ASTHMA
CAUTION
IS IT AN EMERGENCY?
RECOMMENDED MODULES FOR TREATMENT
INJURIES
CPR
WOUNDS
ESSENTIALS
WHAT TO DO FIRST
CHECK FOR THE FOLLOWING SIGNS
- Difficulty in breathing, especially breathing out
There may be:
- Wheezing
- Difficulty speaking
- Gray-blue coloring in skin, lips, earlobes, and nailbeds
In a severe attack:
- Exhaustion and possible loss of consciousness
how to treat it
HELP CASUALTY USE INHALER
- Keep calm and reassure the casualty.
- Help her find and use her inhaler (it is usually blue or white); use a spacer device if she has one.
- The inhaler should take effect within minutes.
ENCOURAGE SLOW BREATHS
- Help the casualty into a comfortable breathing position; sitting slightly forward is best.
- Tell her to breathe slowly and deeply,
- A mild attack should ease within a few minutes.
- If it does not, ask the casualty to take another dose from her inhaler.
CALL FOR EMERGENCY HELP
Call 911 for emergency help if the inhaler has no effect, breathlessness makes talking
difficult, or the casualty is becoming exhausted.
MONITOR CASUALTY
- Monitor and record the casualty’s vital signs—level of response, breathing, and pulse—until she recovers or help arrives.
- Help her use her inhaler as required.
- Advise the casualty to seek medical advice if she is concerned about the attack.
CAUTION
- Do not let the casualty lie down.
- Do not leave the casualty alone because the attack may quickly worsen.
- If this is a first attack and she has no medication, call 911 for emergency help immediately.
- If the attack worsens, the casualty may lose consciousness.
- Lay her on her back, then assess breathing.
- Be prepared to begin CPR