Hyperventilation

●Moderate

⚠️ Check: Is the area safe for you to approach?

Stay calm. Sit upright. Slow breaths out longer. Call 112 if chest pain or blue lips.

Step 1: Stay calm and speak slowly in short sentences
Step 2: Help them sit upright and loosen tight clothing
Step 3: Guide slow breathing — longer exhale than inhale
Step 4: Move to quieter space away from crowds if possible
Step 5: Call 112 if chest pain, blue lips, fainting, or not improving in 10 minutes

❌

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT tell them to "calm down" or shout — this worsens panic.

❌

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use a paper bag — not recommended and can be dangerous if cause is unknown.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if chest pain, blue lips, fainting, or symptoms do not ease in 10 minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: "Fast breathing after panic. Chest pain: yes/no. Lips blue: yes/no."

Chest pain, blue lips, confusion, fainting, or asthma history with wheeze needs emergency care.

DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — First episode with chest pain or age over 40 with risk factors — treat as possible heart emergency.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Repeated panic breathing may need doctor or counsellor follow-up — not shameful.

Know your limits: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Reassurance and paced breathing only. Do not diagnose panic vs heart attack without help.

This helper does not contact emergency services. You must call yourself.

When you are safe, you can read more about this emergency.

Before you help: Ask if you can sit with them and help them breathe slowly.

This content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. Use alongside calling emergency services.

Current step: Step 1 of 5