Death by asphyxiation is a type of death that occurs when a person is unable to breathe and does not get enough oxygen into their body. It is a form of suffocation and can occur in a number of ways.
Symptoms of Asphyxiation
When a person is asphyxiating, they may experience a number of symptoms, including difficulty breathing, a feeling of suffocation, a feeling of panic, confusion, dizziness, and/or a loss of consciousness.
Causes of Asphyxiation
There are a number of causes of asphyxiation, including strangulation, choking, drowning, and exposure to toxic gases. Asphyxiation can also occur when a person is in a confined space that does not have enough oxygen to support breathing.
Treatment for Asphyxiation
Treatment for asphyxiation depends on the cause of the asphyxiation. If the person is choking or has been strangled, they may need to have the object removed from their airway. If the person has been exposed to a toxic gas, they may need to be treated with oxygen and medications. If the person has been submerged in water, they may need to be resuscitated.
What Does Death by Asphyxiation Look Like?
Death by asphyxiation typically occurs suddenly, with the person becoming unconscious and then not breathing. The person may or may not have other physical signs, such as frothing at the mouth, blue-tinged skin, or shallow breathing before they become unconscious.
If a person is found unresponsive and is not breathing, CPR should be administered immediately. If a person is found unresponsive and not breathing, but with a pulse, the person should be placed on their side and monitored closely until help arrives.