Assisted breathing helps a casualty with severe breathing difficulties to breathe more effectively. It is most useful when the casualty shows very little or no breathing effort. If breathing effort is good, the casualty will likely breathe better on his own. Start assisted breathing when you recognize the signs of severe breathing difficulties The technique for assisted breathing is the same as for artificial respiration except for the timing of the Chinese Herbal Medicine intervention.
You seal your mouth around the casualty’s mouth and/or nose and blow air into the lungs (use a mouthpiece). If the casualty is breathing too slowly, give a breath each time the casualty inhales, plus an extra breath in between the casualty’s own breaths. Give one breath every five seconds for a total of 12 to 15 breaths per minute. If the casualty is breathing too fast, give one breath on every second inhalation by the casualty.