Page 136 - Participant Manual

Box 7-5. Poison Control Centers

There are 55 regional poison control centers in the
United States. By dialing the national Poison Help
hotline (1-800-222-1222), you will be put in touch
with the poison control center that serves your area.
The call is toll free, and the phone number works
from anywhere in the United States. 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.

Callers are often able to get the help they need from
the poison control center without having to call
9-1-1 or the designated emergency number. This
helps to reduce the workload of EMS personnel and
also reduces the number of emergency room visits.
Of course, in some cases, the poison control center
staff member may tell you to call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number, and you should always call
9-1-1 or the designated emergency number first if the person is showing signs or symptoms of a
life-threatening condition.

Be prepared: Keep the telephone number of the national Poison Help hotline posted by every telephone in
your home or office! The service is free and staff members are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Bites and Stings

Bites and stings can range in severity from mildly irritating to life threatening. When a person is bitten or
stung, proper first aid care can help to limit complications and speed healing, and may even be lifesaving.

Animal Bites

Any animal that has teeth, whether domesticated (e.g., pets or livestock) or wild, can be the source of a bite wound.
When the animal is unknown to the person (e.g., a stray or wild animal), rabies may be a concern (Box 7-6).

Signs and Symptoms of Animal Bites

Animal bites may result in bruising, breaks in the skin or both. Open wounds, such as the avulsion wounds
and lacerations often caused by dog bites, may be accompanied by a great deal of bleeding. Puncture
wounds, such as those often caused by cat bites, typically do not bleed as much.

First Aid Care for Animal Bites © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.

If the wound is deep or extensive, bleeding heavily or uncontrollably, or carries a high risk for infection (for
example, a puncture wound), medical care will be needed. The person may need stitches, a tetanus booster
shot or both. If the wound is bleeding heavily, take steps to control external bleeding and call 9-1-1 or the
designated emergency number. You should also call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number if the person
was bitten by a wild or stray animal, or if you suspect that the animal might have rabies.

Chapter 7 Environmental Injuries and Illnesses | 128 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual Chapter 7 Environmental Injuries and Illnesses | 129 | First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual