Artificial respiration or artificial breathing is a life-saving technique used to supply air to a person whose breathing has failed or stopped. This skill is essential in emergency situations such as drowning, choking, drug overdose, or heart attack.

Knowing how to perform artificial breathing can make a difference between life and death. In this article, we will discuss the importance of this skill and how to perform it.

Why is Artificial Breathing Important?

Artificial breathing is a crucial lifesaving technique that can help to keep a person alive until medical professionals arrive.

In some cases, artificial breathing might be the only way to save someone’s life, especially if their airways are blocked and they can’t breathe on their own. In cases of a heart attack, the lack of oxygen can cause brain damage or other life-threatening complications.

Artificial breathing can be performed on infants, children, and adults. Artificial breathing can be used not only in cases of accidents, but it can also be used to treat those with chronic respiratory or heart diseases.

The Methods of Artificial Breathing

There are two primary methods of artificial breathing: mouth-to-mouth and bag-mask ventilation. Both of these methods involve blowing air into the person’s lungs to support their breathing.

However, the bag-mask method is more commonly used by ambulance personnel and medical practitioners.

Mouth-to-mouth

Mouth-to-mouth breathing is a method used to support a person’s breathing by blowing air directly into their lungs. To perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation:.

Gently tilt the person’s head back to open their airway.
Pinch the person’s nose with your fingers to prevent air from escaping.
Take a deep breath and seal your mouth around the person’s mouth.
Blow into their mouth for 1 second and watch for their chest to rise.
Then, release the seal around their mouth and watch their chest fall as the air is released from their lungs.
Repeat these steps until the person begins to breathe on their own, or medical professionals arrive.

Bag-mask ventilation

Bag-mask ventilation is a method that uses a portable device to support a person’s breathing. It involves using a bag-mask or Ambu-bag to provide oxygen to the person’s lungs. To perform bag-mask ventilation:.

Place the person on their back on a firm surface.
Place the mask over the person’s nose and mouth and make sure it is sealed tightly.
Squeeze the bag to deliver oxygen to the person’s lungs. You should see their chest rise.
Release the bag to allow the air to escape from their lungs.
Repeat these steps until the person begins to breathe on their own, or medical professionals arrive.

When to Use Artificial Breathing

Artificial breathing is used when a person is experiencing breathing difficulties due to a respiratory or cardiac condition. Some of the situations where artificial breathing can be a lifesaver include:.

Drowning
Electric shock
Choking
Drug overdose
Heart attack
Smoke inhalation

Precautions to Take while Performing Artificial Breathing

While performing artificial breathing, it’s important to take certain precautions to avoid any additional complications. These precautions include:.

Make sure the person’s airway is clear before performing artificial breathing. This can be done by tilting their head back slightly and checking their mouth for any obstructions such as food or vomit.
Do not perform artificial breathing on a person who is breathing normally or on someone with a pulse. This could cause unnecessary harm and can make things worse.
Do not overinflate the lungs while performing artificial breathing. This can cause the lungs to rupture.
If you are not trained to perform artificial breathing, don’t attempt it. Call for medical help instead.

Conclusion

Artificial breathing is a crucial skill that everyone should know. It can save lives and prevent complications such as brain damage and organ failure due to a lack of oxygen.

It’s important to remember that it’s better to call for emergency help if you’re not trained to perform artificial breathing. By taking the necessary precautions, such as clearing the airway and avoiding overinflating the lungs, it’s possible to perform this lifesaving technique effectively.