COUGH, DEEP BREATHE

To help prevent pneumonia, conscious casualties should be encouraged to take deep breaths every hour while awake. Sustained maximal inspiration helps to maintain inflation of the alveoli and is as effective as using an incentive spirometer.12 If the casualties have increased secretions, they should also be encouraged to cough and clear their airway hourly.

Non-medical and Medical Responders

Guide for deep breathing instruction:

- Instruct the casualty to breathe in deeply and slowly through their nose, expanding lower rib cage, and letting abdomen move forward.
- Hold for a count of 3 to 5 seconds.
- Instruct casualty to breathe out slowly and completely through pursed lips.
- Have casualty rest and repeat 10 times every hour.