Page 86 - Participant Manual

First Aid Care for Respiratory Distress

When a person is experiencing a breathing emergency, it is important to act at once. In some breathing
emergencies, the oxygen supply to the body is greatly reduced, whereas in others the oxygen supply is cut
off entirely. If breathing stops or is restricted long enough, the person will become unresponsive, the heart
will stop beating and body systems will quickly fail. Recognizing that a person is having trouble breathing and
providing appropriate first aid care can save the person’s life.

You usually can identify a breathing problem by watching and listening to the person’s breathing and by
asking the person how he or she feels. If a person is having trouble breathing, do not wait to see if the
person’s condition improves. Call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number and provide appropriate first
aid care until help arrives:

■ If you know the cause of the respiratory
distress (for example, an asthma attack or
anaphylaxis) and the person carries medication
used for the emergency treatment of the
condition, offer to help the person take his or
her medication.

■ Encourage the person to sit down and lean
forward. Many people find that this position
helps to make breathing easier. Providing
reassurance can reduce anxiety, which may
also help to make breathing easier.

■ If the person is responsive, gather additional information by interviewing the person and performing a
head-to-toe check. Remember that a person having breathing problems may find it difficult to talk. Try
phrasing your questions as “yes” or “no” questions so the person can nod or shake his or her head in
response instead of making the effort to speak. You may also be able to ask bystanders what they know
about the person’s condition.

■ Be prepared to give CPR and use an AED if the person becomes unresponsive and you are trained in
these skills.

Asthma

Many people have asthma, a chronic illness in
which certain substances or conditions, called
triggers, cause inflammation and narrowing of
the airways, making breathing difficult. Common
triggers include exercise, temperature extremes,
allergies, air pollution, strong odors (such as
perfume, cologne and scented cleaning products),
respiratory infections, and stress or anxiety. The
trigger causes inflammation and swelling, which
causes the opening of the airways to become
smaller and makes it harder for air to move in and © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
out of the lungs. People who have asthma usually
know what can trigger an attack and take measures
to avoid these triggers.

A person who has been diagnosed with asthma may take two forms of medication. Long-term control
medications are taken regularly, whether or not signs and symptoms of asthma are present. These
medications help prevent asthma attacks by reducing inflammation and swelling and making the airways
less sensitive to triggers. Quick-relief (rescue) medications are taken when the person is experiencing

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