First Aid Tips for Asthma

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes difficulties in breathing. It’s triggered by dust, pollen, animal hair, etc. This causes swelling and narrowing of the passages that carry air to and from the lungs.

Currently, there isn’t a cure, but medical treatment can help control the symptoms when the symptoms get significantly worse, this is commonly known as an asthma attack. 

If you or someone you are with is experiencing any of the signs of Asthma, start Asthma First Aid by helping or giving them their reliever medication in the form of the blue-grey inhaler.

DO NOT wait until asthma is severe to start treatment.

Mild to moderate asthma signs (commence Asthma First Aid):

• difficulty breathing may have a wheeze (high-pitched, coarse whistling sound when breathing.)

• able to talk more than a couple of words

• coughing

• chest tightness

• anxiety

Severe to Life-threatening Asthma signs (Call 000 Immediately and commence Asthma First Aid):

• gasping for air

• unable to speak one to two words per breath

• coughing that may induce dry reaching or vomiting

• getting little or no relief from their reliever inhaler

•  exhausted and/or collapse

• may no longer have wheeze or cough.

• unconsciousness

Asthma First Aid in four steps.

1. Sit the person upright if possible

2. Give 4 puffs from the reliever inhaler through a spacer if available

3. Wait four minutes. If there is no improvement, give four more separate puffs as in step 2.

4. If there is still no improvement, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

Use an Inhaler With a Spacer

• Remove the cylinder from the plastic holder and check the expiry date is in date then replace

• Remove the cap from the mouthpiece and shake the inhaler well

• Test the inhaler is working by pushing the top of the cylinder firmly down, if working you will see a powdered mist burst from the mouthpiece

• Insert inhaler into the spacer end and shake

• Place the spacer mouthpiece in the person’s mouth for them to make a seal around the mouthpiece

• Press once firmly on top of the cylinder and the powdered mist will enter the spacers

• 4 breaths should be taken in and out from the spacer

• Repeat 1 puff at a time until 4 puffs taken – remember to shake the inhaler before each puff

•  Call 000 if no improvement after 4 mins and continue to give the Inhaler

• If they are unconscious and not breathing normally START CPR

Use of Inhaler Without a Spacer

• Remove the cylinder from the plastic holder and check the expiry date then replace if in date

• Remove the cap from the mouthpiece and shake the inhaler well

• Test the inhaler is working by pushing the top of the cylinder firmly down, if working you will see a powdered mist burst from the mouthpiece

• Have the person breathe out

• Place the inhaler mouthpiece in the person’s mouth for them to make a seal around the mouthpiece

• Press once firmly on the cylinder while the person breaths in

• Slip puffer out of the mouth and shake

• Ask the person to hold their breath for 4 seconds or until comfortable

• Breathe out slowly

• Repeat 1 puff at a time until 4 puffs taken – remember to shake the inhaler before each puff

• Repeat the process again if needed

• Call 000 if no improvement after 4 mins and continue to give the Inhaler

• If they are unconscious and not breathing normally START CPR

Watch our video on How to use a Puffer.
Click Here

Fluid Poster
Download our Asthma First Aid Poster so you have the steps available to follow at any time.