← Back
Scenario — Croup in a child at a school carnival
Patient Information
Dispatch
You are called to the FAP at Riverside Primary School Carnival for an 8-year-old boy (Lachlan Doyle) brought in by a teacher. The child has a noisy, barking cough and is having trouble breathing.
Incident History
Lachlan presented to the FAP with a harsh barking cough that started approximately 20 minutes ago. His teacher states he has had a runny nose and mild temperature for the past two days. He has been at the carnival all morning and became distressed when his cough worsened.
Emergency Contact
Michelle Doyle (Mother) 0412 773 095
Initial Rapid Assessment
Response
Alert
Airway
Upper airway partially obstructed. Audible stridor at rest. No drooling. No foreign body visible.
Breathing
Increased work of breathing. Audible stridor. Mild intercostal recession. RR elevated. Child is sitting upright in position of comfort — do not force position change.
Circulation
Radial pulse present, regular, slightly elevated. Skin warm and pink. CRT <2s.
Disability
GCS 15 (E4V5M6). Alert and oriented. Mildly anxious. No altered conscious state.
Exposure
No rashes, no urticaria. No visible injuries. Child flushed in face. Mild nasal flaring noted.
Vitals
Time SpO2 Resp Dist RR Pulse BP CRT GCS PERL Temp BGL Pain
Initial 94% (RA) Moderate 28 118 100/65 <2s 15 4 4 ++ 37.9 – 2
10 mins 98% (O2 simple mask 6L/min) Mild 22 104 100/65 <2s 15 4 4 ++ 37.9 – 1
History Taking
Signs/Symptoms
Harsh barking cough, audible stridor at rest, mild sternal recession, nasal flaring, increased work of breathing.
Onset
Barking cough started approximately 20 minutes ago at the carnival. Runny nose and low-grade temperature for 2 days prior.
Pain
Mild throat discomfort — 2/10.
Quality
Cough described as loud and barking, like a seal. Stridor audible on inspiration at rest.
Radiates
Nil.
Severity
2/10 throat discomfort. Moderate respiratory distress.
Allergies
NKDA.
Medications
Nil regular medications.
Pertinent History
No previous episodes of croup. No known asthma. No history of foreign body ingestion. Mother confirms Lachlan had a viral upper respiratory tract infection for the past 2 days.
Last Oral Intake
Sausage sizzle and water approximately 1.5 hours ago.
Treatment
Nil. Teacher brought him straight to the FAP.
Events Leading
Lachlan was participating in carnival activities when his cough became noticeably worse and he became distressed and unable to speak in full sentences comfortably.
Scenario Progression and Treatment Objectives

((If the trainee attempts to force Lachlan into a supine position — facilitator states: Lachlan becomes highly distressed, begins crying, stridor worsens markedly, and SpO2 drops to 90%. Allow the child to remain in his position of comfort.))

((If oxygen is not applied within 3 minutes of assessment — facilitator states: SpO2 drops to 91% on room air and Lachlan becomes more visibly distressed with increased sternal recession. Prompt: 'What does Lachlan's SpO2 tell you and what can you do?'))

((If the trainee does not call for ambulance/higher-level care — facilitator states: After 8 minutes, Lachlan's stridor becomes louder and more continuous. His mother arrives and asks 'Is he going to be okay? Does he need to go to hospital?' Prompt trainee to consider transport decision and pre-notification.))

((If the trainee attempts to administer salbutamol — facilitator states: There is no wheeze present and this is not a diagnosis of asthma or anaphylaxis. Croup does not respond to bronchodilators. Redirect trainee to the Croup CPG.))

This patient is suffering from moderate croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis) presenting with audible stridor at rest, barking cough, mild sternal recession, and mildly reduced SpO2 on room air.

  • Ensure scene safety and don appropriate PPE including gloves.
  • Perform Primary Survey — identify moderate croup with airway compromise (stridor at rest, barking cough, intercostal recession).
  • Allow Lachlan to remain in his position of comfort (seated upright) — do NOT force position change.
  • Administer oxygen via simple face mask at 5–8 L/min — titrate SpO2 to target ≥95% in paediatrics.
  • Perform Vital Signs Survey — GCS, RR, SpO2, HR, BP, temperature, pain score.
  • Obtain SAMPLE history from child and teacher — confirm no foreign body, no previous croup, no allergy.
  • Contact emergency contact (mother Michelle Doyle — 0412 773 095) and advise of situation.
  • Reassess every 5–10 minutes — document vital signs and monitor closely for rapid deterioration.
  • Escalate to higher care (request ambulance) — Lachlan has moderate croup with stridor at rest requiring Intermediate/Advanced Care for steroid administration (Prednisolone — outside EHS scope).
  • Pre-notify receiving facility of 8-year-old male with moderate croup, stridor at rest, SpO2 94% on room air, improving with oxygen.
  • Continuously reassure Lachlan and his teacher — keep environment calm and quiet to minimise distress.
  • Do NOT administer salbutamol — croup is not bronchospasm; salbutamol has no role in croup management.
  • Scenario ends on arrival of ambulance and IMISTAMBO handover.
  • Attention to hand hygiene will be given throughout the scenario.

Clinical references: Croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis) · Dyspnoea & Respiratory Distress · Oxygen Delivery · Primary Survey · Pulse Oximetry