Once the airway has been cleared, check if the casualty is breathing.
STEP 1 - Check for breathing. Look, feel and listen.
STEP 2 - If the casualty is breathing, leave them in the Lateral (sideward) position.
STEP 3 - Monitor and manage shock, bleeding and any other injuries
STEP 4 - If the casualty is not breathing, support the head and neck, then roll onto their back and give 5 full breaths in 10 seconds
EXPIRED AIR RESUSCITATION (EAR)
Start EAR if the causality is not breathing. EAR is also called mouth-to-mouth.
There are three methods of EAR:
- Mouth-to-mouth
- Mouth-to-nose
- Mouth-to-mask
Turn the casualty to his side to clear the airway before starting EAR
Mouth to Mouth
STEP 1 - Turn the casualty onto his back
STEP 2 - Tilt the head back slightly and lift the jaw forward.
STEP 3 - Pinch the casualty’s nostrils with thumb and finger to seal the nose.
STEP 4- Take a deep breath and breathe into the casualty's mouth.
STEP 5 - Remove lips. Allow chest to fall. Turn your head to the side to check if the chest is rising and falling after each inflation
STEP 6 - If chest does not rise, check the angle of the head then check the airway. If the stomach rises, decrease the amount of breath.
STEP 7- Give 5 full breaths in 10 seconds, then check the carotid (neck) pulse
STEP 8 - If pulse is present, commence EAR at the rate of 15 breaths per minute.