A very relevant question to a lot of First Aiders who aren’t feeling as confident with their skills.
Recently, I heard of a customer coming into a business with a child who had been coughing with a “whistle” sound. The reception staff believed the customer’s child might have been suffering from an Asthma attack and suggested this to the child’s parent, who replied by saying that their child wasn’t an asthmatic. The staff then referred this customer to a nearby GP clinic, which subsequently sent the young family to the Emergency Department.
There are a few takeaway points from this scenario that are important for First Aiders to keep in mind:
- Young children may be experiencing their first symptoms of a medical condition without a previous diagnosis, this is not only specific to young children (ABC, 2021)
- Irrespective of someone’s history, if the signs and symptoms suggest an Asthma attack, it is within a First Aider’s scope of practice to provide Ventolin to relieve the symptoms (ANZCOR, 2016)
- Always refer on if you’re unsure – this person provided an early referral, which potentially saved this child from their condition worsening.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Asthma?
- Common triggers of asthma are pollens, allergies, exercise, cold & flu and smoke.
- Asthma attacks may present as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing (the patient may be speaking in short sentences or phrases; in severe asthma, they may be unable to talk), and chest tightness.
- Wheezes can often sound like whistles, see the video below to listen to what a wheeze may sound like.
How Much Ventolin Should I Give?
- Up-to-date, first aiders would have learned the 4 x 4 x 4 method. If you aren’t familiar with this, we recommend refreshing your HLTAID011 Provide First Aid code.
- Position the patient in an upright position; this will be the most comfortable position for them to breathe in because it allows for the most chest expansion during breathing.
- Source a Ventolin (Salbutamol) inhaler and a spacer (if available, this is best to use).
- Deliver 1 x puff of Ventolin through the spacer and direct the patient to take 4 breaths through the other end of the spacer, then repeat this cycle 4 times. Wait 4 minutes and monitor the patient.
- If the patient has not improved, call for Emergency Services and continue repeating the 4 x 4 x 4 cycle until the paramedics arrive or unless directed otherwise by the dispatch team.
Demonstration of Asthma First Aid
What Can I Do About Asthma?
- Visit Home – Asthma Australia | The nation’s peak consumer body for up to date training and guidelines, free resources and information
- Get to a first aid course so that you’re well prepared to deal with someone having asthma
- Keep a Ventolin Inhaler in your First Aid kit
- Ensure that if you or your family member have poorly controlled asthma, that you seek medical advice and become well versed in an Asthma Management Plan
Bibliography
- Thunderstorm asthma warning for Melbourne and surrounds as more storms to lash the city. (2022). Retrieved 21 August 2022, from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-02/melbourne-weather-storms-thunderstorm-asthma-warning/100669430?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web
- (2016). Retrieved 21 August 2022, from https://resus.org.au/download/9_2_medical/anzcor-guideline-9-2-5-asthma-nov-2016.pdf
- (2022). Retrieved 21 August 2022, from https://asthma.org.au/
