Priorities in Emergencies
Emergency
Checklist
Basic
First Aid Kit
Amputation
Asphyxia
Bites
& stings
Bleeding
Blisters
Breathing
Burns
& scalds
Chemical
burns
Chemicals,
inhaled
Chest
injuries
Choking
Circulation
Crush
injuries
Cyanocrylate
glues
Dental
operations
Diabetic
coma
Dislocations
Drowning
Ear
injuries
Electrocution
& electrical injuries
Epilepsy
Eye
injuries
Fainting
Fish
hooks
Fits
& convulsions
Fractures
Frost
bite
Head
injuries
Heart
attack
Heatstroke
& heat exhaustion
Hypothermia
Internal
bleeding
Nosebleeds
Panic
Poisoning
Shock
Slipped
disc
Spinal
injury
Splinters
Sprains
& strains
Stroke
Surgical operations
Unconsciousness
Wounds
Poison
Extracts from
site: http://www.drlockie.com/
Poisoning
involving household chemicals is one of the most preventable of
emergencies. Poisons can enter the body through the mouth or skin, or they
may be inhaled (see Chemicals inhaled).
They can do temporary or permanent damage, and may be fatal. Corrosive
poisons cause burns; neurotoxins damage the nervous system; other poisons
prevent blood carrying oxygen to the tissues; others damage the digestive
system. Symptoms vary enormously, from nausea and vomiting to dizziness,
paralysis, numbness convulsions, and collapse. If possible, take some
evidence of the cause of poisoning – pill box, medicine bottle, fluid
container, sample of vomit – to the hospital with the casualty.Poisons
absorbed through the skin, for example pesticides and insecticides can
cause convulsions (select Fits and convulsions).
Wash the chemical from the skin with large amounts of water, and make sure
the contaminated water drains away safely. Do not contaminate yourself. Dial
999.
Poisons
taken by mouth include proprietary and prescription drugs and medicines,
household and garden chemicals, food contaminated with dangerous bacteria,
and poisonous plants, especially fungi and berries. Symptoms include
convulsions, retching or vomiting, abdominal pain, and unconsciousness. In
the case of household and garden chemicals, there may be burns around the
mouth; with food poisoning, symptoms come on 24 hours after eating
contaminated food, and usually include diarrhoea; with drug abuse, there
may be injection marks and swollen veins on the inside of the forearm.
Try to
find out what has caused the poisoning. If the casualty is unconscious,
check breathing and pulse, give artificial respiration and cardiac
resuscitation if necessary (select Breathing, Circulation), and
then place in the recovery position (select Unconsciousness)
and Dial 999.
Do
not try to induce vomiting or ‘neutralise’ the poison with anything by
mouth, unless the lips and mouth are burned, in which case give sips of
water or milk. Poisoning with Paracetamol (e.g. Calpol, Panadol) can cause
liver damage. If in doubt, see your GP within 2 hours.