Symptoms of Stopped Breathing

Adults normally take between 15 and 20 breaths per minute when at rest. The count is based on the number of time the chest rises. This is called the respiration rate. Respiration rates increase with illness, pain or other conditions. When respiration rates exceed 25 breaths per minute or drop below 12 breaths per minute, the rate is abnormal. If breathing stops altogether, death may be imminent unless appropriate action is taken. Knowing the symptoms of a cessation of breathing can help save a life.

Cyanosis

• During respiration, the lungs fill with air. Structures within the lungs, called aveoli, exchange the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood for oxygen (O2). This oxygenated blood carries oxygen to the body's cells and carries away CO2, which the body expels by breathing out. When respiration ceases, the lungs are no longer exchanging O2 for CO2, and the cells become starved for oxygen.

  When the body's cells are starved for oxygen, the skin acquires a slight bluish tinge, called cyanosis. Consequently, that bluish tinge is an indicator that breathing may have stopped. Cyanosis, by itself, however, is not a clear indicator that breathing has stopped, since other conditions, like cold, also cause cyanosis.

Rise and Fall of the Chest Have Ceased

• The act of breathing involves the intercostal muscles--the muscles of the chest that lie between the ribs--and the diaphragm, a strong muscle deep in the body, that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The movement of the diaphragm causes the lungs to expand, pulling air and oxygen into the body, or contract, pushing air and carbon dioxide out.

  Watch the body to see if the rise and fall of the chest have ceased. This cessation is usually a clear symptom that breathing has stopped.

Lack of Breath Sounds or Inability to Speak

• The American Heart Association, in its "Adult Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider Algorithm," instructs the CPR provider to "check breathing." No method is discussed, but listening for breath sounds by placing an ear at the chest is a method that is cited in CPR classes.

  The American Heart Association also recognizes that full cardio-pulmonary resuscitation is not appropriate in all instances of stopped breathing. Where a person is in respiratory distress and unconscious because of an airway obstruction, the instruction to check breathing is followed by an instruction to clear and maintain an airway, and to give two rapid, "rescue breaths" by pinching off the nostrils, tilting the head backwards, covering the mouth with mouth and breathing quickly into the victim in an effort to force air into the victim's lungs.

  An obstruction of the airway in a person who is conscious may result from an object being jammed in the airway, such as a piece of food. If the person is unable to speak, it may be that he is unable to exhale because of a blockage, such as food, and the Heimlich maneuver is indicated.

Unconsiousness

• Unconsciousness results from a lack of oxygen to the brain; consequently, an unconscious person should be checked to ensure that they are breathing.

"Obvious" Death

• In the United States, an official determination of death can only be rendered by a physician. However, some injuries are so traumatic that death, hence the cessation of breathing, is "obvious" to a casual observer. Such injuries would include extreme crushing of the chest cavity, to the point where breathing "is not an option."Other clear indicators that breathing has ceased would include dismemberment or decapitation.