Causes of Hypoxia

1
Causes of Hypoxia

• Hanging
• Strangling
• Throttling
• Drowning
• Suffocation
• Smoke and fumes
• Puncture wound to the chest
• Weight on the chest
• Asthma
• Hyperventilation

2
ACTION
Rescue Only if safe to do so! Airway Cut the
constrictions Remove from the water Remove
sand Remove plastic bag Clear the
airway Breathing Mouth to mouth
ventilation Circulation Chest compressions
3
Hyperventilation Recognition

• Check Response
• Eyes, movement, speech
• Check Airway
• Clear
• Check Breathing
• Unnatural, fast, deep
• Check Circulation
• nothing special to help recognition

4
HyperventilationRecognition
Other Recognition Features

• May be unable to speak
• Attention seeking behaviour
• Trembling
• Dizziness
• Faintness
• Tingling
• Cramps in the hands feet

5
HyperventilationRecognition
History and External Clues

• Recent Fright
• Shock

6
Treatment of Hyperventilation

• Speak firmly but kindly
• Quiet place in private
• Rebreath into a paper bag
• (It does not have to be brown -) )
• Advise to visit their Doctor

7
Choking Recognition
Face blue/red ish Hands around throat Bulging
eyes Possibly no noise
8
CHOKING
TREATMENT Sit the casualty down Remove the hands
from throat Ask the casualty to cough Slap
between the shoulder blades up to 5 times
9
CHOKING
TREATMENT (Contd) If the back slap fails - try
the abdominal thrust
10
ASTHMA
RECOGNITION Wheezing Distress
Anxiety Grey/blue skin Dry tickly
cough Difficulty in breathing (particularly
breathing out) May be unable to speak May become
unconscious May stop breathing
11
ASTHMA
TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA Remove the cause or the
casualty Ease casualtys breathing (undo clothing
at neck, chest and waist) Allow them to take
medication
12
ASTHMA
TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA (Contd) Sit the casualty
down leaning forward on a support HOSPITAL
IF- It is their first attack Inhaler
(medication) having no effect (5-10
minutes) Monitor and record every 10 minutes Be
prepared to resuscitate