All emergency guides
Emergency

Anaphylaxis

critical

Severe allergic reaction. Use adrenaline auto-injector immediately.

Call 999 where appropriate

Symptoms

  • Swelling of face, lips, tongue
  • Difficulty breathing, wheeze
  • Widespread rash / hives
  • Sudden collapse, pale/clammy
  • Sense of impending doom

Actions

  • Dial 999 immediately — say 'anaphylaxis'.
  • Use casualty's auto-injector (EpiPen / Jext / Emerade) into outer thigh — hold 10 seconds.
  • Lie casualty flat, raise legs. If breathing difficult, sit up. If pregnant, left side.
  • Second dose after 5 minutes if no improvement.
  • Prepare for CPR.

What NOT to do

  • Don't let casualty stand up suddenly
  • Don't wait to see if it passes

GuardAssist provides operational decision support. It does not replace formal training, employer procedures, assignment instructions or professional judgement. In a life-threatening emergency, dial 999.