What is the recommended position for a casualty experiencing an asthma attack?

The recommended position for a casualty experiencing an asthma attack is to be sitting up with their elbows on a tray table. This position facilitates easier breathing by allowing the lungs to expand more fully and reducing pressure on the diaphragm. It promotes optimal airflow and helps the individual to access their airways effectively.

By sitting up, the casualty can also engage their accessory muscles of respiration more easily, which can be particularly important during an asthma attack when breathing may be labored. The use of a tray table to support their elbows not only provides stability but also encourages them to remain calm and focused on their breathing.

While other positions such as standing up straight or leaning against a wall might offer some relief, they do not provide the same degree of effectiveness in aiding breathing as sitting up does. Lying flat on the back can inhibit airflow and may worsen the situation by compressing the lungs and diaphragm, making it more difficult for the casualty to breathe effectively.