 | Airway Emergencies All living cells of the body require oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. Oxygen is particularly important to the cells of the nervous system because, without it, brain cells begin to die within four to six minutes. The most stressful and chaotic scene usually involves a difficult airway. A nonbreathing patient or a patient with difficulty breathing is a true emergency. To prevent death, you must be able to recognize early signs of breathing difficulty and know what to do. |