Health Topics for Prepare for Emergencies

Department of Emergency Medicine

Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center

Breathing emergencies in adults

Adults may suddenly stop breathing for a number of reasons, such a blocked airway, head injury, heart attack, drowning, stroke, allergic reaction, or severe asthma.

You can tell that a person has stopped breathing by looking for these signs:

• the chest does not rise and fall
• you cannot feel air moving in and out of their nose and mouth
• when you put your ear to the person's mouth and nose, you cannot hear air moving in and out and
• the skin becomes pale or bluish

If a person has stopped breathing, immediate emergency action is needed. Call 911 or the emergency medical system in your area.

It is important to learn basic life support techniques for choking and other medical emergencies.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File PREP3198.rf2 VRS# 6102 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999, 2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.