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Explain this for hyperventilating people..

Breath in and out into a paper bag where your first breath is 21% oxygen and each and every breath reduces the oxygen intake by 2% and this decreases by each breath...is this not slowing the brain by lack of oxygen?

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Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

I think it's more a psychological thing rather than being of any medical benefit.
Focuses the mind to the task at hand;
Gives the 'patient' a physical task to 'aid their own recovery'.
Etc.

MikefromEP · 51-55, M

@Picklebobble2: Quite true.. but you can't dismiss this either

GlassDog · 41-45, M

I've never looked into it, but I've often had the same thought you just expressed.

What I wondered is that people talk about controlling your breathing and the inflating and deflating of the bag might be a visual cue about how one is breathing.

MikefromEP · 51-55, M

@GlassDog: Each breath you take slows the oxygen to the brain.. slowing the reactions.. and in a strange sense.. calms the person from oxygen deprivation

MartinTheFirst · 22-25, M

so in other words.. I will suffocate after 11 breaths?

MikefromEP · 51-55, M

@MartinTheFirst: No.. your hands will drop the bag when you lose consciousness and reset your breathing

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