Asthma attack without an inhaler
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
During an asthma attack without an inhaler, staying calm and getting the posture right are the first measures.
What to do
• Have the person sit upright, leaning slightly forward with hands on knees
• Encourage calm breathing — pursed-lip breathing (breathing out through pursed lips)
• Move the person away from the trigger (smoke, dust, cold)
• Look for a spare inhaler or emergency medication
• Call 112 if there is no improvement after 10 to 15 minutes
Do not do
• Do not lay the person flat
• Do not give water to drink during an acute attack
• Do not use other medication unless you are certain
Warning signs
• Lips turning blue — call 112 immediately
• The person can no longer speak because of breathlessness
• Breathing speeds up dramatically while the volume of air drops
Get help if
• No improvement after 15 minutes without an inhaler
• Signs of turning blue
• A first attack in a child
Why this matters
A severe asthma attack without a bronchodilator can be fatal. Calling 112 in time is crucial.
Source: Astma Fonds Nederland · reviewed 2025-01-01