How To Help Someone With Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation is rapid breathing or over breathing, and is often caused by anxiety or fear. Check the cause of hyperventilation is not asthma as it’s a different condition with some different treatments.

Step 1: Reassure the person

Speak to the person in a reassuring but firm manner.

Step 2: Remove from the source of distress

Step 3: Try the counting method

...If the person’s breathing has not come under control, encourage them to breathe in and out slowly. Ask the person to breathe in and out on your count. Begin by counting aloud, encouraging the person to breath in for 2 and then out for 2, gradually increase the count to 4 and then 6 if possible until their breathing has slowed down and regulated.

Step 4: Try the paper bag method

Ask the person to breathe in and out of a paper bag. The bag only needs to be sealed around the nose and mouth. This should be done by alternating around 10 breaths into and out of the bag, followed by breathing without a bag for 15 seconds.

Step 5: Seek medical help

If the symptoms do not subside within 15 minutes seek urgent medical advice.