you and another lifeguard find an unresponsive adult on the locker room floor. the other lifeguard goes to summon ems personnel. you form an initial impression, complete a primary assessment and find that the victim has a pulse but is not breathing. which of the following should you do next?
Answer:
If the victim has a pulse but is not breathing, the next step should be to perform rescue breathing or artificial respiration to provide oxygen to the victim’s lungs.
To perform rescue breathing, first, the airway should be opened using the head tilt-chin lift maneuver. This can be done by placing one hand on the victim’s forehead and pushing down gently while lifting the chin with the other hand. This will create an open airway.
Next, a rescue breath should be administered by covering the victim’s mouth with your mouth and blowing air into their lungs until the chest rises. Then, take your mouth away from the victim’s and watch the chest fall as the air comes out. Perform this process twice, and then check for signs of breathing.
If the person is still not breathing, continue rescue breathing until EMS personnel arrive. If the victim regains consciousness and begins breathing normally, then place them in the recovery position and continue monitoring them until EMS personnel arrive.
It is important to note that rescue breathing should not be performed if the person is breathing normally or has a pulse. In that case, the person should be placed in the recovery position and monitored until EMS personnel arrive.