HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Asthma emergency
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Asthma can sometimes be life-threatening. The information on this page tells you what to look for and what to do if there is an asthma emergency.
Signs of life-threatening asthma
Asthma is life-threatening if someone:
- cannot speak more than one or two words per breath
- is distressed or feels frightened
- shows little or no improvement after using a reliever
- is hunched over and struggling to breathe
- has blueness around their lips.
What to do
Do not panic. Keep the person calm and comfortable while acting confidently and without delay.
Follow the four-step asthma emergency plan.
1. |
Sit the person upright. Loosen any tight clothing. Stay with the person. Remain calm and reassuring. |
2. |
Give them six doses of a reliever inhaler. This will either be their single combination inhaler (for example, Symbicort, Vannair or Duoresp) or a separate blue inhaler (for example, Respigen, Salamol, Ventolin or Bricanyl). Ideally give them one dose at a time using a spacer. After each dose, ask the person to take six breaths from the spacer. |
3. |
Wait 6 minutes. |
Important
4. |
If there is little or no improvement, call an ambulance by dialling 111. Continually repeat steps 2 and 3 while waiting for the ambulance. Remember, an ambulance can provide treatment and is a much safer form of transport than a car. |
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2021.
SourcesReview key: HIASA-39947
