Asthma

With the air getting a bit of a chill in it (again), the odd bit of flu going around, and with Spring allergens this is when I’m likely to feel a bit wheezy and go looking for last year’s blue puffer. An asthma attack is a potentially life-threatening situation, where a persons’ airways become blocked from the inside out. Most people who suffer asthma attacks are aware of their asthma and should have an action plan and medication. They may wear a medical alert device. In an emergency, or if a patient does not have their own reliever (a blue ‘puffer’), you may use another person’s reliever or one from a first aid kit.
If someone is having difficulty breathing or not breathing properly, this is considered an emergency requiring medical assistance, we all need to breath to live.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS of an ASTHMA EMERGENCY

• Symptoms get worse very quickly
• Little or no relief from inhaler
• Severe shortness of breath
• Unable to speak normally
• Pale, sweating, looks petrified
• Progressive change in mental state
• Blue lips, face, earlobes, fingernails
• Loss of consciousness

WHAT TO DO
1 Follow DRSABCD. Call 000, advise that you have an Asthma emergency.
2 Help the patient to sit down in a comfortable position.
3 Reassure and stay with the patient, and stay calm, this is especially important.
4 If requested, help the patient to administer their reliever.

Shake the inhaler and give 1 puff, allow 4 breaths through a spacer, repeat until the patient has had 4 puffs of their reliever. Wait four minutes, then repeat and give 4 more puffs. Use a spacer if available. If the patient is having difficulty breathing, after the first four puffs, call triple zero (000), give the triage nurse as much information as possible. Keep repeating 4 puffs every 4 minutes until medical help arrives. Asthma can, and does, kill people quickly; get help if you think you need it.

For the full copy of the fact sheet, visit link

https://stjohnnsw.com.au/guides-asthma-emergency

Our next skill drill will be held 9 September, 18:00, at the St John Shed on Grassy Road.

If you are interested in becoming a St John volunteer or, for more information, please email norfolk.island@stjohnnsw.com.au or james.garden@stjohnnsw.com.au