If someone suddenly gets an asthma attack, do you know how to help them?

When I was in 100 level, one evening my roommate suddenly started gasping for air and rolling on the floor. I did not even know she had asthma.

She could not talk. She just kept pointing at her school bag and her mouth.

I poured everything out, and she touched the inhaler, but I did not know how to use it.

I panicked and ran out to call for help. People rushed in, but nobody knew what to do until one of the hostel coordinators came in, used the inhaler for her and she became stable within minutes.

Afterwards, I asked her what triggered it. Nobody was cooking, and the room was clean.

She said she perceived camphor, and that alone was enough to trigger her attack.

She explained that asthma can be triggered by things like dust, smoke, strong scents, or burnt food. She also taught me how to properly use an inhaler.

Since that day, I have never forgotten.

To help others learn too, I put together simple, life-saving tips in the carousel below:

➽ How to use an asthma inhaler

➽ Common triggers of an asthma attack

➽ Warning signs of an approaching attack

➽ Asthma Attack First Aid using the A S T H M A Acronym

These little things can actually save someone’s life one day.

#AsthmaAwareness #FirstAid #HealthEducation #Nurses