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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone is having a severe allergic reaction and you need to help them use an epinephrine auto-injector before help arrives.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Cap off. Jab outer thigh hard. Hold 3 seconds. Second dose in 5 minutes if needed.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use epinephrine when there is trouble breathing, throat swelling, or signs of shock after a known allergy exposure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If the person carries an auto-injector and says they need it — use it immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — When in doubt during a clearly severe reaction, give epinephrine and call for help.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Epinephrine (adrenaline) narrows blood vessels, opens airways, and reverses the dangerous effects of anaphylaxis for a short time.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The device is designed for untrained bystanders. Using it early is safer than waiting.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Have someone call 112 or 108. Put the phone on speaker.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove the auto-injector from its case. Pull off the blue or grey safety cap — never touch the orange tip.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Have the person sit or lie down. Expose the outer middle thigh.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hold the injector with the orange tip against the outer thigh. Push firmly until you hear a click.
When and how to get professional help.
Epinephrine is emergency first aid — ambulance must still come.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow the device instructions. Inject into thigh only. Do not inject into fingers, buttocks, or veins.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108. Say: "I just gave epinephrine for a severe allergic reaction. Need ambulance."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Report the time of injection and whether a second dose may be needed.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT inject into fingers, hands, buttocks, or veins — wrong placement is dangerous.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT hesitate because the person is awake — epinephrine works best when given early.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT put your thumb over the orange tip — you could inject yourself.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should wait until someone collapses before using an EpiPen
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Epinephrine works best when given at the first signs of severe reaction — breathing trouble or throat swelling — not after collapse.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Anaphylaxis
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person is developing a rapid, whole-body allergic reaction after food, medicine, insect sting, or unknown trigger. Breathing or circulation may be failing.
Drug allergy
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person develops rash, swelling, breathing problems, or shock after taking a medicine — prescription, over-the-counter, or traditional remedy.
Food allergy
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person develops allergic symptoms — hives, swelling, vomiting, or breathing difficulty — after eating food they are allergic to or suspect they are allergic to.
Sting allergy
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person was stung by a bee, wasp, hornet, or ant and is developing an allergic reaction beyond normal local pain and swelling.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hold in place for 3 full seconds — count slowly. It can go through pants if needed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove and massage the injection site for 10 seconds.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Note the time given. If symptoms persist at 5 minutes and a second device is available — use it in the other thigh.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Delivers a measured dose of epinephrine to reverse severe allergic reaction
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 immediately and monitor breathing — but delay is dangerous if device is available
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Epinephrine is temporary. Hospital care is always required after use — even if the person feels better.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call immediately if breathing worsens, second dose is used, or the person becomes unresponsive.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Waiting until unconsciousness may be too late to prevent cardiac arrest.