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title: "Ventilation | First Aid Glossary"
description: "Assisting or controlling breathing. Learn when it is used in first aid and the steps that support a safe, confident response."
canonical: "https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/glossary/ventilation"
---

# Ventilation

[Resources](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources) › [Glossary](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/resources/glossary)

## What is Ventilation?

Ventilation refers to the process of moving air in and out of the lungs to facilitate gas exchange, providing oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide. In first aid, ensuring proper ventilation is crucial for individuals who are not breathing adequately.

Ventilation refers to the process of exchanging air between the lungs and the environment, essential for delivering oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide. In first aid, ventilation support may be necessary for casualties experiencing respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, or airway obstruction. Assessing breathing adequacy and providing ventilatory assistance when needed can improve outcomes and prevent complications.

Basic techniques include clearing airway obstructions, positioning the casualty for optimal air exchange, and delivering rescue breaths if spontaneous breathing is absent or inadequate. Advanced ventilation methods, such as bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilation or automated external defibrillator (AED) with CPR, may be used in more complex medical emergencies. Monitoring respiratory effort, oxygenation levels, and responsiveness guides ongoing ventilation management and informs decisions about escalation of care.

## First Aid for Ventilation

1. Rescue Breaths: If a person is not breathing, provide rescue breaths as part of CPR.
2. Bag-Valve Mask (BVM): Use a BVM to provide positive pressure ventilation to a person who is not breathing or breathing inadequately.
3. Positioning: Ensure the airway is open by using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver or jaw thrust (if spinal injury is suspected).

> Process of providing air to the lungs, often with a ventilator.

## Related video: Ventilation Explained

[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ0_-P0xOoE)

## Learn this hands-on

A nationally accredited first aid course covers this and much more. [Find a course and check live session availability](https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com/#find-course).

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