BREATHING

- Immediately perform five rescue breaths in a patient who remains unconscious and in respiratory arrest.10,18
- If the patient is breathing spontaneously, immediately apply O2 at 15 liters/min by nonrebreather as soon as possible and until discontinued by medical officer.10-11
- Consider early use of positive pressure to maintain PEEP. Aspiration can reduce surfactant and increase atelectasis.
- Avoid head down positioning or abdominal thrusts as they decrease ventilation and increase risk of vomiting, which can lead to aspiration. Heimlich maneuver is NO LONGER recommended for drowning.16,19
- Goal oxygen saturation is 92-96%: Place pulse oximeter on ear lobe or forehead for more accurate readings.20,21