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Asthma first aid
Sit upright. Stay with them. Follow their asthma action plan.
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Asthma first aid
Call 000 immediately for severe breathing trouble, inability to speak normally, blue/grey lips, drowsiness, rapid worsening or no reliever.
1 / Sit upright and reassure
Do not leave the person alone. Help them follow their written action plan and use their reliever. Other relievers have different instructions from a blue/grey puffer.
2 / Blue/grey puffer: give 4 separate puffs
Shake the puffer. Preferably use a spacer: give 1 puff, then have the person take 4 breaths from the spacer. Repeat until 4 puffs have been given. Without a spacer, use the puffer.
3 / Wait 4 minutes and reassess
If breathing is not improving, call 000 and ask for an ambulance. Keep giving 4 separate puffs every 4 minutes while waiting. Call immediately at any time if symptoms are severe or worsening.
4 / While the ambulance is coming
Keep giving 4 separate puffs every 4 minutes and follow the call-taker. The 4-puff sequence applies to a blue/grey reliever, not every asthma medicine.
Sources & update
Updated 7 September 2026. General information; follow the 000 call-taker. This independent quick reference does not replace first aid training or a personal action plan. Source organisations do not endorse this site.