How To Help Someone Hyperventilating (Respiratory Depression)

In this video, we are going to talk about how to help someone that might be hyperventilating. Now, hyperventilating is panicked or rapid deep breathing and often occurs when someone is often very anxious, but sometimes can happen when they have got an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Fortunately, the vast majority of people that hyperventilate are absolutely fine, and the treatment is very quick and very easy.

Hyperventilation causes a drop in your blood's CO2 levels, that's carbon dioxide levels, and that is what makes you feel woozy or makes you feel light-headed, and sometimes can result in people fainting. We're going to go through some of the general self-help measures that you can do at home if you come across someone hyperventilating. Now, first and foremost, is to encourage them to relax.

Try to slow down their breathing, and try to calm them down. Number two is reassurance. Having someone who is a friend or family nearby to reassure you whilst you're hyperventilating can actually be very useful.

Number three, ask them to breathe through pursed lips. Or block one nostril and breathe through the other nostril. Number four, try breathing into a paper bag.

Now, that increases your CO2 levels by actually getting you to re-breathe some of it, but please be very careful that you do not inhale the bag itself. There are also longer term treatments that you can approach if necessary. These include relaxation exercises, specific breathing exercises, exercising regularly all help, and also if things are really bad, you can get medication from your doctor.

As I said, the vast majority of people that hyperventilate are absolutely fine and is not a serious thing. But a small minority may have an underlying condition, and if you are worried, always seek help from your doctor. And now, you should be able to help someone who is hyperventilating! .