Foreign Objects, Poisoning,
Bites and Stings (2)
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DRUG POISONING
Poisoning can result from an overdose of prescribed drugs, or drugs that are bought over the counter. It can also be caused by drug abuse or drug interaction. The effects vary depending on the type of drug and how it is taken (below). When you call the emergency services, give as much information as possible. While waiting for help to arrive, look for containers that might help you identify the drug.
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YOUR AIM
To maintain breathing and circulation
To arrange removal to the hospital
■ Do not induce vomiting.
■ If the casualty loses consciousness and is not
breathing (or is just gasping), begin CPR with chest compressions.
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ALCOHOL POISONING
Alcohol is a drug that depresses the activity of the central nervous system—in particular, the brain. Prolonged
or excessive intake of alcohol can severely impair all physical and mental functions, and the person may sink into
deep unconsciousness. There are other risks to a casualty from alcohol poisoning. For example: an unconscious casualty may inhale and choke on vomit; alcohol widens (dilates) the blood vessels so the body loses heat, and hypothermia may develop.
A casualty who smells of alcohol may be misdiagnosed and not receive appropriate treatment for an underlying cause of unconsciousness, such as a head injury, stroke, heart attack, or
hypoglycemia.
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There may be:
■ A strong smell of alcohol
■ Empty bottles or cans
■ Impaired consciousness: the casualty may respond if roused, but will quickly relapse
■ Flushed and moist face
■ Deep, noisy breathing
■ Full, bounding pulse
■ Unconsciousness
In the later stages of unconsciousness:
■ Shallow breathing
■ Weak, rapid pulse
■ Dilated pupils that react poorly to light
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YOUR AIMS
Do not induce vomiting.
If the casualty loses consciousness, open the airway. If breathing stops, begin CPR with chest compressions.
■ To maintain an open airway
■ To assess for other conditions
■ To seek medical help if necessary
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced whenever a fuel such as gas, oil is burned. When
equipment that burns these fuels is ventilated properly, carbon monoxide is not a problem. But if the equipment or ventilation system is faulty, or if equipment that is only supposed to be run outdoors is run inside an enclosed area, toxic levels of carbon monoxide can build up quickly, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning is often called a “silent killer” because the gas has no smell and you cannot see it.
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• Gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Respiratory signs and symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or slow and shallow breathing.
• Neurological signs and symptoms, such as changes in level of consciousness, seizures, headache, dizziness, weakness or irregular pupil size.
• Skin signs and symptoms, such as an unusual skin color or sweating.
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WHAT TO DO
A person with signs or symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning needs fresh air and medical attention immediately. Remove the person from the area if you can do so without endangering yourself and call 112 .
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The poison control centers are staffed by medical professionals who have access to
information about most types of poisoning. They can tell you what care to give if you think or know that someone has been poisoned.
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ANIMAL AND HUMAN BITES
Bites from sharp, pointed teeth cause deep puncture wounds that can damage tissues and introduce germs. Bites also crush the tissue. Any bite that breaks the skin needs prompt first aid because there is a high risk of infection.
A serious risk is rabies, a potentially fatal viral infection of the nervous system. The virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals. If bitten in an area where there is a risk of rabies, seek medical advice because the casualty must be given antirabies injections.
Try to identify the animal but do not
attempt to approach or trap it. Tetanus is also a potential risk following any animal bite.
Human bites carry only a small risk of transmitting the hepatis or HIV/AIDS viruses.
However, medical advice should be sought right away.
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YOUR AIMS
■To control bleeding
■ To minimize the risk of infection
■ To obtain medical help if necessary
• If you suspect rabies, arrange to take or send the casualty to the hospital immediately.
• Ask the casualty about tetanus immunization. Seek medical advice if he is unsure if he is upto-date with his immunizations.
If the wound is deep, control bleeding by applying direct pressure over a sterile pad and raise the injured part. Cover the wound and pad with a sterile dressing or large, clean nonfluffy pad and bandage firmly in place. Treat the casualty for shock and call 112 for emergency help.
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INSECT STING
Usually, a sting from a bee or wasp is painful rather than dangerous. An initial sharp pain is followed by mild swelling, redness, and soreness.
However, multiple insect stings can produce a serious reaction. A sting in the mouth or throat is potentially dangerous because swelling can obstruct the airway. With any bite or sting, it is important to watch for signs of an allergic reaction, which can lead to anaphylactic shock.
