BFA PPT Slide-09

2. POISON
A substance which, if taken into the body
in sufficient quantity, may cause
temporary or permanent damage.

3. POISON MAY BE:
Swallowed

4. POISON MAY BE:
Inhaled

5. POISON MAY BE:
Absorbed

6. POISON MAY BE:
Injected

7. POISONING
Recognition
Depend 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.

8. POISONING
Recognition
• 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

9. POISONING
Treatment
Remember 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.