5 Reasons you NEED to do anaphylaxis PD

Do you really know what anaphylaxis is? Do you know what anaphylactic symptoms look like? Would you be able to tell the difference between anaphylactic symptoms and other allergies, say severe asthma?

I didn’t use to.

As an educator it was important for me to –

1. Recognise the triggers
2. Know the difference between a mild and severe reaction
3. Understand how to deliver adrenalin through an auto injector
4. Manage of a severe allergic reaction
5. Keep up to date with changes in legislation and maintain good professional practice

I am sure I had taught students who had allergies, and I am sure I had taught students on a casual basis who were anaphylactic or may have even carried epi pens with them. But other than being able to locate the epi pen, or get a message to someone that knew what to do, I wouldn’t be able to do much more. I would probably have been reliant on the other kids!

EpiPens (or auto-injectors) were introduced into all of our playground duty first aid kits, and every recess and lunch time yard duty teachers would carry the bag around almost with comfort, knowing that if they were first on a scene they would be well equipped to handle a crisis. It was usually band aids and tissues that were given out like lollies, but not even the peace of mind that there was an epi pen in the pack ‘just in case’, was enough for me. It probably made me more nervous knowing that I was the one with the responsibility to act should it be required.

I enrolled in an anaphylaxis PD. I needed to understand the symptoms, know how to use and administer the adrenalin, realise the dangers and try to relieve my fears.

The session taught me about the different reactions someone can have, swelling, wheezing, loss of consciousness. It taught me how to recognise the difference between a mild and a severe reaction, how to take an EpiPen out from its wrapper and how to administer it.

Due to changes in legislation, education workplaces now have a preference for casual staff to be equipped with appropriate anaphylaxis training and accreditation. I could not recommend doing the course highly enough. If not for the knowledge, do it for your own confidence in a possible crisis situation.

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