What should you do first if someone is struggling to breathe due to asthma and their medication is not working?

When someone is struggling to breathe due to an asthma attack and their medication is not providing relief, it is crucial to prioritize safety and ensure professional medical assistance is on the way. Calling Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is essential because they can provide advanced care and resources that may be beyond what a bystander can offer. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) may also be helpful if the person's condition deteriorates to the point of requiring cardiac assistance.

Although it might be tempting to take other actions like encouraging deep breathing or waiting for symptoms to improve, these options can delay critical intervention. Asthma can escalate quickly, leading to severe respiratory distress or a life-threatening situation, so immediate action is necessary. In such cases, seeking emergency help ensures that the affected person receives the best possible care as promptly as possible.