How Do Smelling Salts Revive a Person?

Smelling salts are effective in reviving those who have been knocked unconscious. The revival has to do with an involuntary bodily response to the salt fumes.

  1. Salts

    • Smelling salts are made out of both ammonium carbonate and perfume. This product is used to alleviate headaches and fainting.

    Chemical Reaction

    • When ammonium carbonate is mixed with a liquid such as perfume, fumes are released. These fumes are then inhaled through the nose.

    Nose Structure

    • Lining the nose is a mucous membrane. The mucous membrane is irritated by the smelling salts.

    Effects

    • The irritation of the mucous membrane causes the lungs to breath more rapidly while the person is in an unconscious state. Increased oxygen to the brain causes the person to be revived.

    Boxing

    • Smelling salts used to be used in boxing in order to revive the boxer after a knockout by holding the smelling salts near the boxer's nose. However, smelling salts are no longer allowed.