A 2-year-old suffers respiratory arrest due to heat, CDAA responds

The Civil Defence Authority's Authority's (CDAA) Operations Center on August 6 received a report of an emergency case involving a two-year-old child suffering from respiratory arrest.

Upon immediate communication with the child's family, it was determined that the condition was caused by a severe rise in temperature, which led to seizures that resulted in respiratory arrest

Immediately, the specialized operations team proceeded to provide precise medical guidance over the phone, directing the child's guardians step-by-step to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and quickly address the situation.

Respiratory arrest is a critical medical condition where breathing stops, even leading to cardiac arrest if not addressed immediately. It occurs when the respiratory system is unable to sustain life due to apnea or severe dysfunction

Respiratory arrest in children is when a child's breathing stops, and causes include respiratory infections, foreign body aspiration, and other underlying medical conditions.

CDAA confirmed its readiness to respond immediately to emergencies, its commitment to protecting lives under various circumstances, and emphasized the importance of being familiar with first aid procedures and direct communication with the operations room when any emergency occurs.

According to the WHO, never leave children in parked vehicles for any amount of time, as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high.

Avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak hours, seeking shade or staying indoors. Shade can reduce how hot you feel by more than 10 °C. Dress children in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers their skin, and use wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect them from the sun’s rays.

It may be noted that 50.7°C was recorded in Barka in July this year, making it one of the hottest days of this summer season.

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