The Professional Rescuer & Breathing Emergencies

Primary Responsibilities of a Professional Rescuer

Prevent emergencies through awareness and training.

Primary Responsibilities of a Professional Rescuer

Recognize and respond quickly to emergencies.

Primary Responsibilities of a Professional Rescuer

Provide care according to training and within scope of practice.

Primary Responsibilities of a Professional Rescuer

Ensure advanced medical personnel take over when necessary.

Emergency Action Steps

Check: Scene safety, victim's condition.

Emergency Action Steps

Call: 911 or designated emergency number.

Emergency Action Steps

Care: Provide appropriate care based on training.

Scene Size-Up

Ensure the scene is safe.

Scene Size-Up

Determine what happened, number of victims, and available resources.

Scene Size-Up

Identify whether PPE is needed.

Obtaining Consent (Conscious Victim)

Identify yourself as a trained rescuer.

Obtaining Consent (Conscious Victim)

Explain your level of training.

Obtaining Consent (Conscious Victim)

Describe what you see and how you plan to help.

Obtaining Consent (Conscious Victim)

Ask for permission before providing care.

Refusal of Care Protocol

If a conscious, competent victim refuses help, document the refusal and call EMS if necessary.

Refusal of Care Protocol

If a minor refuses care, but a parent/guardian is available, obtain their consent.

Legal Considerations

Duty to Act: Obligation to respond while on duty.

Legal Considerations

Negligence: Failing to act or providing improper care that results in harm.

Legal Considerations

Abandonment: Leaving a victim before equal or higher-trained help arrives.

Legal Considerations

Confidentiality: Do not share medical information except with EMS.

Legal Considerations

Good Samaritan Laws: Protect trained individuals providing care in good faith.

Bloodborne Pathogens & Disease Prevention

Examples: HIV, Hepatitis B & C.

Bloodborne Pathogens & Disease Prevention

Prevention: Use PPE (gloves, masks), wash hands, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids.

Recognizing Respiratory Distress

Gasping for air, wheezing, gurgling.

Recognizing Respiratory Distress

Increased breathing rate, panic, dizziness.

Recognizing Respiratory Distress

Pale, blue (cyanotic), or ashen skin.

Recognizing Respiratory Distress

Nasal flaring in infants/children.

Common Causes of Breathing Emergencies

Medical conditions: Asthma, anaphylaxis, chronic respiratory disease, heart attack.

Common Causes of Breathing Emergencies

Trauma: Head/spinal injuries, drowning, choking, electrocution.

Common Causes of Breathing Emergencies

Environmental factors: Smoke inhalation, drug overdose, poisoning.

Asthma Attack

Signs: Wheezing, difficulty speaking, chest tightness.

Asthma Attack

Care: Assist with prescribed inhaler, encourage slow breathing, monitor for worsening.

Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)

Triggers: Food, insect stings, medications, latex.

Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)

Signs: Swelling of the face/throat, difficulty breathing, hives, dizziness.

Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EpiPen)

Use in case of severe allergic reactions; call 911 immediately.

Hyperventilation

Caused by anxiety, panic attacks, severe pain, or trauma.

Choking Emergencies

Situations where a person cannot breathe due to an obstruction.

Conscious Choking - Adult/Child

Signs include hands on throat, unable to speak, cough, or breathe.

Care for Conscious Choking

5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts; repeat until object is expelled or victim becomes unconscious.

Unconscious Choking - Adult/Child

Lower victim to ground, start CPR with 30 compressions, check mouth, and give 2 breaths.

Choking - Infants

Signs include weak cry, blue skin, and no sound.

Care for Choking Infants

5 back blows (hold infant face-down) and 5 chest thrusts (two fingers at center of chest).

Rescue Breathing

For no normal breathing but has a pulse, give 1 breath every 5-6 seconds for adults and 1 breath every 3-5 seconds for children/infants.

CPR Guidelines

For no pulse & no breathing: Adult/Child 30 compressions, 2 breaths; Infant 30 compressions (two fingers), 2 breaths.

Compression Depth - Adult

At least 2 inches.

Compression Depth - Child

About 2 inches.

Compression Depth - Infant

About 1.5 inches.

AED Usage

Should be used as soon as possible.

Drowning Victim Care

If no breathing but has a pulse, start rescue breathing immediately; if no pulse, begin CPR.

Suctioning an Airway

Used to clear vomit, blood, mucus from the airway.

Suctioning Limit - Adult

Limit suctioning to 15 seconds.

Suctioning Limit - Child

Limit suctioning to 10 seconds.

Suctioning Limit - Infant

Limit suctioning to 5 seconds.

Using a Bag-Valve Mask (BVM)

Provides more effective ventilations; used by two rescuers.