Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

3 Airway and Breathing

A lack of oxygen in the blood. A poorly functioning heart, bleeding, drug overdose, poisons or an injury to the chest, lungs, brain, or spine can result in the body not exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide normally.

Normal breathing usually requires little effort. It is mostly silent, and a person will be alert and able to speak easily. Skin colour and posture are normal.

Signs of Effective Breathing

• A normal heart rate • Quiet breathing effort • A regular pattern of breathing in and out • Regular and equal chest rise and fall

Anatomy of Airway and Breathing

Nasal cavity

Pharynx

An adult who is awake, alert and talking to you generally does not have any immediate airway problem. An adult who is breathing slower than normal (12 to 20 breaths/min) should be assessed for adequate breathing. A person with shallow breathing may not be getting enough oxygen even if their rate of breathing is within the normal range.

Mouth

Tongue

Trachea

Lungs

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