Emergency Oxygen Use

Emergency oxygen can be given for many breathing and cardiac emergencies. It can help improve hypoxia (insufficient oxygen reaching the cells) and reduce pain and breathing discomfort. Oxygen First Aid for Emergencies is designed to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to provide emergency oxygen to a suddenly ill or injured patient until more advanced medical help can be obtained. Supplying emergency oxygen helps meet the patient’s critical need for oxygen. When illness or injury reduces the body’s ability to process oxygen, shock will soon occur, unless the effects of the decreased amount of oxygen in the blood can be reversed. Providing supplemental oxygen early in the emergency can make a vital difference.