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 cause death when introduced into the body or
into the skin surface. A poisoning emergency can be life
threatening.

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

TR 7-2
 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
1. Try toPoisoning
identify the poison.
. Place the victim on his or her left side.
3. Monitor ABCs.
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.
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 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
ove the victim form the toxic environment and into fresh air immediately
2. Monitor ABCs.
3. Seek medical attention.

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 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.
n with a dry cloth blot the poison from the skin. If the poison is a
powder, brush it off
Flood the area with copious amounts of water.
Continually monitor the patient’s vital signs.

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 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.
. Watch for signals of allergic reaction.

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 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
1. Wash wound. sting
2. Apply a cold pack
Get medical care to receive antivenin.
Call local emergency number, if necessary.

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 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.
ting ray – soak in nonscalding hot water until pain goes away.
3. Clean and bandage the wound.
Call local emergency number, if necessary.

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 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.
Keep bitten part still, and lower than the heart.
3. Call local emergency number.

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 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

Bitesis minor – wash wound.
. If bleeding
2. Control bleeding.
3. Apply antibiotic ointment.
4. Cover the wound.
t medical attention if wound bleeds severely or if you suspect
mal has rabies.
l local emergency number or contact animal control personnel.

TR 7-10
 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

. 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

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 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS First Aid Visual Aids
SAFETY SERVICES Poisoning

. High Priority for Transport

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

First Aid for Drug Emergencies

Establish and maintain an open airway.
nitor the patient’s mental status and vital signs frequently.
Maintain the patient’s body temperature.
4. Take measures to prevent shock
5. Care for any behavioral problem.
6. Support the patient.

TR 7-12
 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

the same attention as you would to any patient with an illness or injury.
or the patient’s vital signs constantly. Provide life support when necessa
osition the patient to avoid aspiration of vomitus.
Protect the patient from hurting him or herself.

TR 7-13