Page 134 - Participant Manual

Box 7-4. Lethal Poisons

There are many different types of poisoning, but three in particular warrant
special mention because they are common and often fatal: drug overdose,
alcohol poisoning and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Drug Overdose

Drugs (whether over-the-counter, prescription or illicit) are frequently a cause of
death as a result of poisoning. Drug overdose may be accidental or intentional.
Signs and symptoms will vary depending on the drug but may include loss
of consciousness, changes in breathing and heart rate, and nausea or vomiting. If you suspect a drug
overdose, call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number if the person:

■ Is unresponsive or seems to be losing ■ Is vomiting blood or passing blood.
consciousness.
■ Has a seizure, severe headache or slurred
■ Is having difficulty breathing. speech.
■ Has persistent pain or pressure in the chest or ■ Is aggressive or uncooperative.
abdomen.

While you are waiting for EMS personnel to arrive, try to find out from others at the scene what substance
or substances the person may have taken. Keep the person covered to minimize shock.

Opioid drugs, such as heroin and oxycodone, are a common cause of drug overdose in the United States.
Signs and symptoms of opioid overdose include slowed breathing (or no breathing), extreme drowsiness
or loss of consciousness, and small pupils. EMS personnel use naloxone (Narcan ) to reverse the effects
®
of opioid drugs. In some states, lay responders can receive training in administering naloxone. For lay
responder use, naloxone is supplied as a nasal spray.

Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is caused by drinking large quantities of alcohol in a short period of time (binge
drinking). The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of
drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent or more. This typically
happens when a man consumes 5 or more drinks over a period of about 2 hours, or when a woman
consumes 4 or more drinks over the same amount of time. Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central
nervous system. Very high levels of alcohol in the bloodstream can affect the brain’s ability to control
breathing, heart rate and body temperature, resulting in death. Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning
include loss of consciousness, slow or irregular breathing, vomiting, seizures and hypothermia. If you
suspect alcohol poisoning, call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number immediately. Place the person
in the recovery position and take steps to keep the airway clear as needed until EMS personnel arrive.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced whenever a fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, diesel, wood or
charcoal 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, © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
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. Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include
drowsiness, confusion, headache, dizziness, weakness, and nausea or vomiting. 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 9-1-1 or the designated
emergency number.

Chapter 7 Environmental Injuries and Illnesses | 126 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual Chapter 7 Environmental Injuries and Illnesses | 127 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual