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Factsheet - Asthma - Using a Spacer With a Mask


Using A Spacer With A Mask

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

A spacer device is a plastic holding chamber that helps people with asthma to use their puffers (aerosol inhalers) effectively. Adding a mask to a small volume spacer ensures infants and small children receive the measured dose of medication. Spacers should be used by children of all ages who require a puffer.

Recommended age of use: 0 to 4 years

1. Remove cap and shake the puffer.
2. Fit the puffer into the end of the spacer.
3. Gently place the attached facemask over the mouth and nose of the child. Ensure there are no gaps around the edges of the mask.

4. Release one puff of medication into the spacer by pressing down on the top of the puffer. Watch the child breathe in and out 4-6 times (or count slowly to 10) before removing the mask.

If more than one puff is required repeat step 4

Document adapted from The Asthma Management Improvement Council for the South West of NSW.
Illustrations courtesy of Medical Illustrations, Prince Of Wales Hospital. Randwick. NSW.

Source: The Children's Asthma Resource Pack for Parents and Carers, June 2006
NSW Paediatric Network
Kids Health (CHW) Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Tel: (02) 9845 3585
Fax: (02) 9845 3562
www.chw.edu.au		 Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick
Tel: (02) 9382 1688
Fax: (02) 9382 1451
www.sch.edu.au		 Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network
Tel: (02) 4921 3670
Fax: (02) 4921 3599
www.kaleidoscope.org.au

© The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick
& Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network - 2005-2009.

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