Briefly, I am a severe asthmatic on Fostair, Ventolin, Spiriva, Azithromycin, Montelukast, 5mg Pred, daily and Fasenra. Our first evening out since before COVID, my husband and I went to see the Marine Bands which was really very, very good and enjoyable, however, there was some sort of smoke/fog/haze machine being used which I found exacerbated my asthma during the performance and has continued to do so for the last few days, although thankfully it is improving. Does anyone know anything about the health and safety regs around the use of these machines or the advisability of their use where people suffering from lung conditions may be present, also has anyone been affected by these special effects? I did try to look this up and apart from adequate ventilation and things like the composition of the smoke, there did not seem to be any guidelines or advice with regard to using these machines in the presence of people with respiratory issues or any recommendation that the audience should be warned about their use prior to attending a venue. I wouldn't have thought it would be healthy for anyone to inhale this vapour, my husband who is not asthmatic had watering eyes throughout the concert and I would be extremely surprised if we were the only ones affected. Has anyone else had any similar experiences? I am planning on writing to the venue with regard to this issue but thought I'd cast around for other people's comments and/or experiences first.
Thanks for listening and stay well everyone.
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Whizzymaz
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It might be worth suggesting that in future, they specify on the event information whether a smoke machine will be used, so that people can decide whether or not they wish to attend. At larger venues, there might also be the option to reserve seats at the back for people who are sensitive to these things.
I'm not sure that an outright ban is practical. Just about anything can be a trigger for someone, so where does it end?
Hi, they get me too- it’s very rare that we get out too.
I wear a Cambridge face mask when I’m amongst other people indoors. I find these fit well to the face and really help to filter out anything perfumed/dust/dander /smoke etc.
I know nothing about regulations but I have seen warnings at the theatre about the use of smoke. Not sure what we’re supposed to do about it once we’re in our seats though!
I wish there was more consideration for those of us with sensitive airways.
Hi I don't wish to jump on someone else's post but I saw your mention of the Cambridge mask. I've just purchased a couple as I'm classed as high risk, they've not arrived yet but I'm glad to see that someone else has got one and thinks highly of them
Agree! Should have warnings. I am triggered by any type of aerosol and my asthma is very mild. And fireworks, after the 5th of November the data from the MET shows high levels of air pollution for days, it also triggers me and cannot me good for anyone
Taken from HSE guide on smoke & vapour machines used in entertainment;
"As productions have no control over the composition of their audiences special care needs to be taken to minimise risks to the audience. Exposure to the effects should ideally be avoided altogether. The person in charge of the production should know if smoke is likely to reach the audience. If this is the case the following precautions should be considered:
• Limit the amount of smoke/vapour to the minimum necessary for the desired effect
• Direct and control smoke effects to the desired place to prevent overspill into audience areas
• Printed warnings on or with the tickets
• Warning notices on the premises (reinforced by verbal warnings before the performance if this is considered necessary) All warnings should indicate the type of persons who may be particularly at risk."
These effects are covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994.
I love live theatre and I don't think I've ever seen a warning regarding vapour or smoke. When I've seen it used, it rarely travels beyond the orchestra pit and can't recall being affected. I've seen and heard plenty of warnings re strobe lighting though. If you've been affected then you can alert the theatre production and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), highlighting the importance of alerting audiences to special effects & control measures expected per COSHH 1994.
I wish they'd make it clear when you're booking, as I've often been surprised. I also got surprised by a pink smoke bomb once - it was at an outdoor theatre so maybe they thought it was ok but it travelled right up!
I'm not necessarily saying it should be banned, but sometimes it feels like it's really unnecessary and doesn't add anything to the performance. It would be good if they considered whether they actually need it. I do wonder if it's good for the performers, who are in the middle of it every time they perform.
I'd still go to the theatre even if they did warn, but it would help me choose where to sit. I got lucky once because I had standing seats at the Globe in London booked by someone else so could move out of the way, but if I had booked the best seats I would have been right in the worst of it.
