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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Cyanide Poisoning Treatment

Call 911 if: 

  • You are sure the person was exposed to cyanide.

If you are not sure it is cyanide, call Poison Control at 800-222-1222.  

Treat the person as follows, depending on whether cyanide was inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through ski

1. Treat Inhalation or Ingestion

  • Get the person to fresh air immediately.
  • If you can't get away from the area where cyanide gas is, stay low to the ground.
  • If the person has difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing, do hands-only CPR:
  • Do not do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

 

2. Treat Skin Exposure

3. Treat Eye Exposure

  • Remove the person's contact lenses or glasses.
  • Immediately irrigate eyes with plain water for at least 10 minutes.
  • Put contact lenses in a plastic bag for emergency personnel to dispose of.
  • Glasses may be used after washing with soap and water.

 

4. Follow Up

  • At the hospital, the person will be treated with antidotes and oxygen.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on September 27, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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