1 in 9 Australians affected by Asthma

1 in 5 Australians affected by Allergies

Aquatic & Recreation facilities welcome thousands of visitors each year. These visitors range from infants just months old, older adults and everywhere in between. With such a broad demographic of visitors, Facility Leadership teams and organisations are responsible for regularly reviewing and providing the appropriate first aid equipment.

Safe Work Australia - First aid in the workplace, code of practices states “workplaces may consider including an asthma-relieving inhaler and a spacer to treat asthma attacks and epinephrine auto-injector for the treatment of anaphylaxis or severe allergies.”

The word “may” indicates an optional course of action. However facilities are required to complete a risk assessment to determine what equipment is required.

Quack Aquatics have reviewed the associated risks in aquatic, leisure, recreation and sporting facilities. Considering the broad demographic and range of activities, facilities should have an Asthma and Anaphylaxis response kit available and ready for use.

Asthma is a condition in which a person's airways become inflamed, narrow and swell and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe.
Common symptoms include
- Breathlessness
- Wheezing
- Tight feeling in the chest
- Continuing cough
Asthma symptoms can usually be managed by using an asthma-relieving inhaler.
Swimming Pools and sporting facilities often see people present with asthma symptoms due to the environments and activity levels.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction. An anaphylactic reaction can occur within second of exposure.
Common Symptoms include
- Skin rash and Hives
- Swelling of the airways, tongue and eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms can be controlled by the use of an epinephrine auto-injector, however additional emergency care is required.
Any facilities serving food and drinks, using medical products on skin, using and storing chemicals can increase the risk of an anaphylactic reaction.
A response kit provides everything needed in the event of a specific first aid emergency.
Quack Aquatics response kits includes all the materials necessary to best manage the first aid emergency from start to finish. Response kits should be mobile and stored in a location that is easily accessible.
Response kits can be stored along with first aid kits, or in its own location. Quack Aquatics works with on-site teams to determine what equipment and location is best for their facility.
View our range of response kits here.
Anyone with a Provide First Aid certificate with Anaphylaxis and Asthma training can use a Response Kit.
The kits are fitted with flow charts and informational material to allow anyone to easily provide essential first aid.
Quack Aquatics Provides Training Response Kits as well as training materials to ensure all its customers are well trained to utilise their equipment.