Albany

Regional Education and Career Help Australia

Could you tell the difference between a severe asthma attack and anaphylaxis?



What would you do, if someone was having a SEVERE asthma attack and your help was not working?



First Aid training teaches us that if someone is having an asthma attack, we should sit them up tall, shoulders back so that they have maximum airway, and then help them use their Ventolin/asmol/puffer/inhaler via a spacer using the 4-4-4 method (probably the most confusing thing still in the First aid training!) and to continue that until one of three outcomes;

they get better and don't need help anymore - stop helping!
the ambulance arrives and takes over
the person collapses due to a lack of oxygen and requires CPR.
As an informed trainer this bothers me. There should be another step in between intervention and CPR.



Any ideas on what that intervention could be?



Would you choose to go to an epipen at this point?



The answer, is YES. If you could get an epipen into the person, they would absolutely need an ambulance from that point - no matter what - BUT you may have just saved their life.



Am I saying to use an EpiPen for Asthma? NO I AM NOT!



I am saying, not all asthma attacks are asthma and sometimes Anaphylaxis comes on LOOKING like asthma.



My training includes an educational session on Anaphylaxis every time, I think this is an area we could all make a difference in.



Book a First Aid or CPR refresher for you or your staff and leave with the confidence to save a life.

I am visiting Albany between 4-6 September and look forward to spreading Anaphylaxis awareness and affordable First Aid Certification