Did You Know?
Every 10 seconds, someone in the UK has an asthma attack, according to Asthma and Lung UK. Around 7.2 million people in the UK were estimated to be living with asthma in 2025, which equates to about eight in every 100 people.
While there is no specific national report for asthma deaths in 2025, between April 2019 and March 2023, there were 54 child deaths attributed to asthma in the UK, averaging approximately one death every four weeks.
What to Do
If someone is having an asthma attack, something in the air has caused the air passageways to narrow, making breathing difficult. If it continues to get worse, the casualty may collapse due to a lack of oxygen.
Go to the casualty, talk to them and reassure them. Ask if this has happened before and whether they have medication. The best position is for the casualty to sit down upright so they can make the best use of their lung space. Leaning them forward restricts breathing.
You can help someone take their medication, so help the casualty to get theirs if they have it. With the blue reliever medication, it usually needs shaking for 5–10 seconds to mix the propellant. Remember to take the cap off and check the mouthpiece is clear.
Take a Deep Breath
Many people have told me that, in their haste, they have forgotten to take the cap off or shake the medication. One even admitted to firing a 5p coin to the back of her throat because the inhaler had been shoved in her handbag and the cap had fallen off.
Ask your casualty to take a deep breath in, then out. Put the mouthpiece in their mouth, press the top to activate it, then take a slow, deep breath in for 3–5 seconds and hold their breath for as long as they can. This gives the medication the most time to work on opening the air passageways. Then breathe out slowly and evenly.
If they need another puff, allow it after about one minute. If they have a spacer, help them to use it, as it allows the medication to be used more effectively.
If they do not feel better after 10 puffs, or start to get worse, ring 999.
Do
- Sit the casualty upright.
- Help them with their medication.
- Talk to and reassure your casualty.
Do Not
- Leave the casualty on their own.
- Lie them down unless they are going into unconsciousness.
- Take them outside for a ‘breath of fresh air’.
Is That It?
No, of course not, but it’s a start, and you could save a life. What is it like to use an inhaler? What if they collapse?
If you want to learn more, please get in touch and book some First Aid training at dave@reddragonventures.co.uk, and like and follow our Facebook page.
About Dave
Dave is Director, Trainer and Teacher with Red Dragon Ventures Ltd First Aid Trainers. He lives in Holywell.
Feature image by CNordic Nordic on Unsplash.
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