I think we could learn from whatever people with epilepsy did to get the word out that they can have seizures triggered by lighting effects. Apparently it's not everyone with epilepsy triggered by flashing or strobe lighting, but it's still a standard warning and it seems many people know it can be an issue. I would like that level of awareness for asthma and things like haze/fog effects and scents.
May not help that too many people don't take asthma seriously so don't see the issue, or assume there's a few triggers everyone has and it's not serious.
Thanks Lysistrata , my reply to Poobah above is also to you, the more I read about these smoke machines and hazers the more concerned I become especially when I read that they are used at almost any large concert. There were a lot of elderly people at this concert and it was held at a large venue where people came from all over.
I went to a concert a couple of weeks ago and to be fair there was a warning on the door that both flashing lights and haze machines would be used.
I hadn't booked the tickets so I don't know if there was any warning at the time of booking. Luckily the haze was quite light and we were far enough away that I only felt it ever so slightly.
I asked my friend who booked the tickets for our concert and she's just replied saying no, there was no mention of the haze machine at the time of booking
It sounds like it wasn't an issue here which is good, but honestly what use is either warning at that point?? You've already paid for tickets and chosen where to sit and got yourself there. They really need to warn clearly when people are actually buying (and not somewhere that's in tiny print and easy to miss).
Every time I can't breath when those awful machinescate on complain to the theatre but nextvgime take a mask or put tissues to cover your nose and mouth sit near the back might help. X
Yes I used Fostair and Ventolin during the performance. Well done and good luck with the harmonica. I used to play the clarinet when I was a girl, now I regret giving it up, perhaps I should start again.
I'm a woodwind player - primarily flute but also clarinet, recorder and saxophone for teaching purposes. I'm convinced my wind playing has helped my lungs but also causes slight problems at asthma checks etc cos my peak flow is always better than 'expected'. Even if I happen to be struggling on the day I can usually get a decent peak flow but then just spend the next 5 minutes coughing as a result 🙄
And yes, you could always restart your clarinet playing again - either with or without a teacher
Oh I get this! I played the oboe for years aged 7-20ish, plus a lot of singing. I think this is why my best peak flow is 630 Vs 450 predicted. Causes endless trouble because people can't believe it and often don't understand about singing or wind instruments at all.
I've had it serviced but my lungs now really struggle with it. I'm out of practice yes and my lip is too but it was generally fine with mild asthma except for the lip. I've acquired a tenor recorder which is definitely easier lungwise and considering the clarinet, but no idea how I would try it out first.
I really struggle with tenor recorder cos my hands are too small 🤣 Every so often I take my entire family of recorders into school with me (Garklein [TINY] - sopranino - soprano / descant - alto / treble - tenor - bass) and I always have a laugh with the kids as I struggle to play a simple scale on the tenor 😂 As strange as it sounds I can play the bass easily but that's because it's got extra keys to help the reach.
I've tried oboe but didn't like it, I can't remember the exact reason now as it was many years ago and I only played for a short time. I find clarinet quite difficult lung-wise if I have to play for an extended time as there is resistance from the reed - but from what I remember, less-so than the oboe. Flute has always been my favourite but even more so as my asthma has worsened as it's free-blowing so there's no extra resistance.
I know some specialist music shops allow you to try instruments before you buy them or others do a rent-to-buy scheme so if you could find one near you, you could possibly try out a clarinet that way
Thanks - might do that! I really liked the clarinet but I have perfect pitch and when I was 7 I couldn't deal with transposing instruments. I could probably handle it now with more experience but then it was 'play a B flat'. Me 'that's an A'. Them 'it's a B flat'. Me IT'S AN A. Them: maybe try a different instrument...😂
I have massive hands so tenor recorder not an issue thankfully. I found a good plastic Yamaha tenor for £18 on Vinted!
