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What is happening?

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Instructions for helping yourself

Difficulty breathing

Before continuing

In an emergency, contact the official service (141) in your area.

What to do

  1. Severe breathlessness or confusion: call now. If unable to speak, ask someone to call and explain for you.
  2. Stop exertion. Stay in a position easing breathing and ask someone to stay. For suspected severe allergy, use the anaphylaxis guide.
  3. Give location and symptoms. No phone or signal: ask someone to call from a safe place. Do not delay help to collect belongings.
  4. New or worse-than-usual breathlessness needs assessment even if not severe. Blood cough, swollen leg or palpitations: urgent advice.

What to avoid

  1. Do not assume anxiety or asthma. Breathlessness can have another cause.
  2. Do not drive with breathing difficulty.
Child or baby unresponsive and not breathing normally: child CPRPossible CO: leave, no unequipped rescueChemical cloud: protect before approachPossible severe allergy: positioning and own adrenalineAdult unresponsive and not breathing normally: CPRKnown asthma: own inhalerAdult cannot speak/cough after eatingBaby chokingChild choking