I must say that poor awareness is a worldwide phenomenon and not just a British Issue and people of the world today aren't obliging to help a person in need of emergency attendance. Such are human beings of today.
(Yahoo UK) - Almost nine out of 10 people would not feel comfortable helping a child who was suffering an asthma attack, a poll has suggested. Skip related content
Some 88% would not feel completely confident in knowing what to do, according to the survey of more than 2,200 people to mark World Asthma Day.
In March, an inquest into the death of Sam Linton ruled that neglect at Offerton High School in Stockport "significantly contributed" to his death.
Five members of staff were suspended after the 11-year-old was left in a corridor struggling to breathe following an asthma attack. The inquest heard that no member of staff called 999 and he later died.
Asthma causes deaths amounting to the equivalent of a large classroom full of children every year, and 1.1 million under-15s suffer from the condition in the UK. A survey among 1,600 teachers across England in February 2009 also found that three-quarters did not feel confident of knowing what to do.
Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, which released the polls, said: "The complacency that exists about asthma in the UK is shocking and dangerous and cannot continue.
"Every member of the public needs to know the signs of worsening asthma and what steps to take if someone suffers an asthma attack. Not acting quickly enough can result in needless deaths that shatter lives.
"The NHS also needs to take a zero tolerance approach to asthma deaths - parents who have lost children to asthma have told us they feel that a more proactive approach from health professionals might have made a crucial difference."
Asthmatics suffering an attack can often find that their reliever inhaler (usually a blue-coloured one) does not help symptoms. Breathlessness can get worse and be accompanied by coughing, wheezing and a tight chest. Some people become too breathless to speak, eat or sleep.
Asthma UK is urging people to request an Asthma Attack Card from the charity which includes life-saving information.
(Yahoo UK) - Almost nine out of 10 people would not feel comfortable helping a child who was suffering an asthma attack, a poll has suggested. Skip related content
Some 88% would not feel completely confident in knowing what to do, according to the survey of more than 2,200 people to mark World Asthma Day.
In March, an inquest into the death of Sam Linton ruled that neglect at Offerton High School in Stockport "significantly contributed" to his death.
Five members of staff were suspended after the 11-year-old was left in a corridor struggling to breathe following an asthma attack. The inquest heard that no member of staff called 999 and he later died.
Asthma causes deaths amounting to the equivalent of a large classroom full of children every year, and 1.1 million under-15s suffer from the condition in the UK. A survey among 1,600 teachers across England in February 2009 also found that three-quarters did not feel confident of knowing what to do.
Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, which released the polls, said: "The complacency that exists about asthma in the UK is shocking and dangerous and cannot continue.
"Every member of the public needs to know the signs of worsening asthma and what steps to take if someone suffers an asthma attack. Not acting quickly enough can result in needless deaths that shatter lives.
"The NHS also needs to take a zero tolerance approach to asthma deaths - parents who have lost children to asthma have told us they feel that a more proactive approach from health professionals might have made a crucial difference."
Asthmatics suffering an attack can often find that their reliever inhaler (usually a blue-coloured one) does not help symptoms. Breathlessness can get worse and be accompanied by coughing, wheezing and a tight chest. Some people become too breathless to speak, eat or sleep.
Asthma UK is urging people to request an Asthma Attack Card from the charity which includes life-saving information.
