What would you do?

What would YOU do?

Commenting on a number of stories on the internet over the past couple of days about how few people know what to do if someone near them has an asthma attack, the Asthma Foundation is stressing that a few simple steps can save a life.

“Yesterday was World Asthma Day. Many New Zealanders will have read stories coming out of Britain, for example, which indicate that the vast majority of people don’t know what to do if someone has an asthma attack,” says the Chief Executive of the Asthma Foundation, Jane Patterson.

The UK’s Press Association ran a story with the headline “Fears over lack of asthma awareness,” citing a poll finding that nearly nine out of 10 people wouldn’t feel comfortable helping a child who was having an asthma attack. Asthma UK (Wales) in another story calls the asthma knowledge gap in Wales dangerous.

“Well, fortunately helping someone is straightforward and we recommend that you learn what to do in the event of an attack, especially if somebody you know has asthma, “Jane says.

“I don’t want to scaremonger, but asthma can and does kill. In 2006, for example, the last year for which we have such statistics, 132 New Zealanders died from asthma.

The Asthma Foundation’s education services manager, Robyn Ingleton, says (this information can be found at www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/asthmaemergency):

“Be calm and reassuring. Sit the person down and get them to lean forward slightly. Ensure that their arms are supported by their knees, a table or the arms of a chair.

“Give 6 puffs of a blue reliever inhaler (puffer), that’s Ventolin, Salamol, Respigen or Bricanyl. Use the person’s own inhaler if possible. But if not, use an inhaler from a First Aid kit, or borrow one from someone else. Remember: just 1 puff at a time.

“The best way of giving a reliever is through a spacer – a device that delivers the medicine to the airways of the lungs instead of the mouth, making it more effective [Bricanyl cannot be used with a spacer]. If no spacer is available, you can use a polystyrene cup: punch a hole in the bottom and insert the inhaler through the hole. Place the top end of the cup over the person’s mouth and nose and activate the inhaler.

“If there is no improvement, give another 6 puffs [1 puff at a time]. This can be repeated up to 6 times [a total of 36 breaths].

“If still little or no improvement, it is vital that you call an AMBULANCE on 111 immediately. Just state simply and clearly that the person is having an acute asthma episode. Keep giving 6 puffs every six minutes until the ambulance arrives.”

ENDS

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