Asthma First Aid

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 Overview Of Asthma

  • Individuals with asthma have lungs and airways which are very sensitive. When confronted with certain triggers the airways become constricted, making it difficult to breathe.
  • It can take anywhere from 5 minutes to a few days for an asthma attack to develop.
  • During an asthma attack, the major symptoms might be tightness of the chest, coughing, gasping and a shortness of breath. These symptoms can deteriorate over time. You need to identify the signs of an asthma attack.

Signs Of A Brutal Asthma Attack:

  • Out of breath and severe restriction on the chest
    Individuals with asthma have lungs and airways which are very sensitive. When confronted with certain triggers the airways become constricted, making it difficult to breathe.
    Individuals with asthma have lungs and airways which are very sensitive. When confronted with certain triggers the airways become constricted, making it difficult to breathe.
  • Unable to talk more than two words per breath
  • Feeling distraught and nervous
  • Little or no progress after inhaling the blue reliever medication
  • Bluish color around the lips (which can at times be difficult to see if the skin colour also varies)
  • Pale and clammy
  • If an individual is suffering from an asthma attack, you must begin Asthma First Aid.

Asthma First Aid Treatment And Steps

Step 1 – Sit the casualty in a vertical position, stay calm and provide comfort. Do not leave the casualty alone.

Step 2 – Without waiting, take a blue reliever medication and give 4 puffs.

Step 3 – Then wait for about 4 minutes.

Step 4 – If there is little or no progress redo steps 2 and 3. If there is still no progress, or you are worried at any time – phone the emergency services right away. Tell the dispatcher the casualty is suffering from an asthma attack. Keep providing the casualty with 4 puffs every 4 minutes until the ambulance arrives. Note: Providing blue reliever medication to a person who doesn’t have asthma won’t harm them in any way.

Related Video On Asthma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aK76DoxKGk

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