First aid treatment

Asthma is still responsible for many deaths worldwide. One of the most important steps is to recognise the signs and symptoms of a life-threatening asthma attack described in the last unit.

If you are concerned about a patient with asthma, you must not delay in calling for emergency medical assistance.

(If at large-scale events request an alpha crew from event control, if at smaller or solo responder events please contact local Ambulance Service)  

General first aid steps

Step 1: Sit the casualty down in the position they find most comfortable for their breathing. 

Step 2: Find their medication, which is normally an inhaler (possibly with a spacer device) containing a drug such as Salbutamol. Salbutamol is also known as Ventolin. 

Step 3: Assist the casualty to use their medication. They should know how many doses to take and how to use the inhaler. There may be different recommendations of how many ‘puffs’ of an inhaler to take depending on local guidelines. As a guide, a maximum of up to 10 puffs over 30 – 60 seconds each is recommended however this will vary depending on local guidelines. 

Step 4: Provide reassurance and help calm the person’s breathing if they are hyperventilating.

Step 5: Call for emergency medical help if the Salbutamol inhaler has no effect, or the patient shows any signs of deterioration.