Asthma Attack Assistance
Helping someone through an acute asthma exacerbation
Step by Step
Sit the person upright, leaning slightly forward, and keep them calm. Help them use their reliever inhaler as set out in their personal asthma action plan. UK NHS guidance for a blue reliever inhaler is 1 puff every 30 to 60 seconds, ideally through a spacer, up to a maximum of 10 puffs; combined preventer and reliever inhalers have different instructions. Call emergency services if they do not improve, get worse, cannot speak in full sentences, have blue lips, or become exhausted or drowsy, or if they do not have an inhaler. If they are no better after 10 minutes and the ambulance has not arrived, the inhaler can be used again up to the same maximum. Stay with the person and do not let them lie down.
Related Guides
Hyperventilation
Fast, deep breathing can cause tingling in the fingers and lips, dizziness, and muscle cramps by lowering carbon dioxide in the bl...
Choking Relief Adults
Ask: Are you choking? If they can cough, encourage them to keep coughing, as a strong cough is the most effective way to clear the...
Choking Relief Infants
Lay the infant face down along your forearm or thigh, supporting the head, with the head lower than the chest. Give up to 5 back b...
Severe Bleeding Control
Call emergency services immediately for severe, spurting, or pooling bleeding, and protect yourself with gloves if available. Appl...