Airway, breathing, and circulation.
Approach an unwell person who is not in cardiac arrest
When approaching an unwell person, it is important to assess the situation and determine if they are in cardiac arrest. If not, then the ABC approach should be used: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.
The airway is understood as the conduit allowing for the passage of air in and out of the person’s body. It must be open and clear of obstruction to allow a person to breathe. After ensuring one’s own safety – this should be the first priority of the rescuer.
Breathing is the process by which gas exchange takes place – inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. It can be assessed by looking for chest movement and listening to abnormal sounds, such as a wheeze.
Circulation is the process by which oxygenated blood can go around a person’s body. It is assessed by checking the pulse, blood pressure, the temperature of the extremities and hydration status.
The ABC approach allows for a structured approach of assessing an unwell person to identify the problem which is causing their deterioration.
Airway: importance and assessment
The airway is a critical component of the ABC approach to an unwell person. It is essential that it remains open and unobstructed in order for oxygen to reach the lungs.
Airway problems can arise from blockages such as vomit or foreign objects, swelling due to allergies or infections, or even trauma caused by accidents.
If the person is speaking freely, their airway is clear and you can move on to the next step. If there are concerns about the airway, inspect the mouth to see if there is any visible obstruction. The airway must then be opened by tilting the head back slightly and lifting the chin up (head tilt chin lift manoeuvre).
Keeping a clear airway is essential when assessing an unwell person who is not in cardiac arrest so that appropriate treatment can begin quickly and effectively without causing further harm or distress to them.
Airway: clearing obstructions and opening the airway
Clearing an obstruction from the airway manually is a skill that requires practice and knowledge.
An airway obstruction can be complete or incomplete. A complete airway obstruction will mean that the person cannot talk, cough or breathe in and out. It is extremely serious and professional help must be called for immediately.
An incomplete airway obstruction may involve the person coughing or speaking with difficulty. If they can cough while having an airway obstruction (e.g. they are choking), encourage them to do so. Beware, as an incomplete airway obstruction may progress to a complete one rapidly.
If the person is choking and cannot cough but is conscious, you can help them clear an obstruction by delivering up to 5 back blows using the heel of your hand between their shoulder blades. They are likely to need professional assistance.
If the person is unconscious and you can see a solid obstruction in their mouth, you can try to remove it but only insert your fingers to a depth that you can see clearly as there may be sharp or dangerous material. Open their airway using the head tilt chin lift manoeuvre.
To perform this manoeuvre correctly, place one hand on their forehead and gently tilt their head back while using your other hand to lift their chin forward until you feel resistance in both directions.
If there is no obstruction, the airway is open and there is still no breathing – this is a cardiac arrest situation. If the airway is unobstructed and open and they are breathing, you can move on to the next step.
Breathing: essential role of gas exchange
Breathing is essential for life, as it allows the exchange of gases between the body and its environment. Oxygen enters the lungs and is transported to cells throughout the body by red blood cells, while carbon dioxide produced by cellular respiration leaves through exhalation.
This process of gas exchange helps maintain a balance in our bodies that keeps us alive. Without oxygen, our cells would not be able to produce energy efficiently and we would quickly die.
In addition to providing oxygen for cell metabolism, breathing also plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis within our bodies by regulating pH levels and temperature.
It also helps remove waste products from our system such as lactic acid which can build up during exercise or other strenuous activities. By controlling how much air we take in with each breath, we can adjust these parameters accordingly to keep ourselves healthy and functioning optimally.
Breathing: Recognizing Signs of Respiratory Distress
Respiratory distress is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. It is important to recognize the signs of respiratory distress in order to provide appropriate first aid treatment.
Common symptoms include rapid or shallow breathing, difficulty speaking, and abnormal breathing sounds, such as wheezing. In some cases, there may also be coughing. If any of these signs are present, it is essential to assess the person’s airway and breathing immediately.
If the person has difficulty breathing or cannot speak clearly, they should be placed in a comfortable position with their head slightly elevated and given oxygen if available.
If there is an obstruction such as vomit or mucus blocking their airway then this must be cleared first. It is also important to check for other underlying causes such as asthma attacks which require specific treatments like inhalers or nebulizers depending on severity.
Finally, it is essential that medical help is sought immediately if any of these signs are present so that further complications can be avoided and proper care provided promptly.
Circulation: importance in supporting life
Circulation is essential for life, as it transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells of our body while removing waste products. The circulatory system consists of a network of blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body, including arteries, veins and capillaries.
Arteries are responsible for carrying blood away from the heart while veins return blood back to the heart. Capillaries are narrow blood vessels which form a bridge between arteries and veins in order to facilitate exchange of gases and other substances between bloods and tissues.
Without proper circulation all of the body’s processes cannot occur effectively, leading to serious health complications or death if left untreated.
Therefore it is essential that any signs or symptoms related to poor circulation are identified quickly so appropriate treatment can be provided promptly before further damage occurs due to lack of oxygenation or nutrient delivery.
Circulation: recognising problems
Circulation problems can be identified by assessing the heart rate, blood pressure and hydration status.
Tachycardia is a condition where the heart rate is abnormally high, over 100 beats per minute. It can be caused, for example, by stress, dehydration or an underlying medical condition such as hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include palpitations, chest pain and shortness of breath.
It can be identified by feeling a person’s pulse on the thumb side of the inside of the wrist (radial pulse) or on the side of a person’s neck (carotid pulse). The beats are then counted over a period of time, for example over 15 seconds, and multiplied to obtain the number of beats per minute.
Hypotension is a condition where the blood pressure drops below normal levels, usually less than 90/60 mmHg. It can be caused by dehydration, certain medications, severe infections or heart problems, and may lead to dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting if left untreated.
If either of these conditions are suspected it is important to seek medical attention immediately in order to prevent further complications from developing due to lack of oxygenation or nutrient delivery throughout the body.
Circulation: What is shock?
Shock is a life-threatening condition in which the tissues are not getting enough blood flow.
It can be caused by a reduction in blood volume (e.g. through severe bleeding or dehydration), a sudden uncontrolled increase in the volume of the blood vessels which the blood cannot fill (e.g. in anaphylaxis) or through pump failure (e.g. in a massive heart attack).
The body struggles to maintain homeostasis and perfuse vital organs with oxygenated blood. Symptoms of shock include pale skin, rapid breathing and heart rate, confusion or disorientation, low blood pressure and weak pulse. If left untreated it can lead to organ failure and death.
In order to help prevent shock from occurring in an unwell person, they should be laid down with their feet elevated above the level of their head if possible.
This helps increase brain perfusion which is essential for maintaining consciousness and preventing further complications from developing due to lack of oxygenation or nutrient delivery throughout the body.
Keeping them warm is also important as this will help conserve energy that would otherwise be used up trying to regulate temperature levels within their bodies during a state of shock.
