How can you assist a person experiencing hyperventilation?

Helping someone who is experiencing hyperventilation involves techniques that focus on regulating their breathing and reducing anxiety. Encouraging the person to breathe into a paper bag can help by providing them with CO2 that they may be lacking due to the rapid exhalation during hyperventilation. This method increases carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which can help to restore normal breathing patterns. Additionally, calming the individual helps reduce anxiety, which is often a significant factor contributing to hyperventilation.

While offering water to drink may seem supportive, it does not directly address the issue of hyperventilation or assist in normalizing their breathing. Placing the person in a standing position could exacerbate feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness that can accompany hyperventilation. Encouraging deep inhalations through the nose is not advisable in this scenario, as the goal is to slow down their breathing rather than increasing the depth of breath, which might worsen the situation.