…..usually contained in a blue plastic inhaler. Shake the inhaler, then ask the person to take a single puff from their inhaler. Ask them to then take six breaths before administering another single puff. Repeat the process of one puff to six breaths until six puffs have been completed.
Ideally, the medication is administered via a spacer. We will discuss spacers tomorrow. Where a spacer is not available, use the inhaler alone, use the person’s personal inhaler where possible. If it is not available, it is acceptable to use one from a first aid kit or one provided by someone else. Following the initial six puffs, wait for six minutes. If there is little improvement, offer a further six puffs. If there is still no improvement seen, call the emergency services. Continue to offer six puffs every six minutes until help arrives.
Please note: A severe Asthma attack may develop very quickly; however, it can develop over several days.
Tomorrow we will look at managing an Asthma attack and using a spacer….
Support help and advice is available from the awesome people at Asthma New Zealand
For great health information check out Health Navigator New Zealand where you will find expert opinion online.
Click here to learn more and find out how you can learn first aid for FREE
Currently, there are temporary changes to the steps to be followed in resuscitation. These can be found in the video below or by clicking here to see the New Zealand Resuscitation Council temporary guideline recommendation.
Click the link to go to the New Zealand Resuscitation Council Covid-19 recommended modifications for delivering resuscitation whilst the pandemic remains a threat. Click play to see a short video outlining CPR modifications that should be followed during the pandemic.
Click here to find out how you can learn first aid for FREE
To learn more from the experts about previously covered conditions click their logo below.
Acknowledgement
Data and information are fact-checked against various recognised sources, including the New Zealand Resuscitation Council, Health Navigator New Zealand, St John, and other recognised entities specialising in the specific subject content. It should be noted that variances in protocols exist and where necessary are identified.