You walk in to your friends home and find a 28 year old female lying on the floor unresponsive. There is an empty pill bottle near by. The patient is breathing but respirations are very slow and shallow. Her color is gray and her lips are blue. You place her on her side in case she vomits. Next you call 911.
About 78% of poisons are unintentional and 18% are intentional. In 2016 there were over 2 million poisonings in the United States. Nearly 50% of all poisonings involve children under 6 years of age.
Emergency Care
Check for pulse and breathing if victim is unconscious.
Start CPR if breathing and pulse are absent.
Call 911.
Attempt to determine what the victim has ingested.
If possible have a sample for EMS.
In some cases, if the victim is conscious, you may need to have them drink water to dilute the poison.
You can call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 anywhere in the United States.
Poisons that contact the skin or eyes.
These poisons could be any toxic substance. Examples could be herbicides, insecticides, gasoline or other chemicals. The number one treatment for poisons contacting the skin or eyes is to dilute or flush with large quantities of water.
Emergency Care
If the victim’s eyes have come in contact with a harmful substance, immediately flush the eye (with clean water) from the nose outward. This prevents the harmful material from being flushed into the other eye. Flush for a least 20 minutes.
Call 911.
If an area of skin has come into contact with a harmful substance flush the clean water for at least 20 minutes.
Poisonous Gases or Fumes
About 430 deaths each year are caused by carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. it is found when combustion takes place such as a gas, fuel oil or propane furnace. CO can collect in a home or apartment if the furnace flue pipe does not allow it to escape to the outside appropriately.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are flu-like such as, headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO is absorbed through the lungs as you breath. A CO alarm can help detect high levels within your home and prevent illness or threat from exposure.
Emergency Care
If the victim has been overcome by fumes or poisonous gases, move him or her to fresh air. Open windows and doors if you are unable to move the victim.
If unconscious or unable to walk, you can attempt to move them on a blanket or rug.
These simple measures can go a long way in helping victims of poisoning. Your quick action can help save a life.
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Luke 10:30-35
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