Emergency First Aid Advice
Asthma Attacks
1. Sit the person comfortably upright. Be calm and reassuring.
2. Give 4 puffs of a blue Reliever inhaler (puffer) -
Ventolin, Airomir, Bricanyl, or Asmol.
Relievers are best given through a spacer, if available. Use 1 puff at a time and ask the person to take 4 breaths from the spacer after each puff.
Use the person's own inhaler if possible. If not, use the First Aid kit inhaler or borrow one from someone else.
3. Wait 4 minutes. If there is no improvement, give another 4 puffs.
4. If little or no improvement,
Call an ambulance
and state that the person is having an asthma attack.
Keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes until the ambulance arrives.
Children: 4 puffs each time is a safe dose.
Adults: up to 6 - 8 puffs every 5 minutes may be
given for a severe attack while waiting for the ambulance.
If someone collapses and appears to have difficulty breathing,
Call an ambulance whether or not the person is known to have asthma.
No harm is likely to result from giving a Reliever to someone who does not have asthma.