Sit the person upright— Be calm and reassuring— Do not leave them alone

Give 4 puffs of blue reliever puffer medication— Use a spacer if there is one— Shake puffer— Put 1 puff into spacer— Take 4 breaths from spacerRepeat until 4 puffs have been taken

Remember: Shake, 1 puff, 4 breaths

Wait 4 minutes— If there is no improvement, give

4 more puffs as above

If there is still no improvement call emergency assistance (DIAL OOO)*— Say ‘ambulance’ and that someone is

having an asthma attack— Keep giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes

until emergency assistance arrives*If calling Triple Zero (000) does not work on your mobile phone, try 112

Call emergency assistance immediately (DIAL 000)— If the person is not breathing— If the person’s asthma suddenly becomes worse, or is

not improving — If the person is having an asthma attack and a puffer

is not available— If you are not sure if it’s asthmaBlue reliever medication is unlikely to harm, even if the person does not have asthma

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3

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To find out more contact your local Asthma Foundation 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) asthmaaustralia.org.au Translating and

Interpreting Service 131 450© Asthma Australia 2013 Supported by the Australian Government

DL AA First Aid Poster.indd 1 3/02/13 5:02 PM

This brochure has been developed for education staff by Asthma Australia.

Ask your local Asthma Foundation about further information including:

— Asthma Basic Facts — Asthma Medications — Asthma at School for School Staff — Asthma & Under 5s

Asthma Australia can provide information for your newsletters and information packs for parents and carers

Self-management information for adolescents is also available

To find out more about asthma contact your local Asthma Foundation:

1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) asthmaaustralia.org.au

Translating and Interpreting Service: 131 450Ask them to telephone your local Asthma Foundation on 1800 278 462 (office hours)

AsthmaTraining

for school & preschool staff

All Asthma Australia information is endorsed by our Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee and is consistent with the National Asthma Council Australia clinical guidelines.

Asthma Australia information does not replace professional medical advice. People should ask their doctor any questions about diagnosis and treatment.

©Asthma Australia 2013 This can be copied for education purposes

This resource is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Asthma Management Program.

“I’ve learnt more at this one hour asthma training session than I have in 24 years of raising children with asthma.”

— School staff member

Do you know what to do in an asthma emergency?

Asthma Australia provides FREE TRAINING for staff throughout Australia.

Did you know1 ...

— One in nine children have current asthma (over 350,000 school students)— On average one Australian dies each day from asthma — Asthma is the most common reason for hospitalisation of children— Children’s asthma is a significant contributor to their absenteeism— 50% - 65% of students with asthma will experience symptoms with exercise

If a student had an asthma attack, could you ...

— Recognise the signs and symptoms of asthma?— Use the correct asthma first aid procedure?— Confidently manage an asthma attack? Asthma is serious

Knowing what to do when time is critical can save a life.

1 aihw.gov.au

FREE Asthma Training for school and preschool staff

This training covers asthma management and medications, assessing an asthma attack and Asthma First Aid

To organise a training session or to find out more about online training, contact the school and preschool coordinator at your local Asthma Foundation:

asthmaaustralia.org.auFreecall 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462)

“The session allowed us to feel confident in caring for our students with asthma, knowing the correct response. It was a bonus that it was a free service!”— Staff member after asthma training

“The provision of national asthma first aid training for staff – and information for parents – makes a significant contribution to student safety and wellbeing. The depth of support from the Asthma Foundations and their appreciation of the scope and limits of staff responsibilities in this area make this a simple and effective initiative to assist principals to effectively risk manage student health needs”

— Rob Nairn, Chairperson Principals Australia Board

“We welcome the inclusion of preschools in the Australian government funded delivery of asthma first aid for staff. This will help children and families as well as staff to keep children with asthma safe and fully engaged in learning programs”

— Pam Cahir, CEO Early Childhood Australia

Asthma management in schools and preschools

Asthma Friendly Checklist

For your school/preschool

Staff have current Asthma First Aid training

Asthma Emergency Kits are available and include reliever medication and spacer

Asthma First Aid posters are on display

An asthma policy is in place and covers — All on and off-site activity — Student well-being — Occupational Health & Safety requirements — Provision of asthma plans by parents/carers

For you as a staff member

My asthma training is up to date

I can readily access our Asthma Emergency Kits

I know where to find Asthma First Aid information

I know and use our asthma policy

I know the students with asthma and how to access their asthma plans

Students can quickly and safely access their medications