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acute danger to life

Very Slow Breathing

When When the breathing rate drops below 8 breaths per minute or breaths become very shallow.

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Content is undergoing medical and legal review. Changes possible.

Emergency

Call 112. Calling for help is required by law (German Criminal Code § 323c). levelll cannot promise immunity from criminal or administrative consequences.

Immediate

  1. 1. Call 112. With shallow breathing, respiratory arrest can follow at any moment.
  2. 2. Recovery position. Head tilted back, mouth open, so vomit can drain out.
  3. 3. Count the breathing rate, keep an eye on lip and finger colour (cyanosis).

Don't do

  • Don't leave the person alone — deterioration can happen within seconds.
  • No cold showers, no ice water in the face. Risk of shock, doesn't help.
  • Don't wait to see if it gets better. Respiratory depression does not correct itself.

Respiratory depression is the most common cause of death with opioid, GHB/GBL, and benzo mixed use. If opioids are suspected: prepare or use naloxone nasal spray (available without a prescription in German pharmacies since 2024 as “Nyxoid”). With pure GHB/GBL, naloxone does not help — only breathing monitoring and 112.

Normal adult breathing rate: 12–20 per minute. Below 10/min is alarming, below 8/min is acute.

If breathing stops: start chest compressions immediately (see respiratory arrest).