A severe allergic reaction, minutes after a sting, a food, or a drug. Swelling of the face, lips or tongue; a hoarse voice or a tight throat; wheeze or difficulty breathing; a widespread rash; sudden pallor and collapse; a sense of impending doom.
- Adrenaline first, not last. If they carry an auto-injector, use it — into the outer thigh, through clothing if necessary. It is designed to be used by an untrained person, and the harm of using one on somebody who turns out not to be anaphylactic is far smaller than the harm of waiting.
- Call the emergency number. Say the word anaphylaxis.
- Lie them flat, legs raised if they are faint; sitting up only if breathing is easier that way, and then supported. Do not stand them up and do not walk them anywhere — sudden standing during anaphylaxis has caused cardiac arrest. If they are pregnant, lie them on their left side.
- A second dose after five minutes if there is no improvement and a second injector is available.
- Everybody goes to hospital, including everybody who got better. The reaction can return hours later.
- If they stop breathing normally, start chest compressions.
Note the time of each injection and keep the used devices for the crew.
Source. European Resuscitation Council, Guidelines 2021, First Aid section, https://cprguidelines.eu/guidelines-2021
What this is not. Reading, not certification.