Asthma
During an asthma attack, a person's airways narrow when exposed to certain triggers, making it hard for them to breathe. The symptoms of an asthma attack can quickly become worse.
Symptoms of a severe asthma attack:
What to do:
To help a person suffering from an asthma attack, you must administer Asthma First Aid.
Step 1: Sit the person upright, remain calm and provide reassurance. Do not leave the person alone.
Step 2: Without delay, shake a blue reliever puffer and give 4 separate puffs, one (1) puff at a time, preferably through a spacer device. Ask the person to take four (4) breaths from the spacer after each puff.
Step 3: Wait 4 minutes
Step 4: If there is little or no improvement repeat steps 2 and 3. If there is still no improvement, or you are concerned at any time – call 000 [triple zero]
Tell the operator the person is having an asthma attack.
Keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes while you wait for emergency assistance.
Note: Giving blue reliever medication to someone who doesn’t have asthma is unlikely to harm them.
Symptoms of a severe asthma attack:
- Gasping for breath Severe chest tightness
- Inability to speak more than one or two words per breath
- Feeling distressed and anxious
- Little or no improvement after using blue reliever medication (Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl or Ventolin)
- 'Sucking in' of the throat and rib muscles
- Blue colouring around the lips (which can sometimes be hard to see if skin colour also changes)
- Pale and sweaty
What to do:
To help a person suffering from an asthma attack, you must administer Asthma First Aid.
Step 1: Sit the person upright, remain calm and provide reassurance. Do not leave the person alone.
Step 2: Without delay, shake a blue reliever puffer and give 4 separate puffs, one (1) puff at a time, preferably through a spacer device. Ask the person to take four (4) breaths from the spacer after each puff.
Step 3: Wait 4 minutes
Step 4: If there is little or no improvement repeat steps 2 and 3. If there is still no improvement, or you are concerned at any time – call 000 [triple zero]
Tell the operator the person is having an asthma attack.
Keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes while you wait for emergency assistance.
Note: Giving blue reliever medication to someone who doesn’t have asthma is unlikely to harm them.