Would
you know how to save a life if you needed to respond to
someone having a serious allergic reaction
(anaphylaxis)?
Allergy New Zealand is calling on Kiwis
to learn how to use an EpiPen® this Allergy Awareness Week
(11-17 May). Allergy NZ Chief Executive Mark Dixon said;
“We want all Kiwis to feel confident to act in an allergy
emergency, just as we would with basic CPR and accessing a
defibrillator”.
To help, Allergy New Zealand has
launched a poster outlining the steps a person needs to take
to administer an EpiPen® – and potentially save a life. The
poster can be viewed HERE.
Since
Pharmac began fully funding EpiPens for people at risk of
anaphylaxis in February 2023, more and more people in our
communities are now able to carry them.
“With no
cost barrier, New Zealanders of all ages and stages of life
can now have a pen with them if they need it,” Mark said.
“Pharmac has recently renewed its funding commitment – a
decision we applaud.”
“This Allergy Awareness
Week, our focus is on educating people on how to use an
EpiPen®. By following the actions in our poster, anyone
should be able to step in and help someone if they are
having a serious allergic reaction and are not able to help
themselves. We encourage people to share the poster widely
with family, friends, and community networks.”
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An
EpiPen® is a medical device that contains a single,
pre-measured dose of adrenaline that will alleviate symptoms
for a person experiencing anaphylaxis (the most severe form
of allergic reaction) until emergency services arrive. It is
designed for quick and easy use by the person themselves, or
if they are too unwell, family members, friends, teachers,
colleagues, or members of the public.
The steps in the
poster outlining how to use an EpiPen® to save a life,
include:
- How to identify if someone is
experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis - How and where
to administer the EpiPen® - Actions to take – If
possible, lie the person/child flat; administer the
EpiPen®; call 111; say the word ‘anaphylaxis’ to the
call taker; and follow their instructions until emergency
services arrive.
“An EpiPen® is easily
identifiable through its distinctive blue and orange colours
at each end,” Mark said. “A really easy way to remember
how to administer an EpiPen® is: ‘Blue to the sky, orange
to the thigh’. If you remove the blue safety cap, put the
orange end to the outer mid-thigh and push firmly against
the leg for three seconds, the EpiPen® will be triggered
and can deliver the dose of adrenaline without you seeing or
needing to handle needles.”
“We hope we can
encourage people to step in and act without fear if they
know, or come across, someone who needs this urgent,
lifesaving treatment. Knowing how to act, could literally
make you a lifesaver. And it’s not hard.”
Allergy
Awareness Week is also an important time for local groups
and clubs to check how accessible EpiPens are in their
communities. For instance, does your school, fire station,
camping ground, Department of Conservation (DoC) hut have an
EpiPen®, and are key people trained to use
it?
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