What should you do if a person with asthma does not improve five minutes after initial treatment?

When dealing with a person with asthma who has not improved after five minutes following the initial treatment, the most appropriate action is to activate emergency medical services (EMS) immediately. This is because a lack of improvement indicates that the asthma episode may be severe or progressing, possibly requiring advanced medical intervention that exceeds what can be managed in a non-emergency setting.

Asthma can escalate quickly, and timely medical assistance is crucial to ensure that the individual receives the appropriate treatment, such as additional medications or other life-saving interventions, that may not be available to you as a bystander. Activating EMS ensures that trained professionals can assess the situation further and provide the necessary care.

While suggesting deep breathing exercises or moving to a more ventilated area might seem helpful, these measures do not directly address the underlying problem of inadequate respiratory function. Giving more medication could also pose risks without medical guidance, particularly if the individual has already been administered the maximum dosage allowed before professional help arrives. Hence, the priority is to secure emergency assistance when the initial treatment does not result in improvement.