Poisoning First Aid

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Poisoning First Aid: First Aid

ALWAYS CALL YOUR LOCAL POISON CONTROL CENTER FOR ADVICE!

For poisoning by swallowing:

1. Check and monitor the victim's airway, breathing and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
2. Try to make sure that the victim has indeed been poisoned. It is not always obvious. Some signs include chemical-smelling breath, burns around the mouth, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or unusual odors on the victim. If possible, identify the poison.
3. Only induce vomiting if the poison control center tells you to do so.
4. If the victim vomits, protect the airway. If you must clear the victim's airway, wrap a cloth around your fingers before cleaning out his or her mouth and throat. If the victim has vomited a plant part, save the vomitus as it may allow identification by an expert who can then determine an antidote.
5. If the victim starts having convulsions, protect him or her from injury and give convulsion first aid.
6. Reassure the victim and keep him or her comfortable. Position the victim on their left side while getting or awaiting medical help. If the poison has spilled on the victim's clothes, remove the clothing and flush the skin with water.

For inhalation poisoning:

1. Call for emergency help. Never attempt to rescue a victim without notifying others first.
2. If it is safe to do so, rescue the victim from the danger of the gas, fumes, or smoke. Hold a wet cloth over your nose and mouth. Open windows and doors to remove the fumes.
3. Take several deep breaths of fresh air, then hold your breath as you go in.
4. Avoid lighting a match as some gases may ignite.
5. After rescuing the victim from danger, check his or her airway, breathing, and circulation. If necessary, perform rescue breathing and CPR.
6. As necessary, perform first aid for skin burns, eye injuries (eye emergencies), or convulsions (convulsion, first aid).
7. If the victim vomits, protect his or her airway.
8. Even if the victim seems perfectly fine, get medical help.