Air in the stomach (Gastric Distention) – During rescue breathing and CPR, air may enter the stomach in addition to the lungs. To avoid this, keep the casualty’s head tilted back, breathe only enough to make the chest rise, and do not give breaths too fast. Do not attempt to expel stomach contents by pressing on the abdomen.
Mouth-to-nose breathing – Used when the casualty has mouth or jaw injuries, is bleeding from the mouth, or your mouth is too small to make an air-tight seal. Maintain head tilt with your hand on the forehead, use your other hand to seal the casualty’s mouth and lift the chin. Seal your mouth around the casualty’s nose and slowly breathe into the casualty’s nose using the procedures for mouth-to-mouth breathing, breathing only enough for chest rise.
Mouth-to-stoma breathing – Used when the casualty has had surgery to remove part of the windpipe. They breathe through an opening in the front of the neck, called a stoma. Cover the casualty’s mouth with your hand, and seal your mouth over the stoma and slowly breathe using the procedures for mouth-to-mouth breathing. Do not tilt the head back. (In some situations a person may breathe through the stoma as well as his or her nose and mouth. If the casualty’s chest does not rise, you should cover his or her mouth and nose and continue breathing through the stoma).
Mouth-to-mask breathing – Used when rescue breathing is required in a contaminated environment, such as after a chemical or biological attack or if you do not wish to place your mouth on someone else’s mouth. The rescuer breathes directly into the one way valve attached to pocket face mask.
Dentures – Leave dentures in place, they provide support to the mouth and cheeks during rescue breathing. If they become loose and block the airway or make it difficult to give breaths, remove them.