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■ Pain at the site of the sting
■ Redness and swelling around the site of the sting
YOUR AIMS
■ To relieve swelling and pain
■ To arrange removal to the hospital if necessary
Call 112 for emergency help if the casualty shows signs of anaphylactic shock, such as breathing difficulties and/or swelling of the face and neck.
Monitor and record vital signs— level of response, breathing, and pulse — while waiting for help to arrive.
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If a casualty has been stung in the mouth, there is a risk that swelling of tissues in the mouth and/or throat may occur, causing the airway to become blocked.
To help prevent this, give the casualty an ice cube to suck or a glass of cold water to sip. Call 112 for emergency help if swelling starts to develop.
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TICK BITE
Ticks are tiny, spiderlike creatures found in grass or woodlands. They attach themselves to passing animals/humans and bite into the skin to suck blood. When sucking blood, a tick swells to about the size of a pea, and it can then be seen easily.
Ticks can carry disease and cause infection, so they should be removed as soon as possible.
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YOUR AIM
To remove the tick
Do not try to remove the tick with butter or petroleum jelly
(vaseline) or burn or freeze it, since it may regurgitate infective fluids into the casualty.
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OTHER BITES AND STINGS
Scorpion stings as well as bites from some spiders and mosquitoes can cause serious illness, and may be fatal. Bites or stings in the mouth or throat are potentially dangerous because swelling can obstruct the airway. Be alert to an allergic reaction, which may lead the casualty to suffer anaphylactic shock.
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Depends on the species, but generally:
■ Pain, redness, and swelling at site of sting
■ Nausea and vomiting
■ Headache YOUR AIM
■ To relieve pain and swelling
■ To arrange removal to the hospital if necessary
Call 112 for emergency help if a scorpion or a black widow spider has stung the casualty,
or if he is showing signs of anaphylactic shock
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SNAKE BITE
While a snake bite is usually not serious, it is safer to assume that a snake is
venomous if a person has been bitten. A venomous bite is often painless. Depending on the snake, venom may cause local tissue destruction; it may block nerve impulses,
causing breathing and the heart to stop; or, cause blood clotting (coagulation) and then internal bleeding.
Do not attempt to kill or capture the snake that bit the casualty. But, if possible, make a note of the snake’s appearance to help doctors identify the correct antivenom. Take
precautions to prevent other people from being bitten. The first aid principles for treating any kind of snake bite are the same.
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There may be:
■ A pair of puncture marks—the bite may be painless
■ Severe pain, redness, and swelling at the bite
■ Nausea and vomiting
■ Disturbed vision
■ Increased salivation and sweating
■ Labored breathing; it may stop altogether YOUR AIMS
■ To prevent venom from spreading
■ To arrange urgent removal to the hospital
Do not apply a tourniquet, slash the wound with a knife, or try to suck out the venom.
■ If the casualty loses consciousness and is not breathing normally, begin CPR with chest compressions
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STINGS FROM SEA CREATURES
Jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals can all cause stings. Their venom is contained in stinging cells that stick to the casualty's skin. Most marine species found in temperate regions are not dangerous. However, some tropical marine creatures can cause severe poisoning. Death may result from paralysis of the chest muscles or, rarely, anaphylactic shock.
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Depends on the species, but generally:
■ Pain, redness, and swelling at site of sting
■ Nausea and vomiting
■ Headache YOUR AIMS
■ To relieve pain and discomfort
■ To seek medical help if necessary
If the injury is extensive or there is a severe reaction, call 112 for emergency help. Monitor and record vital signs—level of response, breathing, and pulse —while waiting for help to arrive.
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Pour copious amounts of vinegar over the area of the
injury to incapacitate the stinging cells. Help the casualty sit down. Call 112 for emergency help.
JELLYFISH STING
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Many marine creatures have spines that provide a mechanism against attack from predators but that can also cause painful wounds if stepped on. Sea urchins and weever fish have sharp
spines that can become embedded in the sole of the foot. Wounds may become infected if the spines are not removed. Hot water breaks down fish venom.
MARINE PUNCTURE WOUND
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YOUR AIM
To relieve pain and discomfort
■ Do not bandage the wound.
■ Do not scald the casualty.
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