Artificial respiration is also known as artificial ventilation. This is a metabolic process that stimulates or assists respiration. This is a process where a complete exchange of gases is observed via external respiration, internal respiration, and pulmonary ventilation. This process is based on facilitating manual air to a person who is not able to breathe or sufficient respiration efforts cannot be handled by him. This may also be defined as mechanical ventilation where usage of the mechanical ventilator is involved to move the air out and into the lungs (the person is not able to breathe on his own). For instance, at the time of surgery, in a coma, in trauma, or a general anaesthesia condition, this therapy is used.

It means breathing induced by some of the manipulative techniques. When the natural respiration has been stopped and the heart is running or flattering, artificial respiration is applied quickly and properly to prevent people from dying due to drowning, choking, strangulation, suffocation, carbon monoxide poisoning, or electric shock. Machines of artificial respiration are also known as artificial lung ventilation machines.

Artificial respiration mainly consists of two actions, primarily to maintain and establish an open-air passage from the upper respiratory tract to the lungs, and then the exchange of air and carbon dioxide in the terminal air sac of the lungs, while the heart is still functioning.

Different Methods of Artificial Respiration

Some of the important artificial respiration methods are Schaffer’s method and Sylvester’s method.

Schaffer’s Method

In this method, the victim is made to lay on his belly, with one arm extended directly overhead and the other arm bent at the elbow. The face is turned outward and resting on the forearm. In this position, the nose and mouth are free for breathing. Now, the doctor kneels to the patient’s waist and puts his palm on the patient’s loin. The first step will be to apply the pressure by bending forward, then the doctor pushes the abdominal viscera to bring about the expiration. Pressing forward expiration takes place and the bending backwards inspiration takes place. According to some rough calculations, expiration lasts for 3 seconds and the inspiration lasts for 2 seconds. Some of the advantages of this method are its prone position, so that water from the abdomen and lungs can be easily drained,; it is a very simple method, non-tiring, and it can be continued for a long time.

This method can be applied, if there are injuries to the thorax or back. The main disadvantage of this method are that inspiration is passive and the expiration is active, which is not physiological. This method is not applied to patients with injuries in the abdomen.

Sylvester’s Method

It is the supine position, in which the pillow is given below the shoulder and the neck is fully extended. During this method, the doctor will kneel near the patient’s head, facing towards the patient. The doctor will catch the patient's wrist and by bending the doctor will pull the patient’s arms up, this will result in inspiration. Then bending forward the doctor will put deep pressure on the chest with the patient’s hand, this will cause expiration. In this method, inspiration should last for 3 seconds and expire for 2 seconds.

The main advantages of this method are that both inspiration and expiration are active, so good ventilation is obtained. And the disadvantage of this method is that there is no drainage of water from the lungs, due to the supine position of the patient, so this method should not be used in cases of drowning. This method is quite tiring, so assistance is required for this and if there is rib fracture or thorax this method cannot be applied.

Mouth to Mouth Respiration

This is one of the best methods of the artificial method of respiration. In this method, the doctor kneels near the patient’s neck facing toward him. And a pillow is placed below the patient’s shoulder so that the neck is extended fully. With the left- hand doctor closes the patient’s nostril and places the handkerchief on the patient’s mouth, and then the doctor will blow the expired air in the patient’s mouth, this will cause inspiration. When the mouth is taken away, expiration occurs passively.

The main advantage of this method is giving expired air containing carbon dioxide, which stimulates the patient’s respiratory centre, and in this good ventilation is obtained.

Artificial Respiration Machine

An artificial respiration machine is also known as a breathing machine or artificial ventilation machine. Some of the patients require help to breathe,; in such situations, this kind of machine is used to assist the function of the lungs.

The main purpose of the ventilator is to blow the air into the lungs, helping to maintain the level of oxygen in the blood. To use the mechanical ventilator, the medical team needs some form of access to the patient’s lungs. Like a tube is inserted into the mouth or nose to reach the lungs, this process is called intubation. Or, even a tube can be inserted into the opening of the windpipe, medically known as the trachea and this process is called a tracheostomy.

Artificial Breathing Devices

Once you have comprehended the introduction, definition, and methods in a detailed way, then it is time to get to know the devices used for artificial breathing devices. The reason behind it is that all these devices have a key role to play in following artificial respiration.

