Hyperventilation
Introduction
Hyperventilation is excessive breathing, it is normally caused
by acute anxiety and it may accompany a panic attack, it can also
occur in individuals who have recently experienced an emotional or
psychological shock.
Recognition
- Unnaturally fast deep breathing.
- Attention seeking behaviour.
- Dizziness.
- Feeling faint.
- Trembling or marked tingling in the hands and cramps in the
hands and feet.
Treatment
Your aim with somebody who is hyperventilating is to remove the
casualty from the cause of distress, to reassure them and calm them
down.
- Speak to them firmly, but be kind and reassuring.
- Remove them to a place that is quiet.
- If this is not possible ask bystanders to leave or turn
away.
Encourage the casualty to see their own doctor about preventing
and controlling panic attacks in the future.
Related topics
Please note:
These hints are no substitute for thorough knowledge of first
aid! St John Ambulance holds first aid
courses throughout the country.