EMERGENCY FIRST AID – LEARN TO HANDLE RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY CASES
The cases of breathing and circulation emergencies in Canada are increasing. As a result, the number of phone calls for emergency first aid in Canada is rising. The aging population, poor air quality, climatic conditions, delayed care during the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of public awareness and bystander response, and increased emergency department visits are some common reasons for this.
This is encouraging Canadian youngsters to learn about the Red Cross, the EMS system, airway emergencies, wound care, the check, call, & care system, first aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest, and the art of preparing to respond to medical emergencies. They are showing interest in learning about breathing and circulation emergencies and are registering for emergency first aid courses. Many youngsters are building a rewarding career with this Red Cross certification course.
The course allows them to learn about different types of breathing and circulation emergencies. As a result, they find it easier to prepare for such emergencies. But how?
This is what we are going to discuss in this post.
What Is a Breathing Emergency?
A breathing emergency is a severe medical condition. A person facing this situation finds it hard to breathe or can’t breathe at all. Such a situation usually leads to severe oxygen deprivation or death.
Medical conditions like asthma, pneumonia, allergic reactions, pneumothorax, choking, COPD, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, agonal respiration, dyspnea, pleural effusion, respiratory failure, upper airway obstruction, whooping cough, croup, chest wall movement, neurologic conditions, blood clot in the lungs, HAPE, injury to the neck, chest wall & lungs, pericardial effusion, near drowning, and wheezing are some major breathing emergencies.
Rapid breathing, inability to breathe while lying down, the need to sit up to breathe, anxiety, agitation, sleepiness, confusion, dizziness, light-headedness, pain, fever, cough, nausea, vomiting, bluish lips, fingers, and fingernails, unusual chest movement, gurgling, muffled voice, making whistle-like sounds, difficulty in speaking, bleeding during coughing, sweating, and irregular heartbeat are some symptoms of breathing emergencies.
Those who enroll in an emergency first aid blended (Levels A or C) Red Cross certification course learn several things about it. The list includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- What is it?
- Its types.
- Its symptoms.
- First aid treatment for it.
- Things to avoid.
- When to contact a medical professional.
- Its alternative names.
Emergency first aid blended (Levels A or C) Red Cross certification teaches you much more than this. You realize this only once you enroll in a relevant course.
Different Types of Breathing Emergencies
There are different types of breathing emergencies. The list includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Respiratory Arrest:
Problems like cardiac arrest, drug overdose, choking, severe asthma, or trauma are some major reasons for this cessation of breathing. Some common symptoms of respiratory arrest are mentioned below:
- No breathing.
- Unconsciousness.
- Cyanosis (Bluish skin).
Artificial ventilation, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and professional medical help are the best solutions to deal with such a medical emergency. An emergency first aid blended (Levels A or C) course is the best way to learn about it in detail.
Respiratory Distress:
Difficulty in breathing is respiratory distress. This precursor to respiratory arrest happens mainly because of problems like asthma, pneumonia, COPD, allergic reactions, or injury. Mentioned below are some common symptoms of respiratory distress:
- Rapid or shallow breathing.
- Wheezing.
- Gasping for air.
- Pale or bluish skin.
- Anxiety.
Listed below are some measures you can take if you see someone experiencing respiratory distress:
- Immediately call for first aid and medical help.
- Help the victim sit in a comfortable position.
- Arrange a prescribed medication like an inhaler for the victim.
- If needed, call for professional medical help.
If left untreated, it can lead to death. Those who want to learn about it in detail can enroll in a reputed first aid blended (Levels A or C) certificate course.
- Asthma Attack:
Airway constriction caused by inflammation or mucus is called asthma. Problems like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing are some common symptoms of asthma.
Arrange rescue inhalers and ensure trigger removal. Call professional medical help if you don’t see any improvement in the victim’s condition. Enrollment in an emergency first aid certificate course can help you learn all of this in detail.
- Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction):
Food allergens, insect stings, and medications cause this severe allergic reaction. As a result, the victim experiences airway swelling. An anaphylaxis patient usually shows the following symptoms:
- Problems in breathing.
- Throat swelling.
- Tongue swelling.
- Rash.
- Shock.
Arrange an EpiPen. Ensure CPR if needed. How? This is something you will learn once you enroll in an emergency first aid course.
- Choking:
Airway obstruction due to foreign objects results in choking. Problems in speaking, coughing, clutching the throat, and cyanosis are symptoms of choking. An emergency first aid course can teach you all the best processes and procedures to save the patient from choking.
- Hyperventilation:
The level of carbon dioxide in the blood drops significantly. This drop causes excessive breathing. Problems like dizziness, chest pain, rapid breathing, and tingling in the extremities are its symptoms. An emergency first aid blended (Levels A or C) certification course can help you learn the best ways to help patients get relief from this problem.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation (COPD):
COPD is the worsening of respiratory problems in people. Persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, and increased mucus are its symptoms. People experiencing COPD need immediate first aid and medical help. Emergency first aid certification holders are qualified to provide initial treatment.
- Croup:
Many young children face this viral infection. They experience swelling in their airways and show symptoms like barking cough, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness.
- Near Drowning:
Near drowning usually causes problems with breathing. Issues like coughing, unconsciousness, and frothy sputum are some more problems victims face. People who face this problem need first aid treatment. You can learn about the initial treatments through an emergency first aid certification course to help patients.
- Smoke Inhalation:
Inhaling toxic gases, soot, or fire & chemical particles causes difficulty in breathing, coughing, and confusion. People facing this condition need immediate help. You can gain all the knowledge required to move patients to fresh air, seek emergency medical care, and administer oxygen through an emergency first aid certificate course.
- Pneumothorax:
There is a space between the lung and the chest wall. Air leaks into this space, causing the patient’s lungs to collapse. In such a scenario, patients experience symptoms like sudden sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate. Immediate first aid is required in such cases. An emergency first aid course equips you with all the knowledge you need to deal with such a serious respiratory emergency. A certified first aid provider can provide immediate initial treatment to save the victim.
What Is a Circulation Emergency?
A circulation emergency is a medical condition that significantly hinders blood flow in your body. Such a condition prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching bodily organs and usually leads to the following:
- Organ failure
- Death (If not treated)
Immediate restoration of blood flow to the bodily organs is a must to treat circulation emergencies. Emergency first aid certificate holders are eligible to provide the immediate initial treatment required.
Different Types of Circulation Emergencies
There are different types of circulatory emergencies. All these emergencies occur due to varying types of circumstances or injuries. Listed below are some types of circulatory emergencies:
- Cardiac Arrest:
Cardiac arrest is a major circulation emergency. The patient needs immediate first aid before professional medical help. In such a scenario, one of the following happens:
- The patient’s heart stops beating.
- The patient’s heart becomes unstable and cannot pump blood.
Sudden collapse, no pulse, and no breathing are some major symptoms of cardiac arrest. You must complete your emergency first aid blended certification course to be able to provide the first aid a cardiac arrest patient immediately needs.
- Shock:
It is a state when the blood flow does not fulfill the body’s requirement. Rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, and pale or clammy skin are problems patients face due to this condition. Hypovolemic, cardiogenic, septic, and anaphylactic are its types. Severe blood loss for any reason causes hypovolemic shock. Cardiogenic shock happens due to heart failure, while severe allergic reactions result in septic or anaphylactic shock.
- Severe Bleeding (Hemorrhage):
Severe injuries, fainting, and low blood pressure lead to excessive blood loss. Excessive blood loss results in hemorrhage. Such patients need immediate emergency first aid under all circumstances. You can provide it once you are a certified professional.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (DVT and PE):
DVT is the formation of blood clots in deep veins, typically