Different types of artificial respiration devices are used to treat different respiratory diseases according to the symptoms and condition of the patient. Some of the artificial breathing devices are mentioned below:-

Chest compression system

CPAP

CPR devices

CPR pocket mask

Demand valves and aspirators

Humidifiers

Nebulizers

Oxygen delivery devices

Oxygen regulator

Oxygen fittings

Oxygen flowmeters and selector valves

Do You Know?

Why did scientists not like the word artificial respiration? This is because respiration is a biochemical process, which takes place in the living cell and releases energy. The non-scientists call it respiration but in fact, it is just breathing. So, artificial respiration is known as artificial breathing and to be more accurate, it is termed as assisted breathing or assisted ventilation.

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FAQs on Artificial Respiration in Humans

1. What is artificial respiration?

Artificial respiration is a life-saving technique used to restore breathing by manually or mechanically moving air into and out of the lungs. It is performed when natural breathing stops due to conditions such as drowning, electric shock, choking, or respiratory failure. The main aim is to:

Supply oxygen to the lungs
Remove carbon dioxide from the body
Maintain gas exchange until normal breathing resumes or advanced care is available

2. How does artificial respiration work?

Artificial respiration works by forcing air into the lungs to mimic the process of normal breathing. It helps maintain ventilation and oxygen delivery to vital organs.

Air is blown or pumped into the lungs
The chest expands, allowing oxygen to reach the alveoli
Carbon dioxide is expelled during passive recoil of the chest

This process temporarily replaces the action of the respiratory muscles, especially the diaphragm.

3. What are the different types of artificial respiration?

The main types of artificial respiration are manual methods and mechanical ventilation methods. These include:

Mouth-to-mouth respiration – Air is blown directly into the victim’s mouth
Mouth-to-nose respiration – Used when the mouth cannot be opened
Bag-valve-mask ventilation – A manual resuscitation device pushes air into the lungs
Mechanical ventilator support – A machine provides controlled breathing in hospitals

Each method helps maintain oxygen supply during respiratory arrest.

4. When is artificial respiration required?

Artificial respiration is required when a person stops breathing or cannot breathe adequately on their own. Common situations include:

Drowning
Choking
Electric shock
Drug overdose
Respiratory failure due to disease or injury

It is often performed as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to preserve brain and organ function.

5. What is the difference between artificial respiration and CPR?

Artificial respiration focuses only on restoring breathing, while CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) combines breathing support with chest compressions to restore both breathing and blood circulation. The key differences are:

Artificial respiration – Provides ventilation only
CPR – Includes ventilation plus chest compressions to maintain blood flow

CPR is used when both breathing and heartbeat have stopped.

6. What is mouth-to-mouth respiration?

Mouth-to-mouth respiration is a manual method of artificial respiration where a rescuer blows air directly into the victim’s lungs. The procedure involves:

Tilting the head back to open the airway
Pinching the nose shut
Sealing the rescuer’s mouth over the victim’s mouth
Blowing air to cause visible chest rise

This technique supplies oxygen until spontaneous breathing resumes.

7. How is artificial respiration different from normal breathing?

Artificial respiration is externally assisted breathing, whereas normal breathing is a natural process controlled by the respiratory center in the brain. In normal breathing:

The diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract automatically
Breathing is regulated by carbon dioxide levels in blood

In artificial respiration:

Air movement is forced manually or mechanically
The process does not rely on voluntary or automatic muscle action

8. What happens if artificial respiration is not given in time?

If artificial respiration is not given promptly, lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and death within minutes. Oxygen deprivation causes:

Hypoxia – Low oxygen levels in tissues
Irreversible brain injury within 4–6 minutes
Failure of vital organs such as the heart and kidneys

Immediate ventilation support is critical to prevent permanent damage.

9. What is mechanical ventilation in artificial respiration?

Mechanical ventilation is a hospital-based form of artificial respiration where a machine helps a patient breathe. A ventilator delivers controlled oxygen-rich air through a mask or endotracheal tube. It:

Maintains adequate oxygenation
Removes excess carbon dioxide
Supports patients with severe respiratory distress or lung disease

This method is commonly used in intensive care units (ICUs).

10. Why is artificial respiration important in biology and medicine?

Artificial respiration is important because it sustains life by maintaining oxygen supply when natural breathing fails. In biology and medicine, it helps: