THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS Standard First Aid - Visual Aids

SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVES:

After completing this module, participants will be able to -

1. Define Poison

2. Enumerate common household poisons.

3. Enumerate ways in which poisoning may occur.

4. Define Drug Abuse and Alcohol Emergencies

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

POISON
Is any substance: solid, liquid or gas that tends to impair health or causes
death when introduced into the body or onto the skin surface. A poisoning
emergency can be life threatening.

Causes:

1. Common in suicide attempts.

2. Occasional accidental poisoning.

Common Household Poisons:

5. Denature alcohol
1. Sleeping pills
6. Lye and acids including boric
2. Pain relievers.
7. Poisonous plants
3. Insect and rodent poisons
8. Contaminated water
4. Kerosene
9. Fume
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

WAYS IN WHICH POISONING MAY OCCUR:

1. Ingestion – by mouth
2. Inhalation – by breathing
3. Injection – by animal bites, stings,
syringes
4. Absorption – by skin contact
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

INGESTED POISON
Is one that is introduced into the digestive tract by way of the mouth.

Signs and Symptoms

• Altered mental status. • Nausea, vomiting.
• History of ingesting poisons. • Abdominal pain.
• Burns around the mouth. • Diarrhea
• Odd breath odors.
First Aid for Ingested Poisoning
1. Try to identify the poison.
2. Place the victim on his or her left side.
3. Monitor ABCs.
4. Save any empty container, spoiled food for analysis.
5. Save any vomitus and keep it with the victim if he or she is taken to an
emergency facility.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

Suspect food poisoning if:

1. The victim ate food that “didn’t taste right” or that may have
been old, improperly prepared, contaminated, left at room
temperature for a long time, or processed with an excessive
amount of chemicals.
2. Several people who ate together become ill.

Instances when vomiting should not be induced:

1. If unresponsive
2. Cannot maintain airway
3. Has ingested an acid, or any corrosive product
4. Has a medical condition that could be complicated by vomiting
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

Do not give anything by mouth unless

advised by a Poison Control Center.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

INHALED POISON
Is a poison breathed into the lungs.

Signs and Symptoms

• History of inhaling poisons.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Chest pain.
• Cough, hoarseness, burning sensation in the throat.
• Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes).
• Dizziness, headache.
• Seizures, unresponsiveness (advance stages)

First Aid for Inhaled Poisoning

1. Remove the victim form the toxic environment and into fresh air immediately.
2. Monitor ABCs.
3. Seek medical attention.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

ABSORBED POISON
Is a poison that enters the body through the skin.

Signs and Symptoms

• History of exposures.
• Liquid or powder on the skin.
• Burns
• Itching, irritation.
• Redness, rash, blisters.

First Aid for Absorption Poisoning

1. Remove the clothing.
2. Then with a dry cloth blot the poison from the skin. If the poison is a
dry powder, brush it off
3. Flood the area with copious amounts of water.
4. Continually monitor the patient’s vital signs.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

INJECTED POISON
Is a poison that enters the body through a bite, sting, or syringe.

Insect Bites

Signs and Symptoms

• Stinger may be present.
• Pain
• Swelling
• Possible allergic reaction.
First Aid for Insect Bites
1. Remove stinger.
2. Wash wound.
3. Cover the wound.
4. Apply a cold pack.
5. Watch for signals of allergic reaction.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

Spider Bite/Scorpion Sting

Signs and Symptoms
• Bite mark.
• Swelling
• Pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing.

First Aid for Spider bite / Scorpion sting

1. Wash wound.
2. Apply a cold pack
3. Get medical care to receive antivenin.
4. Call local emergency number, if necessary.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

Marine Life Stings

Signs and Symptoms
• Possible marks
• Pain
• Swelling
• Possible allergic reaction.

First Aid for Marine Life stings

1. If jellyfish – soak area in vinegar.
2. If sting ray – soak in nonscalding hot water until pain goes away.
3. Clean and bandage the wound.
4. Call local emergency number, if necessary.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

Snake Bites
Signs and Symptoms
• Possible marks
• Pain
First Aid for Snake bites
1. Wash wound with soap and water.
2. Put pressure bandage on the wound area.
2. Keep bitten part still, and lower than the heart.
3. Call local emergency number.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

Comparative Characteristics

Venomous Non-Venomous

Cortina, side
Movement Semicortina locomotion winding

Head Semi-triangular Oblongated

Body Rectangular Circular

Skin Rough Smooth

Pupil Vertical Round

Ways/Manner of
attack Nonconstrictor Constrictor

Bite marks With fang marks Horseshoe shape

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

Human and Animal Bites

Signs and Symptoms
• Bite mark.
• Bleeding

First Aid for Human and Animal Bites

1. If bleeding is minor – wash wound.
2. Control bleeding.
3. Apply antibiotic ointment.
4. Cover the wound.
5. Get medical attention if wound bleeds severely or if you suspect
animal has rabies.
6. Call local emergency number or contact animal control personnel.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

General Care for Poisoning:

1. Survey the scene to make sure it is safe to approach and gather clues about
what happen.
2. Remove the victim from the source of the poison.
3. Do a primary survey to assess the victim’s airway, breathing and circulation.
4. Care for any life-threatening condition.
5. If the victim is conscious, do a secondary survey to gather additional
information.
6. Contact hospital or any Poison Control Center.
7. Do not give the victim anything by mouth unless advised by medical
professionals.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

DRUG ABUSE
Is the self-administration of one or more drugs in a way that
is not in accord with approved medical or social practice.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Life-threatening emergency
• Unresponsiveness • Fever
• Breathing difficulties or inability • Vomiting with an altered mental
to maintain an open airway. status or without gag reflex.
• Abnormal or irregular pulse. • Seizures
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

2. High Priority for Transport

• Altered mental status.
• Extremely low or high blood pressure.
• Sweating tremors, and hallucinations
(with alcohol withdrawal).
• Digestive problems, including
abdominal pain and bleeding.
• Visual disturbance, slurred speech,
uncoordinated muscle movement.
• Disinterested behavior, loss of
memory.
• Combativeness.
• Paranoia.

First Aid for Drug Emergencies

1. Establish and maintain an open airway.
2. Monitor the patient’s mental status and vital signs frequently.
3. Maintain the patient’s body temperature.
4. Take measures to prevent shock
5. Care for any behavioral problem.
6. Support the patient.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

ALCOHOL
Is a powerful Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant.
Signs of Intoxication
• Odor of alcohol on the breath. • Flushed face.
• Swaying and unsteadiness. • Drowsiness.
• Slurred speech. • Violent, destructive, or erratic behavior.
• Nausea and vomiting. • Self-injury, usually without realizing it.

First Aid for Alcohol Emergencies

1. Give the same attention as you would to any patient with an illness or injury.
2. Monitor the patient’s vital signs constantly..
3. Position the patient to avoid aspiration of vomitus.
4. Protect the patient from hurting him or herself.
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS Standard First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES