Poisoning may be accidental or deliberate. Most pharmaceuticals are poisonous, even lethal in overdose. If poisoning occurs in an industrial area, farm or laboratory setting, suspect particularly dangerous agents and take safety precautions. If more than one person simultaneously appears affected by a poison, there is a high possibility of dangerous environmental contamination.

A poison can enter the body by ingestion, injection, absorption, or inhalation.

Signs and symptoms

• Unconsciousness

• Nausea and vomiting

• Blurred vision

• Headache

• Burning pain in the mouth and throat

• Seizures

• Respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest

First aid

• Try to ascertain what has been taken, how much and when

• Obtain medical advice promptly

• Call the Australian poisons information centre on 13 11 26

• Monitor the casualty and manage as required until the ambulance arrives

Unconscious casualty:

• Place on his/her side, maintain an open airway

• If not breathing normally, or at all, wash the poison from the face of the casualty, use a facemask, commence resuscitation

• Perform compression only CPR if no protection is available

Enters the eye:

• Flood the eye with saline, or cold water from a running tap or a cup/jug

• Continue to flush for 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open

Skin contact:

• Remove contaminated clothing, taking care to avoid contact with the poison

• Flood skin with running cold water

• Wash gently with soap and water and rinse well

If swallowed:

• Give a sip of water to wash out their mouth

• DO NOT try to make them vomit

• DO NOT use Ipecac Syrup

If inhaled:

• Immediately get the casualty to fresh air, without placing yourself at risk

• Avoid breathing fumes (don’t go into an unsafe environment)

• If it is safe to do so, open doors and windows