Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

3 Airway and Breathing

Calm the patient and reassure them. Encourage the patient to breathe slowly, deeply, and evenly to help relieve their symptoms. One helpful technique is to have the patient breathe with you, matching their breathing to your own normal rate and depth. • Position yourself in front of the patient at eye level. Maintain eye contact with the patient while you continue to encourage and reassure them. • Speak calmly and firmly. Tell the patient to look at you. Explain that you want them to breathe with you and that it will help them.

Patients with an injury to the head or neck or with a MOI that suggests such an injury must have their c-spine protected. Try to roll the patient as a unit and avoid twisting or overextending the neck when clearing the airway. First Aider in Action: Part 2 When you arrive at reception you see one of the office staff, Cindy, sitting in a chair surrounded by others. She is a 48-year-old woman with a history of asthma. She is conscious and appears agitated. She can only speak in short three to five word sentences. You clearly hear a wheezing sound as she exhales. Is Cindy’s airway patent? How will you proceed with your assessment?

• A patient that is hyperventilating should seek medical assessment and care. Some serious illnesses and conditions can cause hyperventilation.

108

www.preohs.com