ArtsAutosBooksBusinessEducationEntertainmentFamilyFashionFoodGamesGenderHealthHolidaysHomeHubPagesPersonal FinancePetsPoliticsReligionSportsTechnologyTravel

How to Use an EpiPen (Video)

Updated on June 28, 2012

Everyone should know how to use an Epipen, whether you have allergies that warrant carrying one around with you, or not. Even if you don't know anyone else who carries one around with them, there may come a time when you encounter someone in a state of anaphylaxis -- if they are unable to administer their Epipen injection themselves, you could save their life by doing it for them. Using an EpiPen is very, very easy, and there just isn't an excuse for not knowing what to do if the need arises. If you're not sure what an Epipen pen is take a look at the following FAQs, and be sure to watch both instructional videos on How to Use an EpiPen.

What is an epipen?

Allergies are a way of life for many people, but few suffer to the point where anaphylaxis is possible. For those who have experienced anaphylactic shock, or those with the potential to do so, an Epipen is an auto-injector used to counter these reactions when and if they occur. The pen contains epinephrine (adrenaline), hence the name.

When should it be used?

Adrenaline is not something you want to inject into your body unless you know you're having an anaphylactic reaction to something. Believe me when I tell you that whether you have experienced anaphylaxis or not, you will know it's happening once a full-on reaction takes places. Some of these symptoms can include severe (and often fast-onset) swelling, severe itching, pain, and being unable to breathe. These can be reactions to bee stings allergies, peanut allergies, shellfish allergies and a host of others.

Note 1: They do expire, and you'll need to get a new one if that happens. I don't know what the maximum duration per batch is, but mine have always only been good for a year, so that may be the standard expiry date.

Note 2: You will need to hold the EpiPen in place for at least 10 seconds.

Video #1: How to Use an Epipen

How to Use an Epipen

Step 1: Remove the pen from its container: At this stage you cannot accidentally inject yourself, because the cap at the back prevents the needle from deploying. All the same, don't get crazy with it.

Step 2: Remove the cap at the back: At this stage, the needle CAN be deployed, so be extra careful now.

Step 3: Find the meaty part of the outer thigh; do not simply jab this any old place, it should be injected into the muscle. If you have time to drop your pants first, do so -- if not, it should work through jeans and lighter materials.

Step 4: Place the needle side of the epipen against the meaty part of the outer thigh. It should be flush with the skin. Once there, press the plunger in until it pops/clicks, and then HOLD IT IN PLACE FOR A FULL COUNT OF 10. Remove when finished.  

Step 5: Mind the needle once you're finished, as it will now be exposed.

Step 6: Call an ambulance in case you need further medical treatment.

Video #2: Tutorial with EpiPen Trainer and EpiPen

working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)