Asphyxia: Causes, Signs and

Symptoms, Complications and

First Aid Management
 Posted on August 6, 2013
 by Ibrar
 in Duty to Rescue
Asphyxia is a condition of the body that occurs from

severely inadequate oxygen supply or excessive carbon

dioxide to the body. It is usually a result of disruption in breathing or insufficient oxygen supply. Nerve cells in the
brain can survive only up to four minutes without oxygen. Without oxygen, these cells will die and usually leads to
unconsciousness, and the most severe consequence, death. There are many causes of asphyxia, which all generally
lead to hypoxia. Response will vary on the cause of asphyxia.
Causes of Asphyxia
Sometimes, it may be quite obvious when one is suffering from asphyxiation. Asphyxia can be caused by any of the
following:

 Airway obstruction
o Choking from food, blood, vomit or broken teeth
o May also occur in unconscious victim when the tongue falls to the back of the throat
o Chest compression or collapsed lung, from road accidents or any penetrating injury to the chest
o Drowning or near drowning
o Gas poisoning
o Carbon monoxide poisoning from home appliances releasing fumes or released by car
exhaust or other toxic fumes
o Electrical accidents
o Strangulation
o From attempted suicide by hanging or attempt to kill another person by placing
grasping the neck
o Suffocation
o Others
o Severe asthma attack or bronchitis
o Whooping cough
Signs and Symptoms of Asphyxia
Any of the following symptoms can lead to asphyxia.
  Difficulty and/ or noisy breathing, which may ultimately lead to cessation
 Rapid pulse
 High blood pressure (hypertension)
 Cyanosis of the face
 Swollen veins on the head and neck
 Convulsions
 Paralysis
 Slowly losing consciousness
Complications from Asphyxia
Although there are only a few numbers of possible complications from asphyxia, they are, nonetheless, severe and
sometimes, irreversible.

 Coma
 Brain death
 Death
First Aid Management for Asphyxia
It is necessary to give first aid and if necessary, CPR, to any patient who is at risk of asphyxia. Steps will vary per
scenario. Disclaimer: the information and procedure to be given do not substitute for the hands on and practical
knowledge taught by first aid training. To increase chances of survival of patients and know how to give appropriate
first aid, it is highly encouraged to enroll in first aid courses made available by St Mark James.

 Have someone call for emergency medical services immediately.

 Choking
o Perform Heimlich Maneuver (which will vary in adults, children, and pregnant women) to remove
the object
o Drowning
o Safely remove the victim from the water.
o Gas poisoning
o Get the victim into fresh air only if it is safe to go in the place. Evacuate anyone
else in the same establishment.
o Suffocation
o Remove anything blocking the airway, such as plastic bags
immediately
o Strangulation
o Remove the object used to strangle immediately
o Asthma attack
o Assist the victim to sit upright and assist to
medication.
o For all victims of asphyxiation,
o Loosen any tight clothing,
especially around the neck.
o Check for airway, breathing and circulation
o If the victim is unconscious and not
breathing with no pulse, perform CPR. To
do CPR
o Place own hand on the middle’s
chest and entangle the second hand
on top of the first. Give 30 chest
compressions, followed by 2 rescue
breaths.
o To give a rescue breath, tilt the chin
upward and backwards to prevent
any obstruction in the airways.
Pinch nostril of casualty and seal
 the mouth of the victim using own
mouth.
o Repeat cycle of 30 chest
compressions and 2 rescue breaths
until signs of circulation are
perceived.
 If the victim has pulse but not breathing, give rescue breaths.
 Do not leave victims of asphyxia alone at all times, even if consciousness is regained.

Read more: http://firstaidandcprcourses.ca/asphyxia-causes-signs-and-symptoms-

complications-and-first-aid-management/#ixzz5Ecmavt8y