How to use a handheld fan to relieve breathlessness

When a patient feels breathless after any physical activity, anxiety or stress they should:

• Find a comfortable place to stop and rest. This could be standing and leaning forward on a chair, kitchen worktop or even a shopping trolley (Example 1); sitting in a chair leaning forward on the elbows (Example 2); or sitting and resting forward on a tabletop (Example 3).

• Turn the handheld fan on and position it six inches or 15 cm (about the distance from the outstretched tip of the forefinger to the top of the thumb) from the face.
• Ensure that the air from the fan blows towards the central part of the face. The cool draught should be felt around the sides of the nose and across your top lip.
• The position should be held, and the fan used until you regain control of your breathing. This could be a few minutes through to 10 minutes. The time varies depending on the patient.

It is important to check with a GP, respiratory consultant, respiratory nurse, respiratory physiotherapist or other qualified medical professional before a patient uses the fan therapy technique.

It may benefit the patient to use the fan while employing other methods of breathing management such as breathing techniques, relaxation and mindfulness. The fan therapy technique can also be used at the same time as oxygen.

Further Support

Respiratory support group - Our support group meetings provide the opportunity for patients to have an informal chat and a cup of tea, safe in the knowledge that the nurses and physiotherapist will be able to answer any questions or queries that you may have.

Singing for breathing - Patients, who have trouble with their breathing, are invited to attend free singing workshops at the George Eliot Hospital.

George Eliot Hospital is a smoke free environment. For help and advice to stop smoking you can call the national helpline on 0300 123 1044 or visit https://fitterfutures.everyonehealth.co.uk/stop-smoking-service/

Copyright

Except where otherwise noted, this item is licensed under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

If you are a rights holder and are concerned that you have found material on our patient information resources website, for which you have not given permission, or is not covered by a limitation or exception in national law, please contact us using the Feedback form providing your contact information and full details of the material.