Even though most asthma attacks are mild, they can be fatal. Fortunately it is a condition that most children will grow out of (with symptoms disappearing after around seven years). Because of its seriousness, your GP should have given you an action plan to follow and this will include relievers with medication such as Ventolin.

It’s important to carry the reliever at all times because it’s an integral part of the first aid process when your child suffers an asthma attack.

How to spot an asthma attack

You’ll know as soon as your child is having an asthma attack. Classic signs include wheezy breathing and coughing, fast breathing, and talking in short sentences. During more severe attacks, the skin may turn blue and you’ll hear a sucking noise around the throat area. In the worst cases, the wheezing may disappear entirely.

Children can find asthma attacks very upsetting, and this anxiety can make the attack worse, so the first thing to do is to remain calm yourself – children feed off how you act: the calmer you are, the more quickly the first aid will kick in.

Remember 4 x 4 x 4

The first thing to do is to ensure your child is sitting upright. They probably won’t feel like doing this, so with young children place then on your lap and support them with one hand behind their back. Once you’ve done this, you can use the 4 x 4 x 4 method:

• Give four puffs on the reliever
• Wait four minutes
• Repeat steps 1 and 2
• Carry this cycle through 4 times. Then, if the attack is still continuing, call an ambulance
• Continue to administer four puffs on the inhaler followed by four minutes of rest while waiting for the ambulance to arrive

Using a spacer

Spacers aren’t cool for kids to carry around, but they do help the effectiveness of a reliever. If you use one, you’ll need to modify the 4 x 4 x 4 tactic a little:

Each single puff on the reliever needs to be followed by four breaths. When four puffs have been administered, then wait four minutes. Repeat this process. If there is no improvement in symptoms, call an ambulance and maintain asthma first aid until it arrives.