Asthma attack response
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Recognising and responding to an asthma attack’
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Asthma first aid
Asthma first aid
The six steps for delivering first aid support to someone having an asthma attack are explained in this short video.
No captions or transcript
Response to an asthma attack
Response to an asthma attack
Follow the six steps in these first-aid posters when responding to an asthma attack.
Posters are available in te reo Māori and English.
![11254 [Asthma-First-Aid-Posters.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Asthma-First-Aid-Posters__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Asthma emergency treatment
Asthma emergency treatment
With spacer
- Shake inhaler and insert inhaler mouthpiece into spacer.
- Place spacer mouthpiece in person’s mouth and press the canister once.
- Ask the person to breathe in and out normally for about 6 breaths.
- Repeat in quick succession until 6 puffs have been given.
Without spacer
- Shake inhaler.
- Place mouthpiece in the person’s mouth.
- Give 1 puff as the person inhales slowly and steadily.
- Ask the person to hold that breath for 6 seconds, then take 6 normal breaths.
- Repeat as required.
Source: Asthma + Respiratory Foundation NZ (opens in a new tab/window)
Response to difficulty breathing
Response to difficulty breathing
If a child or young person collapses and appears to have difficulty breathing, call an ambulance immediately whether or not the person is known to have asthma.
Follow the Asthma + Respiratory Foundation’s response procedure for someone’s first asthma attack.
- Call an ambulance immediately (DIAL 111).
- Give six puffs of a reliever inhaler.
- Six breaths for each puff.
- Repeat every six minutes, if little or no improvement.
No harm is likely to result from giving a reliever to someone who does not have asthma.
Note: An asthma emergency kit can be purchased from Asthma + Respiratory Foundation NZ. This includes a letter of Authorisation for Reliever Inhaler. This can be used only by schools and colleges in accordance with Ministry of Health Guidelines.
Source: Asthma + Respiratory Foundation NZ (opens in a new tab/window)
Emergency treatment
Emergency treatment
Follow the Asthma + Respiratory Foundation NZ’s response procedure for an asthma attack.
![11268 [Asthma-emergency-treatement.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Asthma-emergency-treatement__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Useful resources
Useful resources
First aid information.
What to do in an emergency
Signs of an acute asthma attack requiring immediate action and an emergency plan are described in this information page.
Publisher: Asthma NZ
Asthma
First aid information outlining what to do during an asthma attack.
Publisher: St John NZ
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Recognise and respond to an asthma attack ”:
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Return to the guide “Asthma and learning”
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Recognise and respond to an asthma attackShow suggestions for Recognise and respond to an asthma attack
- Asthma attack symptoms
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