help plz! cpr vs oxygen

If someone loses consciousness during an asthma attack, is it better to give the victim an oxygen mask, or to administer CPR in the ambulance?

Please explain. thanks

[beanie485]

well if someone is not breathing the term would be to use rescue breathing you don't need to give someone chest compressions if their heart is still beating that's what cpr does compressions and rescue breathing so if it were me i would put an o2 mask on them beside the mask can help circulate air into the bloodstream until the persons lungs open back up

[caregiver222]

The question of whether to "use oxygen or CPR" is mixing apples and oranges. It is meaningless.

CPR, or cardio pulmonary resuscitation, is provided when (a) the heart is not pumping (b) there is a cesation of breathing, called "respiratory arrest".

Neither condition exists in a typical asthmatic attack. An asthmatic (if they are alive) has both a beating heart and will be breathing, albeit with difficulty.

Thus "CPR" is not appropriate.

In this case what is called "positive pressure ventilation" is sometimes used. This is the forcing of air into the lungs by mechanical means. It may be by a large flexible bag (called an AMBU bag) or by valve attached to an oxygen cylinder (The Robert-Shaw positive pressure resuscitator).

In an asthmatic attack the inflammation causes the tiny passageways to constrict, making the airway smaller and restricting airflow. The less airflow the less oxygen.

Another complication is spasm of the airways, which further compromises airflow.

If oxygen is readily available, it will help to administer it with a nasal cannula.

Elderly asthmatics often have other problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and one hundred percent oxygen may cause them to stop breathing, so a nasal cannula is the safest way to supplement oxygen.

The basic drill, however should be to call 911.

Room air has about twenty-one percent oxygen.

If there is no AMBU bag or Robert Shaw (or equivelant) available, is is helpful to increase the percentage of room oxygen.

An AMBU bag may be connected to an oxygen regulator to increase the percentage of oxygen in the bag. This takes time, however, and the most important thing is to assist the breathing. It is a technique that only a trained first responder can perform properly.

In a modern city the complete cardiac arrest drill is conducted in the place where the asthmatic attack takes place. If the heart stops beating CPR and advanced life support measures are instituted on the spot. You don't go to the ambulace to "administer CPR". There is nothing that can be done in the hospital that the paramedics cannot do at the scene.

In communities that utilize only basic EMT's, on-board CPR is the only option.