Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee of New York City Certified First Responder Basic Life Support Protocols Copyright January 1996 (8/96)

301 DISTRESS/FAILURE

Monitor the airway.

If an obstructed airway is suspected, see Protocol #302.

Administer oxygen.

Do NOT permit physical activity.

Request Advanced Life Support assistance.

Monitor breathing for adequacy.

Place the patient in a Fowler's or semi-Fowler's position.

Transport.

If the patient is breathing at a rate less than 12 or greater than 28 times per minute and/or exhibiting signs of hypoxia, assisted ventilations may be required. This should be done utilizing one of the following methods:

• Pocket mask with supplemental oxygen set at 10-15 liters/minute.
• Bag-Valve-Mask and reservoir with flow set at 10-15 liters/minute.
• Mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-mouth and nose (at provider option, only when adjuncts are not available).
  

NOTE:

ALL PATIENTS WHO ARE IN RESPIRATORY ARREST MUST HAVE VENTILATORY ASSISTANCE UNLESS A VALID DNR ORDER EXISTS. DO NOT USE A DEMAND VALVE RESUSCITATOR DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING SEVERE, LIFE-THREATENING COMPLICATIONS.

Go to the top of the page

Go to the Index