If your loved one is short of breath, or appears to have breathing problems call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services immediately. If you are not near a phone, call for help while you attend to your loved one. Ask a bystander to call 9-11 or the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) near you.

Breathing Problem Symptoms

Breathing problem symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, rapid pulse, bluish-purple skin color, dilated pupils, unconsciousness. If your loved one experiences any of these symptoms, contact an emergency medical service immediately.

Breathing Problem Treatment

Treatment for someone who has stopped breathing includes:

1. Lay the person who has stopped breathing flat on his or her back. Tilt his or her head back with one of your hands to open airway, while placing two fingers of your other hand under the chin of the other person.
2. Clear the airway of the person (the throat and mouth), using your fingers in a hooked fashion to remove any solid or liquid obstructions.
3. Look, listen, and feel for respiratory movement for 5 seconds. You can check for respiratory movement by placing your fingers over the person’s pulse (pulse points include the neck and the wrist). You may also check for breathing by lowering your ear over the person’s nose and mouth and listening for any breath.  If breathing is absent, pinch the person’s nostrils closed, take a deep breath, completely cover the other person’s mouth, and give two slow, full breaths. If you have a mouth gard specifically for giving someone else breath, use it. If not and you do not know the person, or you know the person has a communicable disease, use saran wrap or another protective covering.
4. Check again for carotid pulse in neck and for signs of breathing.
5. If a pulse is present:
   For adults – continue rescue breathing at a rate of one strong every five seconds. Re-check for pulse and breathing every twelve breaths.
   For infants and small children – breathe shallow breaths at a rate of one every three seconds or 20 per minute.
6. If pulse is not present, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)* or find someone who is trained in CPR. You will want to locate notch where the lower ribs meet the breastbone. Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone, next to your index finger. Place your other hand down on top of the first. Use the heel of your bottom hand to apply pressure to the area.
7. 
   For adults – Exert enough pressure to depress the breastplate 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Continue compressions at a rate of "one and two and…" Every fifteen compressions should be followed with a pause by two rescue breaths.
   For children – Use the heel of only one hand to depress the breastplate 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Continue compressions at a rate of 100 per minute "one, two, three…" Every five compressions should be followed without a pause by one rescue breath.
   For infants – Use only fingertips. Apply moderate pressure to depress breastplate 1/2 to 3/4 inches. Continue compressions at a rate of at least 100 per minute. Every five compressions (3 seconds) should be followed without a pause by one rescue breath.

When the emergency medical services team arrives, relay as much information about what happened as you can quickly, and step aside so the healthcare professionals have enough room.

* It is strongly recommended that you receive training in CPR before performing on anyone. CPR performed incorrectly can lead to fatal injuries. Please click here for information on CPR and First Aid training classes near you: www.RedCross.org.