POISONING         

• Call, or send for an ambulance immediately
• A conscious patient should be given fluids
• If unconscious, put in the recovery position
• If he is not breathing, give artificial respiration

Important First-Aid

·         If possible, notify the hospital that the patient is coming and which poison has been taken

·         If the patient is alert enough to swallow, give him at least two glasses of bland fluid: milk, milk and water, barley water or plain water. These should be drunk slowly. Do not give salt drinks

·         Do not try to make the patient vomit. If he vomits spontaneously, clear the throat and mouth to protect his breathing. Send a small sample of the vomit to the hospital (in a bottle labeled with your estimate of the total amount vomited)

·         Send any containers (even if empty) of the substance taken by the patient

·         Closely watch the patient in case he vomits, loses consciousness or stops breathing.

·         The attempted suicide must be guarded from making another attempt

Preventive Steps

·         If the accident took place in your home, you must take steps to ensure that it cannot occur again

·         Note why the poison was accessible. Remember that all potentially poisonous substances should be kept in locked cupboards, or at least out of a child's reach

·         Make sure that poisons are clearly labelled, and if possible, kept in their original containers. Apart from being a safety measure, the containers usually give instructions on what to do in an emergency

Fumes and smoke

• Make sure that you do not rush into danger area unprepared.

·         Have a safety line tied round you, with its end in the hands of someone outside

·         If possible, put a moist towel or handkerchief over your mouth and nose. Take a couple of deep breaths in and out before you go in. Then hold your breath

·         If the smoke is from a fire, travel along the floor

·         Support the patient and lead him out. put If he cannot walk, drag him out with your hands under his armpits.

·         If no fire burns or smoulders, open doors and windows. 1 n case of fire, keep them shut.

Pesticides

·         These are very variable in their action. the They are more dangerous if used as sprays, can harm if swallowed, breathed in or absorbed through skin

·         The effects of pesticide poisoning can be cumulative, causing headaches, lassitude, muscle ache, weakness, sweating, vomiting, difficulty in or even cessation of breathing

·         Get the patient out of the spray area and put him to rest. Wearing gloves, remove any contaminated clothing (put them into closed plastic bags); thoroughly wash his skin. Cheek the pesticide container label for advice. If necessary, give artificial respiration Summon medical help immediately