Step one in
any poisoning emergency is to call an ambulance or doctor. The only exception is when you
are all alone with the victim. Then you must see that he is breathing and that he is out
of the exposure before leaving him to make your phone call. Always save the pesticide and
the label for the doctor.
Poison On the Skin
- The faster the poison is washed off the patient, the less injury will result.
- Drench skin and clothing with water (shower, hose, faucet, pond).
- Remove clothing.
- Cleanse skin and hair thoroughly with soap and water. Detergents and commercial cleaners
are better than soap.
- Dry and wrap in blanket.
- WARNING: Do not allow any pesticide to get on you while you are helping the victim.
Chemical Burns of the Skin
- Wash with large quantities of running water for 15 minutes or more.
- Remove contaminated clothing.
- Immediately cover loosely with a clean, soft cloth.
- Avoid use of ointments, greases, powders, and other drugs in first aid treatment of
burns.
Poison in the Eye
- It is most important to wash the eye out as quickly but as gently as possible.
- Hold eyelids open, wash eyes with a gentle stream of clean running water.
- Continue washing for 15 minutes or more.
- Do not use chemicals or drugs in wash water. They may increase the extent of the injury.
Inhaled Poisons (Dusts, Vapors, Gases)
- If victim is in an enclosed space, do not go in after him without an air-supplied
respirator.
- Carry patient (do not let him walk) to fresh air immediately.
- Open all doors and windows.
- Loosen all tight clothing.
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- Apply artificial respiration if breathing has stopped or is irregular.
- Keep patient as quiet as possible
- If patient is convulsing watch his breathing and protect him from falling and striking
his head. Keep his chin up so his air passage will remain free for breathing.
- Prevent chilling (wrap patient in blankets but don't overheat).
- Do not give alcohol in any form.
Swallowed Poisons
The most important choice you have to make when aiding a person who has swallowed a
pesticide is to vomit or not to vomit. The decision must be made quickly and accurately;
the victim's life may depend on it. Usually it is best to get rid of the swallowed poison
fast. But: NEVER induce vomiting if the victim is unconscious or is in convulsions. The
victim could choke to death on the vomitus.
NEVER induce vomiting if the victim has swallowed a corrosive poison. Find out what poison
the person has ingested. A corrosive poison is a strong acid or alkali such as dinoseb.
The victim will complain of severe pain and have signs of severe mouth and throat burns. A
corrosive poison will burn the throat and mouth as severely coming up as it did going
down.
NEVER induce vomiting if the person has swallowed petroleum products (that is kerosene,
gasoline, oil lighter fluid). Most pesticides which come in liquid formulations are
dissolved in petroleum products. The words "emulsifiable concentrate" or
"solution" on the pesticide label are signals NOT to induce vomiting in the
poison victim if he has swallowed the concentrates. Concentrated petroleum products (like
corrosive poisons) cause severe burns and they will burn as severely when vomited up. If
he has swallowed a dilute form of these formulations, he should be forced to vomit
immediately.
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