Awareness

In an emergency, your immediate reaction could be the difference between life and death.

A severe asthma attack can quickly turn another episode into a life-threatening situation if not dealt with quickly and correctly. While asthma is common during childhood, it’s important to remember that you can develop it later in life. This often means a person may not recognise the early signs of an asthma attack, simply because they are not used to dealing with it.

Some conditions can become life-threatening within minutes, and what happens in those moments before emergency medical help arrives becomes more important than ever. In the first few minutes after an emergency, the steps taken by those at the scene, from recognising the signs of an emergency to calling for help and providing appropriate first aid, can help a patient stay alive until paramedics arrive. 

Call ER24 on 084 124 in the event you experience a severe asthma attack

The steps to follow during an asthma attack

  • Step 1: Stay calm. Stop what you are doing and sit up straight. Do not lie down.
  • Step 2: Take out your asthma pump. Shake it and use a spacer if you have one. Take 4 separate puffs, taking slow breaths after each puff.
  • Step 3: Wait 4 minutes to see if your breathing gets easier.
  • Step 4: If the symptoms keep getting worse, call an ambulance for help immediately
  • Step 5: Be specific and tell the operator that you or the person you are helping is experiencing a severe asthma attack.
> Remember, asthma affects everyone in different ways. Stay prepared and save the number 084 124 on your phone