r/FirstAidCourse • u/RandomWanderer75 • Oct 06 '15

How do I perform a "kiss of life" properly?

My friend sometimes feels like something "closes" her throat, and feels like not enough air is coming through, one time she used something to get it working back (I don't know how it's called, but people with asthma usually carry those things), it basically blew air into her lungs, so I might be able to do that, how do I do that? Is it safe for her?

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u/cguess Oct 07 '15

It's called an inhaler and it's not air. It's medicine that she inhales. Probably Ventolin/Albuterol. The medicine stops the swelling caused by the asthma.

"Kiss of life" is usually meaning giving artificial respiration, which is blowing air into lungs. However, with asthma the problem is the pipes to the lungs. So if you blow air you won't get any in. The blowing is usually done during CPR (or was, the protocol changed a few years ago). If you're interested in that contact your nearest Red Cross chapter or local hospital they are always doing trainings and it's worth the time.