charity is working to make Bermuda aware of the best methods of prevention and control. Run out of the Nurses' Practice in Smith's Parish, Open Airways is the only registered charity in Bermuda for asthma and other like diseases with a qualified asthma educator. And as such, president Liz Boden says she is duty-bound to educate the public. "Asthma is incurable, but 100 percent treatable and prevention is always better than cure,'' she explained. "In Bermuda, one in ten adults and one in seven children suffer from asthma. Also in Bermuda, a lack of knowledge about preventing and controlling asthma results in unnecessary lost working days, and distressing, costly visits to the hospital emergency department. Our aim is to change the lives of asthmatics through education and prevention.'' According to the Emergency Room at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, in 1991, the total number of visits to the area which listed asthma as the primary diagnosis were 995 and of those, 235 were admitted for care; in 1992, 1466 asthmatics visited the room with 253 admitted; in 1993, there were 1827 visits with 301 admitted; 1994 saw 1359 asthmatics with 275 admitted for care; in 1995, 1582 visited the room with 267 admitted, while last year saw 1285 with 185 admitted for care. Although 1996 saw a significant drop in the number of asthmatics requiring a trip to the emergency room, any visits at all signify a failure in treatment as the measures of prevention and control in place are sufficient to keep patients out. It is because of this that Open Airways has held workshops with doctors, nurses and pharmacists, made presentations throughout the school system and offers such services to the general public. "Asthma is a frightening condition but with a well educated team, which includes child, parent, teachers, school nurse, asthma nurse educator and doctor, asthma can be managed effectively,'' said Mrs. Boden. "There are two kinds of prevention -- avoiding the allergen or irritants which trigger your symptoms, and taking a preventive inhaler every day even when well; increasing your dose when you have a cold, or your peak flow is falling, as directed by your doctor. The aim is for all asthmatic children to lead normal, unrestricted lives and, with modern treatments, this is entirely possible.'' With 27 years nursing experience in Bermuda behind her, Mrs. Boden also boasts a diploma in asthma education from the National Training Centre in Britain which is accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners. Her efforts are aided by Catriona Godfrey, the charity's vice president and treasurer. Mrs. Godfrey experienced asthmatic problems first hand through one of her own children, becoming knowledgeable of the disease and how to alleviate its problems with proper Teachers have a vital role secretary, Helen Chalk who obtained a wealth of knowledge working as a clinical research associate in asthma for Fisons and Astra, a pharmaceutical company. According to Mrs. Boden, something as simple as the beginning of the school year after the end of summer holidays marks the beginning a nightmare for one out of seven schoolchildren. "Schools have been shut up for the summer and are full of mildew and mould, dust and dust mites,'' she explained.

"Books and equipment haven't been used and they too have been gathering dust.

All potential allergens are enemies for the asthmatic. By the second week of term, the cold viruses seem to return and many children have their first infection and a return of their asthma after a symptom-free summer. Many children return to their prevention inhaler for the winter season at this time.'' As such, Mrs. Boden recommends, in preparation for the new school year, that parents: Talk to children and remind them that they must never be afraid to tell someone if they have asthma Talk to the teacher on the first day, especially if the asthmatic is at the pre-school or primary school age Write down all information about your child's asthma remembering that on occasion, the teacher may be sick and it will be a substitute teacher that might have to cope with your child while he is experiencing difficulties All asthmatic children should have a spare reliever inhaler at school with their name on it. Parents of pre-school and primary children should give this to the teacher on the first day of term and it should be sent home at the end of each term When weather changes and sweaters and blazers come out of the closet, they should be washed to removed mould and mildew not drycleaned as the chemicals can actually trigger an asthma episode.

Teachers should also know about the disease and what to do in case of emergency, the educator said. In addition to being able to recognise the symptoms of asthma -- coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, they should also know what medication/inhaler each child uses and how often.

As responsible caretakers, teachers should: Understand what to do in an emergency Make sure that inhalers are not being misused, with children using Ventolin on a daily basis, sent to the doctor for more effective preventive treatment Keep all animals out of the classroom as they could place the asthmatic child in a potentially life threatening situation Immediately exempt children from any experiments involving chemicals or animal dissection if asthmatic symptoms arise Inform parents if they suspect a child has exercise-induced asthma, a condition which can be easily treated if a bronchodilator such as Ventolin, is used before exercise Watch all asthmatic children for symptoms on school trips to places such as the Aquarium or the Botanical Gardens Observe asthmatics for signs of hyperactivity or extreme tiredness as these could be due to an improper dose of Ventolin.

Those interested in learning more about Open Airways may contact Mrs. Boden at 236-0264.

Cody Marshall practices using an aerochamber