First Aid for Asphyxiation - Part 2

Back-pressure arm-lift method. (Holger-Nielsen method) Another method of artificial respiration is the back-pressure arm-lift method. When using this method, lay the victim on his stomach. Than bend his elbows and place one of his hands on the other so that both are lying under his head. Turn the victim’s head to one side and quickly wipe out any foreign matter that might be in his mouth. Make sure that his throat is clear.

Rescuer’s position. Kneel on one or both knees at the victim’s head, facing him. Open your hands and spread them across the victim’s back so that your thumbs are almost touching and the palms are just below an imaginary line connecting the armpits.

Compression. Rock forward slowly, so that the weight of your upper body presses on your hands. Increase the pressure until your arms are vertical. The pressure of your weight forees the air out of the victim’s lungs.

Expansion. Release the pressure on the victim’s back. Then slide your hands to his arms, just above the elbows. Grasp the upper arms and rock backward slowly, forcing the victim’s arms up and out. Continue until you feel the strain in his shoulders; then lower his arms.

This procedure forces air into a victim’s lungs by expanding his chest and arching his back. The steps in this method are repeated twelve times a minute for an adult victim and twenty times a minute for a child.

Think for Yourself
Can you think of a situation in which the back-pressure arm-lift method would be harmful to a patient?

Alternating rescuers. Because either method of artificial respiration may take a long time to help the victim to breathe by himself once again, one person may not be able to maintain the resuscitation by himself. In that case, it may be necessary to alternate rescuers. The move should be completely planned. It should be executed only when the two rescuers are certain they can complete the shift without missing any breaths.

If you have a chance to enroll in a Junior Red Cross course or one like it, you can learn about and practice many
methods of artificial respiration.

Try This
From your local fire department find out what equipment is used for victims of asphyxiation. It may also be possible to arrange for a demonstration of these kinds of equipment.