What is the correct action to take when helping someone with breathing problems?

When helping someone with breathing problems, staying with the person until help arrives is crucial. This action ensures that they are not alone during a potentially distressing situation and allows you to monitor their condition closely. You can provide reassurance, make them feel more comfortable, and be prepared to assist emergency responders with any information they may need when they arrive.

Remaining with the individual can also allow for observation of their symptoms, which can be important for understanding the severity of their condition and communicating this information to medical professionals. You can help them find a comfortable position and calm them to reduce anxiety, which may assist in making their breathing easier.

While it's important to note that having assistance available, such as medications like inhalers for asthma, can be beneficial, it cannot be assumed that the individual will have them readily available. Encouraging movement, such as walking around, may exacerbate the problem by increasing the demand for oxygen, potentially worsening their condition. Performing a physical examination would typically be outside the scope of first aid responses, particularly if you are not trained to assess the individual’s medical condition thoroughly. Therefore, staying with the person is the safest and most supportive action to take.