ARTIFICIAL
VENTILATION The
purpose of artificial ventilation is to provide a method of air exchange until
natural breathing is reestablished. Artificial ventilation should be given only
when natural breathing has stopped; it must not be given to any person who is
breathing naturally. Do not assume that a person's breathing has stopped merely
because the person is unconscious or has been rescued from the water, from
poisonous gas, or from contact with an electric wire. Remember: DO NOT GIVE
ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION TO A PERSON WHO IS BREATHING NATURALLY.
In
the last section, we discussed the methods to open the blocked airway. When the
victim is not breathing, it is essential for the airway to be open so the
rescuer can begin respiratory life support. When the victim does not begin
spontaneous breathing after opening the airway, begin artificial ventilation
immediately. When ventilation is inadequate, readjust the head, using one of
the methods described earlier and attempt to ventilate again. If the airway is
obstructed, use the thrust techniques discussed previously, followed by another
attempt at artificial ventilation.
Figure
10-9.-Feeling for the carotid pulse.
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