ST JOHN AMBULANCE – BREATHING
To assess for spontaneous breathing:
a. Place your ear over the casualty’s mouth and nose while maintaining an open
airway.
b. Assess for breathing by:
• Looking for the chest rise and fall
• Listening for air escaping during exhalation
• Feeling for the flow of air from the mouth and nose
c. If any of the above is present, the casualty is still breathing.
d. If all of the signs of breathing are absent, it can be presumed that the victim is
not breathing and is in cardiac arrest.
e. It should not take more than 10 seconds to complete the breathing assessment.
If you are still not sure by this time, presume the casualty is in cardiac arrest.
f. The casualty now requires CPR, starting with chest compressions.
Chest compressions
Chest compressions consist of serial, rhythmic applications of pressure over the
lower half of the sternum (breastbone). Locating the correct hand position for chest
compressions should be done quickly and not take more than 2 to 3 seconds.
CONTACT US:
ST.JOHN AMBULANCE
No.714, 1st Floor, MTH Road, Mannurpet,
Padi, Chennai – 600050. Ph: 044-26242318.
Cell: 8056079747, 9840799786
Email: stjohn77@yahoo.co.in,
stjohnambulancepadi@gmail.com
