How to Treat Asthma Attacks in the Wilderness

Most people with asthma have had their first attack long before they enter the wilderness. Find out whether any of your wilderness buddies have asthma and how you can best assist them in the event of an attack.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• EpiPens
• Inhalers

Mild to Moderate Asthma Attacks

1. Know in advance what your companions are allergic to and where they keep their inhalers, epinephrine kits and allergy medications. Consider wearing a medic alert bracelet if you know you are susceptible to anaphylactic shock (a severe allergic reaction).

2. Learn to identify the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack: difficulty breathing (especially exhaling), wheezing, coughing, mucous in the cough, and rapid pulse and respiratory rate.

3. Remove the person from contact with the allergen if you suspect the allergen is something in the air or on the skin. Sometimes moving a few yards away is enough to help with recovery.

4. Keep the person calm and sitting upright.

5. Assist the person in using his or her inhaler. The medication should be inhaled deep into the lungs.

6. Coach the person to breathe steadily with pursed lips (puckered or "fish" lips), especially on the exhale. Breathe with the person, helping them focus on you.

7. Administer plenty of fluids. Inhaling steam may also be helpful.

8. Administer oxygen at altitude if available.

Severe Asthma Attacks

9. Learn to identify the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis: difficulty breathing; wheezing; rash; itching; hives; swelling of the feet, hands, eyes or face; flushed skin; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; and rapid pulse.

10. Treat for anaphylaxis by using injectable epinephrine to open the airway (See "How to Treat Severe Allergic Reactions").

11. Evacuate immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Most people who know that they are susceptible to anaphylactic shock will carry an Anakit or an EpiPen. Find out what they are allergic to, where they keep their kit and how their injections are administered so that you can assist them in an emergency situation.
• Guides and leaders bringing others into remote areas might think about carrying an Anakit or EpiPen in their first aid kit. Consult a doctor.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[leroyglarson]

on 6/8/2009 you can try this http://albuterolstore.com/

on 8/8/2006 STEPS:
1. Have asthmatic sit on your lap
2. have asthmatic round their back
3. tell asthmatic to tighten their stomach mucles
4. rub the asthmatic's back in a cirular motion
5. with both hands pat the middle of the person's back
6. to keep the person's back from getting red from all the hard back blows
rub their back inbetween every 5 pats
7. the more seviere the level of weeze the harder the pat on the back should be

on 8/8/2006 Steps:
1. have the person sit on your lap
2. have the person round their back
3. pat the person on the back with both hands
4. have them caugh

on 11/22/2005 Have the toddler lay across your lap and then with both hands pat him\\her on the back to loosen up the mucus.

on 11/22/2005 This method of chest PT is what I find most helpful for my boyfriend, Mike. See, Mike is not an asthmatic but does sometimes have trouble breathing. When this happens, most of the time I end up carrying him over to the chair or bed but once I get him there, I sit him on my lap and with one hand I pat him on the back (right between the shoulders). I pat really, really hard and then I make him cough. It takes a while but it clears his lungs.