Asthma at the park

Question 1

An 8-year-old has stopped running and is sitting on a bench, wheezing, shoulders hunched, struggling to finish a sentence. Asthma attack?

Accepted Answer

Almost certainly — wheeze, breathlessness, can't talk in full sentences and using shoulders to breathe are classic signs

Answer

Just out of breath — they'll be fine in a minute

Answer

Probably a panic attack — ignore it

Answer

You can't tell without a stethoscope

Question 2

They have a blue (salbutamol) inhaler in their bag. What do you do?

Accepted Answer

Sit them upright (leaning slightly forward), stay calm, and help them take their blue reliever inhaler — one puff at a time, ideally through a spacer if they have one

Answer

Lay them flat on their back to relax

Answer

Make them lie down and breathe into a paper bag

Answer

Walk them around to 'shake it off'

Question 3

10 puffs in and the wheeze isn't easing. When do you call 999?

Accepted Answer

Now — call 999 if the inhaler isn't helping after 10 puffs, the attack is severe (can't speak, blue lips, exhaustion, silent chest), or you're worried at any point

Answer

Only if they collapse

Answer

Wait another hour

Answer

Drive them to A&E yourself

Question 4

Should you offer them a brown (preventer) inhaler if they've got one too?

Accepted Answer

No — preventer (brown/orange/purple) inhalers take days to work and don't help in an attack. Use the blue reliever only

Answer

Yes — any inhaler helps

Answer

Use both at the same time

Answer

Use whichever one they grab

Question 5

Paramedics arrive. What do they most need to know?

Accepted Answer

Time symptoms started, what triggered it (if known), how many puffs of reliever you've given and when, their usual asthma treatment, and any known allergies

Answer

Their favourite sport

Answer

Their height and weight exactly

Answer

Nothing — you've done your bit

Asthma at the park — free online first aid refresher | Brity®