Rescue Breathing Publicity Campaign

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 8

Rescue Breathing Publicity Campaign

" JVu* fi x St P eraon on the scene who will save a life by starting rescue breathing, says a statement by the St John Ambulance Associate? in support of Rescue Breathing Week which will begin on September 1.

Rescue breathing is of use in any case where a person stops breathing, whether it be from drowning, electric shock, or suffocation, says the statement.

Speed is the essence of the contract as the brain cells suffer irreparable damage if they are deprived of oxygen for longer than 3-4 minutes. Hence, it is the first person on the scene who will save the life by beginning rescue breathing straight away; there is no time to send for a doctor. This indicates the importance of everyone, not only trained St John or Red Cross members being conversant with the technique. There are two main principles to remember which we may label A and B. A stands for the airway, which we must be sure is not blocked before we start. We must first be sure the mouth is free of foreign maerial, vomit or blood. This can be done by using a finger over the back of the tongue, wrapped in a handkerchief if necessary. ' Second, we must ensure that the upper air passages are open by stretching the

head and neck backwards—if necessary, supporting the shoulders on a rolled coat. B stands for the establishment of breathing. If spontaneous breathing does not start by exending the person's head and neck, then begin artificial breathing by the mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose method.

It is important to get a good seal with your mouth on the victim's mouth, to pinch the nostrils so that the air will not escape through them, and to take large breaths to fill the lungs. The chest must be seen to rise and fall and one should be able to hear the air escape from the victim’s mouth between breaths.

For children one may cover the nose and mouth with one’s mouth and use smaller breaths at a faster rate.

The advantages of the method are that there is no delay looking for equipment as no equipment is required. It is a simple technique which can and should belearned by everyone. You never know, tomorrow it may save a life, the statement says.