St. John Ambulance Wants Those with Breathing Difficulties to Be Aware of Smog Advisories
July 7, 2010 (Toronto, ON) – When the temperature rises, air quality begins to plummet and smog becomes a very real concern. Smog is a type of air pollution; a combination of smoke and fog that can have a serious impact on people with breathing difficulties such as asthma. Since smog can seriously affect a person’s ability to breathe, it is important for people to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a breathing emergency (such as an asthma attack), and to know what to do.
Signs & Symptoms of Breathing Difficulties (Asthma Attack)
- Shortness of breath with obvious trouble breathing
- Coughing or wheezing on expiration
- Fast and shallow breathing
- Casualty sitting upright, or leaning slightly forward trying to breathe
- Bluish colour to the lips or earlobes (cyanosis)
- Anxiety, tightness in the chest
- Fast pulse rate, shock
- Restlessness at first, then fatigued – the casualty quickly becomes tired from trying so hard to breathe
First Aid for Breathing Difficulties (Asthma Attack)
First aid intervention is only required for severe asthma attacks. In a mild asthmatic attack, the casualty may be able to manage on their own.
- Take charge, safely assess the situation, and as soon as you identify a severe asthma attack, send for medical help.
- Have the casualty stop any activity and place them in the most comfortable position for breathing. This is usually sitting upright with arms resting on a table.
- Assist the casualty with finding or using their prescribed medication.
- Give ongoing casualty care. Give them plenty of reassurance since fear and anxiety may worsen the symptoms.
- Stay with the casualty until medical help takes over.
To learn more about St. John Ambulance and the importance of first aid training visit,
www.sja.ca/on or contact your local St. John Ambulance Branch.
For over 125 years, St. John Ambulance has been training over 140,000 Ontarians annually in first aid and other health care related courses and remains dedicated to saving lives at work, home and play. With over 4,000 volunteers contributing over half a million hours of community service a year, St. John Ambulance is an integral part of the community offering such unique and innovative programs as; medical first response, disaster response, car seat clinics, health and safety related youth programs and therapy dog services. As a charitable, non-denominational, humanitarian organization, proceeds from St. John Ambulance’s first aid training and first aid product sales directly support these vital community services programs. For more information on St. John Ambulance training courses and volunteer opportunities or to contact your local branch, visit
www.sja.ca/on.