First Aid Guides
Poisoning
What to do if someone is poisoned
Poisoning is a process of inhalation, ingestion, absorption, or injection of a poisonous substance.
Poisoning may be accidental or intentional. It can occur from many different substances such as chemicals, alcohol, drugs, plants, and household items.
Read more about causes, signs and symptoms.
Start with DRSABCD
D - Danger
Assess the area to ensure its safe for yourself, others and the patient. Only proceed to help them if its safe.
R - Response
Check for a response. You can do this by asking their name and squeezing their shoulders.
- If they do respond: Make them comfortable and continue to follow the steps in this guide
- If they don't respond: Send for help immediately (call Triple Zero 000) and follow the DRSABCD Action Plan
First Aid for Poisoning
If someone is poisoned, call Triple Zero (000). Follow the below steps to treat poisoning.
Call Poisons Information (13 11 26) and follow instructions on containers.
If they lose consciousness, follow the DRSABCD Action Plan.
Step 1: Ask questions
- Reassure and help them remain calm
- Ask them what sort of poison is involved
- Ask them how they were poisoned. They could have: swallowed, inhaled, injected or touched poison
Swallowed
- Immediately rinse the mouth - have them spit, not swallow
- Don't get them to vomit
- Wipe away visible substances around the mouth with water
Inhaled
- Without placing yourself at risk, move them to fresh air. If inside, open doors and windows
- Don't try to rescue someone when highly toxic or unknown gas is still present
- Loosen tight clothing
Injected
- Avoid touching or removing the needle
- Make them comfortable or place them in the recovery position
Touched (or in the eyes)
- Avoid touching the poison directly - use clothing, gloves or goggles
- Help them to remove contaminated clothing
- Wash the substance off their skin immediately with lots of running water
- If the poison is in the eyes, wash with a gentle stream of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Use a cup or a jug
- Allow the stream to flow from the inner corner across the eye to the outer corner
- Do not apply eye drops
Step 2: Provide information
- Keep any containers, medicine and products for medical review
- Give any vomit or notes to the paramedics
- Provide as much information about the circumstances as possible
Step 3: Stay with them
- Don't let them eat or drink anything
- Help them to stay calm
- Help them to stay awake
- If they aren't breathing normally or lose consciousness, follow the DRSABCD Action Plan
Poison and anaphylaxis
Poison may trigger anaphylaxis for someone with a severe allergy. If you know that someone has a severe allergy, give them the EpiPen® (adrenaline autoinjector).
Anaphylaxis first aid guide
