Has breathing stopped and is there no pulse?

Perform CPR and Get Emergency Care.

Has breathing stopped, but there is a pulse?

Perform "Rescue Breathing" and Get Emergency Care

Has breathing stopped due to choking on a swallowed object?

Perform Heimlich Maneuver and Get Emergency Care

Are there signs of anaphylactic shock?

• Difficult breathing
• Swollen tongue, eyes or face
• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty in swallowing

• Dizziness, weakness

• Pounding heart
• Itching, hives

Inject the substance from the emergency kit some very allergic people carry with them, ifmavailable and Get Emergency Care. Follow all the instructions in the kit.

Are any of these problems present with difficulty in breathing?

• Signs of a heart attack such as chest pain, pressure or tightness, pain that spreads to the arm, neck or jaw, irregular pulse

• Serious injury to the face, head or chest

• Signs of a stroke such as blurred or double vision, slurred speech, one side body weakness or paralysis.

• Signs of drug overdose such as drunklike behavior, slurred speech, slow or rapid pulse, heavy sweating, enlarged or very small eye pupils

Get Emergency Care and Give first aid for problem at hand. (For example, for first aid for heart attack)

Is it so hard to breathe that you or someone else can't talk (say 4 or 5 words between breaths) and/or is there wheezing that doesn't go away?

Is bloody sputum being coughed up?

Does the difficulty in breathing occur with a cough in a baby and does it make the baby unable to eat or take a bottle?

Is there?

• Breathlessness at night or at rest
• Pink or frothy phlegm being coughed up and/or
• A high fever along with the rapid and labored breathing

Is a greenish-yellow or grey phlegm being coughed up?

For people affected by air pollution or pollen:

• Put on a face mask that covers the nose and mouth
• Most hardware stores carry inexpensive ones.
• Don't smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke (Note: This applies to anyone with breathing difficulties.)
• Install an air filtering system in your home or an air purifier, especially in the bedroom. Tests show that air filters help clear the air of allergy-causing agents.

• Do not rake leaves that have sat on the ground for awhile. Molds and mildew grow on leaves after they've been on the ground for a few days.
• Keep your basement dry, well ventilated and well lighted. Use dehumidifiers and exhaust fans to reduce moisture in the air.
• Get rid of house plants.