Poisoning Emergencies

General First Aid for Poisoning

To give general first aid for poisoning emergencies, perform the following steps:

1. Perform a scene survey. Ensure your own safety and confirm the source of poisoning has been removed from the area.
2. Perform a primary survey. Gather any information about the suspected poison.
3. If the casualty is responsive, call the poison information centre in your region and follow their advice.
4. If the casualty is unresponsive or having a seizure, call 9-1-1.
5. If the casualty is unresponsive but breathing, place in the recovery position.
6. Give ongoing casualty care until medical help takes over.

   Note: Health Canada has a toll-free telephone number for poison centres. Canadians can call 1-844-POISON-X to access critical medical advice for poisonings.

Poison Information Centre Versus Ambulance Consider the condition of the person you are caring for. Are they responsive? Can they tell you what they may have come into contact with, been exposed to or ingested, and how much? Are their ABCs normal? In this case, contact the poison information centre and follow their guidance on care. Often, poisons that do not pose a life-threatening situation can be cared for at home and pass through the body with time. If your casualty has a reduced level of responsiveness, difficulty breathing, sweaty and cool skin, or severe pain anywhere in the body, they need to be seen by a hospital and the ambulance should be called instead of calling the poison information centre.

First Aid for Swallowed Poisons

If CPR is required, check the area around the mouth for poisonous residue and wipe clear. Always use a barrier device for added protection.

To give first aid for swallowed poisons, perform the following steps:

1. Perform a scene survey and a primary survey.
2. Do not dilute a poison that has been swallowed (for example, by giving fluids) unless told to do so by the poison information centre.
3. If the casualty is conscious, wipe poisonous or corrosive residue from the casualty’s face and rinse or wipe out the mouth.
4. Never induce vomiting except on the advice of the poison information centre. Many poisons will cause more damage when vomited.

First Aid for Inhaled Poisons

Perform a scene survey. Assess hazards with particular attention to the possible presence of a poisonous gas or vapour. Ensure your safety; it may be best to wait for the fire department to arrive.

To give first aid for inhaled poisons, perform the following steps:

1. Perform a primary survey.
2. Move the casualty to fresh air and away from the source of the poison.
3. If casualty is not breathing, begin CPR. Always use a barrier device with a one-way valve when performing CPR. In the case of a poisoning, it will reduce the risk of the poison affecting you.
4. If the casualty vomits, keep the airway open by clearing out the mouth and putting the casualty into the recovery position.
5. If the casualty goes into convulsions, do not restrict the casualty’s movements. Protect them from injury.
6. Give ongoing casualty care. Get medical help.

If you work with chemicals such as toxic gases, make sure you know the specific first aid for the chemicals in your workplace. Ensure you wearing appropriate PPE (such as a respirator) as required. The safety data sheet (SDS), for each chemical contains this information. Send the SDS to the hospital with the injured worker if possible. If you work with chemicals at your place of employment, you must be certified in WHMIS/GHS.

First Aid for Absorbed Poisons

Most poisons absorbed by the skin cause irritation at the place of contact, but do not affect the rest of the body. The irritation, called contact dermatitis, includes redness, itching, and blisters. Some chemicals, however, do affect the rest of the body when absorbed by the skin, and these can cause life-threatening emergencies.

To give first aid for absorbed poisons, perform the following steps:

1. Perform a scene survey and a primary survey.
2. Flush the affected area with large amounts of cool water; if the poisonous substance is a powder, brush off excessive amounts with a dry cloth before flushing.
3. Remove any clothing that has been in contact with the poison. Do not touch the clothing until it has been thoroughly washed.
4. Wash the affected skin thoroughly with soap and water.
5. Give ongoing casualty care until medical help takes over.

First Aid for Injected Poisons

Follow the general first aid for poisoning. Injected poisons should be contained near the injection site.

Delay the circulation of the poison throughout the body by placing the casualty at rest and keeping the affected limb(s) below heart level.