Basic Life Support
Atmospheric air that is essential for life contains approximately 21% oxygen. When you breathe (inhale), only a quarter of the air is taken by the blood in the lungs. The air you breath out (exhale) contains approximately 16% oxygen. If you have an enclosed space (where oxygen level is depleted) with only 6-8% oxygen, the victim could die within 6 to 8 minutes and with only 4-6% oxygen, the victim will be in a coma in 40 seconds and die in 3 minutes. In comparison, for a conventional heart attack, a serious and irreversible damage could occur to a victim in a span of 2-3 hours and the chance of survival with an immediate first-aid action will be better.Basic life support is maintenance of the ABCs (airway, breathing, and circulation) without auxiliary equipment. The primary importance is placed on establishing and maintaining an adequate open airway. Airway obstruction alone may be the emergency, for instance, a shipmate begins choking on a piece of food. Other important steps are to restore breathing to reverse the respiratory arrest (stopped breathing) commonly caused by electric shock, drowning, head injuries, and allergic reactions. Restoring circulation to keep blood circulating and carrying oxygen to the heart, lungs, brain, and body is another essential life support procedure/method.
Atmospheric air that is essential for life contains approximately 21% oxygen. When you breathe (inhale), only a quarter of the air is taken by the blood in the lungs. The air you breath out (exhale) contains approximately 16% oxygen. If you have an enclosed space (where oxygen level is depleted) with only 6-8% oxygen, the victim could die within 6 to 8 minutes and with only 4-6% oxygen, the victim will be in a coma in 40 seconds and die in 3 minutes. In comparison, for a conventional heart attack, a serious and irreversible damage could occur to a victim in a span of 2-3 hours and the chance of survival with an immediate first-aid action will be better.Basic life support is maintenance of the ABCs (airway, breathing, and circulation) without auxiliary equipment. The primary importance is placed on establishing and maintaining an adequate open airway. Airway obstruction alone may be the emergency, for instance, a shipmate begins choking on a piece of food. Other important steps are to restore breathing to reverse the respiratory arrest (stopped breathing) commonly caused by electric shock, drowning, head injuries, and allergic reactions. Restoring circulation to keep blood circulating and carrying oxygen to the heart, lungs, brain, and body is another essential life support procedure/method.
