Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

Different factors affect first aid for poisoning: What was the poison? – Container labels, bottles, or bags at the scene can provide information. There may be spilled substances. You may smell a strange odour. Assess the scene carefully. Question the patient or any bystanders for any signs and symptoms and the events leading up to the incident. How much poison was available and how much was absorbed? – Question the patient or any bystanders. Estimate the amount of substance missing from a container or packaging. Always assume the container was full. Where was the poison absorbed? – Certain poisons can be absorbed multiple ways and with varying degrees of toxicity. Again, assess the scene and look for clues. Question the patient and any bystanders. When was the poison absorbed? – When did the patient first come in contact with the poison, and when did the first signs and symptoms appear?

The Ontario Poison Centre in Toronto has been serving the general public and healthcare professionals throughout Ontario since 1979. Although the Poison Centre is located at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), their clientele includes both children and adults. The primary role of the Poison Centre is to provide telephone information and advice about potential or real exposures to poisonous substances. In addition to its primary role, the Poison Centre also collects information on poisoning cases, generates and distributes poison prevention material, and participates in medical toxicology research.

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