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Poster – Poisoning Recognition and Management

Here’s what you, as a First Aider, need to know to recognise and manage a poisoning emergency. Accidental Poisoning Recognition: What it is - When someone unintentionally drinks, eats, breathes, injects or touches enough of a hazardous substance to cause illness or death. Examples - Pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, cleaning products, pesticides, Carbon Monoxide. Symptoms - Fitting, Nausea, Vomiting, Falling over, Drowsiness, Abdominal Pain, Unconsciousness Management: 1. First, ensure you can safely assist them. 2. If conscious, ask them what happened and what they have been exposed to. 3. NEVER try to induce vomiting. 4. Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (24/7, Australia wide) 5. If they become unconscious, CALL 000 and start CPR. Be mindful of toxic residue on the casualty’s lips. Do compression-only CPR or use a face shield. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Recognition: What it is - When Carbon Monoxide, a toxic gas with fumes that are impossible to see, taste, or smell, is inhaled. Examples- Combustion engines and any appliances that use gas, oil, kerosene, or wood can produce carbon monoxide. Symptoms: Drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, headaches, weakness, confusion, shortness of breath, unconsciousness and death (when exposed to high CO levels) Management: 1. Call 000 2. Ensure you can safely assist them. If it’s too dangerous, do not try. 3. Get the casualty to clean air (if safe to do so). 4. Monitor their condition. 5. If they become unconscious, perform CPR & Defibrillation.