What is happening?

What to do

1. Emergency help for worsening, no inhaler or no improvement after their maximum dose. If severely unwell, do not wait to finish doses.
2. Known asthma/allergy and possible exposure followed by sudden severe breathing difficulty: treat possible anaphylaxis with the autoinjector first and call. Inhaler afterward.
3. If awake, help them sit in a position that makes breathing easier. Do not make them walk.
4. Help use their prescribed reliever according to their plan. For a compatible spray inhaler, use their spacer if available.
5. Child: use their prescribed plan and assist with their device. Unclear plan: seek advice now. Do not copy adult doses. Sequence below only for an adult with that salbutamol.
6. Compatible spray/spacer mouthpiece they can seal: remove caps, check no objects and shake. Attach. Seal lips, one puff, five slow breaths. One puff at a time. Next per plan.
7. Adult only: their prescribed salbutamol metered-dose spray: 1 puff every 30–60 seconds until better, maximum 10. Shake between puffs. Follow their plan if its maximum differs.
8. AIR/MART or a different device: follow that medicine’s specific plan. Do not copy the 10 salbutamol puffs. If unsure what it is or not improving, get help.
9. If no better after 10 minutes and ambulance absent, repeat the stated salbutamol sequence. For AIR/MART follow your plan and dispatcher.
10. Stay if safe. Watch response and breathing. Report changes to the dispatcher.
11. If unresponsive: call emergency services. If breathing is abnormal, start CPR with dispatcher guidance.
12. Even if better, arrange urgent medical review the same day.
13. Powder, mask or different device: use only their taught technique and label. No spacer on a powder inhaler or improvised face seal. Unable to use it: emergency help.