FIRST AID TIPS

POISONING
A poison - also called a toxin - is a substance, which, if taken into the body in sufficient quantity, may cause temporary or permanent damage.
Poisons can be swallowed, absorbed through the skin, inhaled, splashed into the eyes, or injected. Once in the body, they may enter the bloodstream and be carried swiftly to all organs and tissues. Recognition features vary with the poison - they may develop quickly or over a number of days.
FOOD POISONING
Consuming food or drink that is contaminated with bacteria or viruses usually causes food poisoning. Some food poisoning is caused by poisons (toxins) from bacteria already in the food. The salmonella or E. coli group of bacteria, which are found mainly in meat, are common causes of food poisoning.
Symptoms may develop rapidly (within hours), or they may not occur until a day or so after eating contaminated food.
Poisons produced by the staphylococcus group of bacteria frequently cause toxic food poisoning. Symptoms usually develop rapidly, possibly with 2-6 hours of eating the affected food.
One of the dangers of food poisoning is loss of body fluids. The dehydration that results from this fluid loss can be serious if the fluids are not replaced quickly enough. Dehydration is especially serious in the very young and the very old, and, in some cases, treatment may be required in hospital.
Recognition features
There may be:
· Nausea and vomiting.
· Cramping abdominal pains.
· Diarrhoea (possibly bloodstained).
· Headache or fever.
· Features of shock.
· Impaired consciousness.
Your aims
· To encourage the casualty to rest.
· To give the casualty plenty of bland fluids to drink.
· To seek medical help if necessary.
TREATMENT
· Advise the casualty to lie down and rest. Help them if necessary.
· Give the casualty plenty of bland fluids to drink and a bowl to use if they vomit.
· Call a doctor for advice

HEART ATTACK
A Heart attack is most commonly caused by a sudden blockage of the blood supply to the heart muscle itself, for example a blood clot. The main risk is that the heart will stop beating so your aims are to make the casualty as comfortable as possible and rest and arrange urgent removal to hospital.
RECOGNITION

· Persistent central chest pain - often described as a heavy pressure crushing or vice like pain.
· The pain often spreads (radiates) to the jaw, neck and down one or both arms
· Breathlessness.
· Discomfort high in the abdomen similar to indigestion.
· There could be collapse without warning.
· Ashen skin and blueness at the lips.
· Rapid, weak pulse, which may be irregular.
· Profuse sweating, skin cold to the touch.
· Gasping for air (air hunger).
· Nausea and/or vomiting.
TREATMENT

Your aim is to make the casualty as comfortable as possible and arrange urgent removal to hospital.
· Sit the casualty down in the ‘W’ position: Semi-recumbent (sitting up at about 75° to the ground) with knees bent.
· Dial 999 or 112 for the ambulance.
If the casualty is fully conscious:
· Give him or her a 300mg aspirin tablet to chew slowly provided there are no reasons not to give the aspirin and provided the patient is not under 16 years of age.
· If the casualty has any medication for angina, such as tablet or spray, then assist them to take it.
· Constantly monitor and record the vital signs, breathing and pulse rate etc, until help arrives.
If the casualty becomes unconscious:you need to open the airway and check breathing and be prepared to start CPR if necessary,