POISON

A substance which, if taken into the body

in sufficient quantity, may cause

temporary or permanent damage.

POISON MAY BE:

Swallowed

POISON MAY BE:

Inhaled

POISON MAY BE:

Absorbed

POISON MAY BE:

Injected

POISONING

RecognitionDepend on the nature of the substance and, in some

cases, how it entered the body. Any of the following

may occur:

Abdominal pain.

Drowsiness.

Nausea and / or vomiting.

Burning pain from mouth through to stomach.

Difficulty breathing.

Tight feeling in chest.

POISONINGRecognition

• Headache

• Ringing in ears

• Blurred vision

• Smell of fumes

• Odours on breath

• Bite or injection marks, with or without local swelling

• Contamination of skin

• Change of skin colour; cyanosis around lips

• Burns around and inside mouth or on tongue

• Sudden collapse

POISONING

TreatmentRemember to:

Record the names of substances involved.

Contact Poisons Information Service for specific advice on management. Drug & Poison Information Centre (DPIC)

Send any containers and/or suicide notes with casualty to hospital.

Send any vomit with casualty to hospital.

TREATMENT SWALLOWED POISONS

Check, and if necessary, clear casualty’s airway.

If casualty becomes unconscious, check ABC and prepare for CPR.

Use a plastic face shield to protect yourself.

Call for an ambulance.

TREATMENT SWALLOWED POISONS

Do not make the patient vomit, as this could harm the patient further.

If the victim starts vomiting, turn him onto his left side to prevent vomit from getting into the air passage.

Do not give any food or drink until advised.

Reassure the victim and keep him or her comfortable.

TREATMENT DRUG POISONING

Check, and if necessary, clear casualty’s airway.

If casualty becomes unconscious, check ABC and prepare for CPR.

Place casualty in recovery position.

Call for an ambulance.

Keep samples of vomited material.

Look for clues to the identity of the drug.

NEVER attempt to induce vomiting.

TREATMENT INHALED POISONS

If possible, remove casualty from danger.

Call for an ambulance.

If casualty is unconscious, move casualty to an area with fresh air immediately.

Leave the area as soon as possible, and avoid breathing in the fumes.

TREATMENT INHALED POISONS

If indoors, open doors and windows to improve ventilation.

Give oxygen if trained to do so.

Check breathing and pulse & prepare for CPR.

Place casualty in recovery position.

TREATMENT POISONS ON THE SKIN

Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Place them in a sealed bag.

Dust off any dry poisons residues if any.

Rinse skin under cool running water for at least 15 minutes.

Call for an ambulance.

TREATMENT POISONS ON THE SKIN

If casualty is unconscious, open the airway.

Check breathing and pulse & prepare for CPR.

Use a plastic face shield to protect yourself.

Place casualty in recovery position.