TIMER, breath counting

• The unit is activated by pressing the center of the front-side of the device.
• By pressing the start button the device provides:
• an audible beep to indicate the countdown has started;
• a red visual indicator informing the user that the device has been activated and is counting down (Each second flashing, till the timer is stopped or when it completes the one minute count)
• a double audible beep after 60 seconds indicating the 60 seconds' period has passed and the visual indicator should cease indicating the unit has stopped counting down.
• Pressing the button during an ongoing countdown resets the unit (= stop the countdown and the visual indicator).
• The unit does not make any sounds during the countdown
• Accuracy = ± 0.1 second.
• The unit is battery powered and full batteries allow the unit to support 10 ,000 cycles of 60 seconds as a minimum.
• Not replaceable battery
• Weight: 0.050 kg
• Volume: 0.207 dm²

Individually packed

Cord for wearing timer around neck

Counting can be challenging for CHWs who are not literate. The counting beads with visual cues on when the breathing rate is in the abnormal range has been demonstrated to be helpful. At the end of 1-minute period if the beads are in the red category the patient has fast breathing and needs medical treatment.

These counting beads are not available through international purchase but must be found through local procurement/manufacturing.

Description of the counting beads:

• One bead counted per breath
• Age-specific:
• children aged 2- 11 months
• children 12 months to 5 years
• Colour-coded
• A set of two chains of beads with 2 possible models:
• the beads of both chains have the same size, the longer chain is for the younger children (2-11months), the shorter for 1 to 5 years
• chains have the same length, but different beads sizes. Larger beads size for older age group of 12 months to 5 years, smaller beads for children of 2-11 months.

The colour of the last 10 beads should be red and different from the colour of the first 40 or 50 beads (depending on the age of the child). There are no separator beads, and they are tied so that there is space for moving the beads across the string.

The beads are made from plastic and round shaped. The white/regular beads are larger in diameter (e.g. 16mm), while the red beads are smaller in diameter (e.g. 12mm).

Strands have a clasp so they can be used open (straight) or closed (like a necklace).

• See: Neonatal care, Clinical and Therapeutic guidelines, MSF, 2021