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Respiratory Emergency Response

A breathing emergency can happen in a barn, a field or a kitchen. Planning ahead, knowing your address, and calling 911 early give people the best chance.

What counts as a respiratory emergency?

Severe trouble breathing, inability to speak in full sentences, blue or gray lips, chest pain, confusion, collapse, or a reaction that does not improve after prescribed medicine are all reasons to call 911.

Emergencies can follow exposure to smoke, fumes, gases, dust or an allergic reaction, or can arise from a medical condition. Do not try to judge the cause before getting help.

If a person has a prescribed rescue medicine, such as an inhaler or an auto-injector, make sure that it is where they can reach it and that others know about it. Follow the plan their provider has given them. Remember that people under stress may forget steps, so keep the plan simple and posted where it can be seen. Ask a nurse, paramedic or Red Cross instructor to speak at a family or crew meeting about recognizing breathing emergencies.

What should you do first?

Call 911 and follow the dispatcher's instructions. Stay on the line. Give your exact location, including road names and landmarks, and say what has happened.

Do not put yourself in danger. If the cause may be fumes, gases, fire or a confined space, do not enter. Never go into a hazardous space to try a rescue without proper training and equipment. Wait for trained responders.

Do not give food, drink or medicine to someone who is struggling to breathe unless the dispatcher or their own medical plan tells you to. Let trained responders decide. Ask the Red Cross or your fire department about classes that suit farm families, and encourage teens to attend. Remember that heat, smoke and chemical fumes can all cause breathing emergencies, so the plan needs to work for each one.

What can you prepare ahead?

Plan before the busy season. Post your address and directions where everyone can see them. Make sure phones work in key areas, and decide where each person will meet responders and guide them in.

Ask your local fire department and ambulance service to visit. They can tell you how long response may take in your area and what information helps them reach you.

If more than one person is affected, tell the dispatcher. A group of people with symptoms can mean an exposure in the air that still threatens others, and responders need to know before they arrive. If your farm is in a remote area, consider talking with neighbors about helping each other during emergencies.

• Posted address and directions
• Phone coverage checked in barns and fields
• Gate access and clear lanes
• Meeting point for responders
• List of hazards in each building

What about first aid training?

Recognized training from the American Red Cross and other organizations teaches skills in a hands-on setting. This article does not provide first aid steps. Take a class and refresh regularly.

Ask whether classes are available in your area, and whether your county extension or fire department offers farm-specific emergency training.

Share this plan with teens and visitors, not just adults who work daily. A child who knows the address and how to call 911 can make a big difference.

What should you tell responders?

Tell them what happened, how long the person was exposed, what substances or products may be involved, and any medical conditions or prescribed medicines. Have safety data sheets available for chemicals.

Keep the information with you. If someone is taken to the hospital, send the safety data sheet and product information along.

Keep a charged phone, a flashlight and the safety data sheets in a place that is quick to reach, such as a labeled folder near the door of each building.

How do you support people after an emergency?

After an event, follow up with the person's provider. Some effects, such as those from smoke or chemicals, may show up later. Offer emotional support, as emergencies can be frightening for witnesses.

Review what happened and what could be improved, without blame. Update your plan and share it.

How can you check your readiness?

Once a year, test your plan. Does everyone know the address? Do phones work? Can an ambulance reach every building? Fix what does not work.

Include seasonal and temporary workers, who may not know your layout.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.