What if someone just doesn’t start breathing?
What if someone just doesn’t start breathing? Is there anything else I can do?
If a person is not breathing, it may be because his heart has stopped. This is particularly likely in cases of severe electric shock. If, in spite of your efforts, the first four breaths produce no result, continue to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but between breaths, check that his heart is beating.
How can I tell if his heart has stopped beating?
Feel for the pulse to the side of, and behind, the Adam’s apple. If you can feel no pulse, the heart has stopped. The patient will be blue-gray in color and his pupils will be dilated.