Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation

Most people think that mouth to mouth resuscitation is similar to CPR. The fact is mouth to mouth resuscitation is only part of CPR and can be done without doing CPR.

This is usually done when the victim has no breathing but the pulse is present.

This article will provide the step by step procedure in providing mouth to mouth resuscitation.

The first step of course is to insure that the scene is safe. You don't wanna do mouth to mouth and get yourself killed right? Try to check if there are no hazards in the area. Hazards could be a lot of things. From traffic, electricution, fire, explosion and many other things. If the scen is safe that would be the time to approach the victim and start your initial assesment.

Just like starting out with CPR you must check whether the patient is responsive or not. You can do this by tapping the shoulder or chin and shouting " Hey are you okay?" or perhaps say "Hey are you allright?

If there is no response immediately call for help. Call the ambulance service in your area. Ask for assistance.

Open the AIRWAY - do this by placing one hand on the victims forehead and two fingers on the chin. Slowy tilt the head upward. In most unconscious victims, the airway is blocked by the toungue. By doing this procedure. the tongue is repositioned and the airway will be opened. This method of opening the airway is call the "head tilt chin lift maneuver". Do this method if you do not suspect a cervical injury. (jaw thrust maneuver should be done if cervical injury is suspected).

Check the Breathing - place your ear near the victims mouth and nose and listen and feel for air. Look at the chest for any chest rise. In this situation, we commonly say LLF. Look for the rise and fall of the chext, Listen and Feel for air. You do this for 5 to 10 seconds and no more than that. If there is no breathing, you can now give your rescue breaths. Commonly called, mouth to mouth resuscitation.

While keeping the head tilted, seal the victims mouth with your mouth and seal the patients nose with your fingers. Blow air into the mouth for at least 1 second. You must give two blows initially.

(Considering that this topic is about mouth to mouth, we will assume that the patient has a pulse and CPR is not necesarry. For a detailed guide on CPR, click here.

There are different rates for Adult, Children and Infants while giving mouth to mouth resuscitation.

ADULTS - Give at least 10-12 breaths per minute for adults. This can be accomplished by giving 1 blow every 5-6 seconds.

CHILDREN and INFANTS - give at least 12-20 breaths per minute for children and infants. This can be done by giving at least 1 blow every 3-5 seconds. You must remember that each blow should be at 1 second each. Also remember to release the nose after each blow.

Another thing to consider in providing mouth to mouth in infants. Considering that they are small, there is no need to pinch the nose. The nose can be sealed by including it in your blows as you blow on the infants mouth. Make sure also not to put to much air as you blow on infants. Only use the air from your mouth and not from your diapraghm.