Ohh that is good! When I was buying my 'family' I went for el cheapo for all of them cos I wasn't intending to play them properly - they're purely for demo purposes. The bass recorder doesn't actually belong to me, it belongs to one of the music services who I work for. I've had it since about 1996 when I was in the youth music group before I'd even done my A Levels, so I'm guessing they've probably forgotten I've got it now 🤣 I did buy a decent Yamaha descant cos that's the one I actually teach regularly but that's hardly breaking the bank!
I can understand how clarinet playing might bother a child with perfect pitch 😮 Yes, you're right, with more experience and understanding it might be easier for you - but in my opinion that's even more reason for you to try before you commit, just in case it still bothers you more than you're willing to put up with
Lol I think that bass is yours now 😂 My brother plays the bass recorder - he used to play the bassoon but his needs vast amounts of work now so he taught himself bass in lockdown so he could play duets with his wife, who already plays the higher ones.
I definitely need to try a clarinet out I think - though I was ok with the cor anglais which is transposing. I do also want to see how my lungs respond though, because I did NOT expect them to react like this to the oboe! I figured I might just be out of practice and struggle for a bit but so far it's actively set me off both times and I can't work out why - it's clean and serviced, new reed etc
High peak flow here too. Regarding the asthma checkups, I check my peak flow at least once a week on a 'good day' so if I get any arguments I can point out what my normal score is and that it is fairly consistent from week to week. I know there will always be one or two people who insist on going by the charts, but hopefully if you (or someone with you if you are out of puff) can point out that your normal peak flow is always above x, they will listen!
Absolutely yes, my lungs hate it. I usually take a mask just in case - especially to the panto with the grandchildren! Dry ice at parties and weddings 😱😖😳🙄😷😷
Many years ago (maybe 15?, could even be closer to 20 ) I'd been at a new dance school for a couple of years (as a young adult, not a child) and we did a show. Thankfully I was only in one dance but the show was on for 2 nights and there was a smoke machine on stage with us My teacher knew I was asthmatic (as I presume many of the dancers in the school were) and yes it set my asthma off quite badly (And my asthma was less bad then compared to how it is now ). I mentioned it to her at the next lesson and she said she'd been told by the company that hired the smoke machine that it was perfectly safe and whatever it was that made the smoke was vegetable based.
Thanks for your comments LittleMissFaffaLot, the company's comment that it was safe as the smoke was vegetable based just goes to show the lack of understanding about asthma and other respiratory issues.
Hi. Yes I had a similar experience years ago watching a play, sat at the front, dry ice pumped into my face so had to leave as asthma was bad. Recently I was going to see a play at the National Theatre with the writers daughter who was 10 so I couldnt really come out. He asked for no dry ice to be used but was also told that things have come on and now it should not be a problem for asthmatics. Obv the latter is not the case or maybe there are different types I am really only allergic to cats usually.
Grrrrr!!! My pet hate is other people telling me what will and won't be a problem for me! And saying it 'should not' be a problem for asthmatics almost sounds like we are to blame if it is!
Fully agree - this would drive me nuts and shows they don't understand asthma. Above someone said they were told that it's fine because it's vegetable based - I think this is an example of the fallacy that if it's natural then it's fine.
Or just that too many people don't understand the range and variety of triggers in asthma. Another pet hate is people telling me that because they or someone they know with asthma is fine with X then everyone else will be too, and they magically know all about asthma because they or their relative has it. 🙄
Yep! I had to stop for breath three times walking up a hill this week (very damp, misty weather) and someone told me I was only breathless because I was unfit. In dry weather, I can do the same hill in one go, but oh no, they 'know' I'm breathless due to lack of exercise...
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) I'd been at a new dance school for a couple of years (as a young adult, not a child) and we did a show. Thankfully I was only in one dance but the show was on for 2 nights and there was a smoke machine on stage with us 
). I mentioned it to her at the next lesson and she said she'd been told by the company that hired the smoke machine that it was perfectly safe and whatever it was that made the smoke was vegetable based. 
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