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Breathing Trouble / Asthma

Sit them upright, help with their own prescribed inhaler, call 112 if severe.

urgentGENERAL FIRST AIDReviewed 2026-08-18
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RECOGNIZE

  • Struggling to breathe, wheezing, or breathing very fast.
  • Unable to speak in full sentences.
  • Blue or grey lips, tongue or fingertips.
  • Drowsiness, exhaustion or silent chest — these are danger signs.
  • Using neck and shoulder muscles to breathe; in children, the ribs pulling in.

CALL

  • Call 112 if the person cannot speak in full sentences, has blue lips, is exhausted, or is getting worse.
  • Call 112 if their reliever inhaler is not helping.

DO NOW

  1. 1SIT THEM UPRIGHTHelp them sit up and lean slightly forward. Do not make them lie down.
  2. 2KEEP CALM AND LOOSEN CLOTHINGStay calm, speak slowly, and open tight collars.
  3. 3HELP WITH THEIR OWN INHALERIf they have their own prescribed reliever inhaler, help them use it as their doctor instructed.
  4. 4MOVE AWAY FROM THE TRIGGERGet away from smoke, dust, fumes, strong smells or an animal if that is the trigger.
  5. 5CALL 112 IF SEVERE OR NOT IMPROVINGCannot speak, blue lips, exhaustion, or no improvement — call now.
  6. 6IF THEY COLLAPSECheck breathing; if it is not normal, start CPR.

DO NOT DO

  • DO NOT make them lie flat.
  • DO NOT give someone else's inhaler or medicines unless a health professional directs you.
  • DO NOT leave them alone.
  • DO NOT crowd around them.
  • DO NOT delay calling 112 while waiting for an inhaler to work.

WHILE WAITING FOR HELP

  • Keep them sitting upright and calm.
  • Note the time the attack started and how many inhaler doses were taken.
  • Keep watching lips, speech and level of alertness.
  • Keep the inhaler and spacer ready for the crew.

WHEN TO ESCALATE

  • Blue lips, silent chest, drowsiness, or exhaustion → immediate emergency.
  • Face or throat swelling with the breathlessness → Anaphylaxis flow.
  • Not breathing normally → Cardiac Arrest flow.

AFTERCARE

  • Anyone who needed emergency help for breathing should see a doctor to review their treatment plan.
  • People with asthma should always carry their prescribed reliever inhaler.
Open CPR Metronome

CPR rhythm · 110 per minute

PUSH

Push hard in the centre of the chest. At least 5 cm deep, not more than about 6 cm. Let the chest come fully back up each time.

Keep going until the person breathes normally or trained responders take over.

MEDICAL SOURCES

  • American Red Cross

    Focused Updates and Guidelines for First Aid

    Published / updated 2024 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18

  • European Resuscitation Council

    ERC Guidelines — Basic Life Support and First Aid

    Published / updated 2021 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18

    Open source

This content is educational first-aid guidance and does not replace emergency medical care. Guidelines can change. Verify clinical guidance periodically.

Related emergencies

Not Breathing / Unconscious (Cardiac Arrest)Heart Attack / Chest PainStrokeChokingSevere Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)
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