About ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for first aid (community)

ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training has been developed by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) to provide ready access to reliable anaphylaxis education to the community throughout Australia and New Zealand, at no charge.

Development of ASCIA’s anaphylaxis e-training has included an extensive review process with ASCIA members and patient support organisations throughout Australasia.

ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for first aid (community) has been designed to be undertaken by the broader community such as parents, friends, carers or patients themselves; sporting clubs, playgroups and workplaces.

It is highly recommended that this course is completed in conjunction with practice using adrenaline injector trainer devices. To order adrenaline injector trainer devices contact your national patient support organisation:

• Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia www.allergyfacts.org.au
• Allergy New Zealand www.allergy.org.nz

With regard to the adult witness (person over the age of 18 years), no special qualifications are required. The adult who signs the certificate to confirm practice with a trainer device should refer to instructions on the ASCIA Action Plans or the instructional videos on the ASCIA website: www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/anaphylaxis-resources

Course Updates

January 2024

ASCIA anaphylaxis first aid (community) has been updated in January 2024:

• Current ASCIA Action and First Aid Plans.
• Infographics and animations to make the training more visual and interactive.

January 2023

ASCIA anaphylaxis first aid (community) has been updated in January 2023 to have the following:

• Current ASCIA Action and First Aid Plans.
• Infographics and animations to make the training more visual and interactive.
• Instructions for two brands of adrenaline (epinephrine) injectors, EpiPen® and Anapen® (available on the PBS September 2021).
• Completion of anonymous Feedback required to gain a Certificate of Completion that confirms successful course completion, which requires participants to obtain 100% for the Final Assessment.

September 2022

• As of September 2022, the time for Anapen® adrenaline (epinephrine) injectors to be held in place has now been approved for 3 seconds (reduced from 10 seconds) by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

September 2021

ASCIA anaphylaxis first aid (community) has been updated in September 2021 to include the following: 

• Updated and new ASCIA Action and First Aid Plans.
• New infographics and animations to make the training more visual and interactive.
• Instructions for two brands of adrenaline (epinephrine) injectors, EpiPen® and Anapen® (available on the PBS September 2021).
• A certificate that confirms successful course completion, which requires participants to obtain 100% for the Final Assessment or Quiz.

ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for first aid (community) has been updated in July 2018 (Version 3.2) to include new generic versions of ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis.  These plans have been developed for use with any brand of adrenaline (epinephrine) injector available in Australia and New Zealand.  

Previous update June 2017 (Version 3.1) to incorporate updated ASCIA Action Plans and changes to EpiPen® and EpiPen®Jr adrenaline (epinephrine) injectors. The devices have not changed, just the instructions on the label, which now include:

• Reduced injection time from 10 to 3 seconds – this is based on research confirming efficacy and delivery of adrenaline through the 3 second delivery.
• Removal of the massage step after the injection – this has been found to reduce the risk of tissue irritation.

EpiPen®s with a 10 second label can continue to be used and should not be replaced unless they have been used, are just about to expire or have expired. 

All EpiPen®s should now be held in place for 3 seconds, regardless of the instructions on the label.  However, if they are held for 10 seconds it will not affect the way that the adrenaline works. 

For those members in the community requiring a certificate of completion for an anaphylaxis training course, successful completion of the final module allows you to print a certificate containing your name, the date and your pass mark. The course modules can be accessed in any order, however when completing the entire course, it is recommended that the modules are completed in the order presented.

Course instructions

• You can undertake this course at your own pace but it is recommended that you complete the modules within a two week period.
• The program remembers your last Module access so that when you re-enter the course you should be taken to where you left off previously. 
• To obtain a Certificate of Completion for ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training a result of 100% is required in Final Assessment. If this result is not obtained on the first attempt, users can re-attempt the assessments after reviewing the course content.
• When the Certificate of Completion appears you may print or save to a file as a PDF for your own record.