth. Thanks to cardiac massage, blood circulation continues to the brain and heart. For the first two minutes after cardiac arrest, the heart still has enough oxygen, so resuscitation can be successful even without mouth-to-mouth.
This simplified resuscitation technique is easier to perform and, thanks to it, more people are able to provide effective help during cardiac arrest. Cardiac massage should continue until medical help arrives or until the heart has returned to beating.
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