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First aid

Poisoning

Emergency call 144. In case of unconsciousness, respiratory arrest or life-threatening bleeding, immediately alert the medical emergency control centre and follow its instructions.

In cases of poisoning by medicines, cleaning agents, plants or mushrooms, the most important point of contact is Tox Info Suisse on 145 – around the clock, free of charge. Wrong immediate measures such as inducing vomiting or giving milk can increase the harm.

Immediately

  1. If the person is unconscious, has breathing difficulty or has stopped breathing, call 144 first
  2. Otherwise call Tox Info Suisse on 145 – around the clock; from abroad +41 44 251 51 51
  3. Have ready: who (age, weight), what (product, label), how (swallowed, inhaled, skin, eyes), how much, when, what symptoms, call-back number
  4. Keep or photograph the packaging, plant or mushroom remains

Swallowed – person is awake

  1. Rinse the mouth, do not induce vomiting
  2. Non-foaming substances: have the person drink 1–2 dl (100–200 ml) of clear, fat-free liquid as quickly as possible, for example water, tea or diluted syrup (Tox Info Suisse)
  3. Foaming substances such as washing-up liquid, shampoo or laundry detergent: have the person drink only 1 sip (Tox Info Suisse)

What you should NOT do

  1. Do not induce vomiting unless the specialist centre expressly tells you to
  2. Do not give milk – it can speed up the absorption of some poisons
  3. No home remedies and no salt water – in young children, salt water can cause life-threatening salt poisoning
  4. Do not give unconscious or dazed people anything to drink
  5. Activated charcoal only on medical prescription or after consulting Tox Info Suisse
Caution: Do not induce vomiting unless the specialist centre expressly tells you to. Do not give milk (it can speed up the absorption of some poisons). No home remedies, no salt water. Do not give an unconscious person anything to drink.

In case of irritant gas/smoke or skin contact

  1. Get those affected out of the danger area (self-protection! In enclosed spaces, silos and pits the helper is in danger too)
  2. Skin: remove wet clothing immediately, rinse the skin thoroughly under running, lukewarm water
  3. Eyes: remove contact lenses, rinse immediately for 10–15 minutes with lukewarm water, holding the eyelids open (Tox Info Suisse)

Further sources

This content is for information only and does not replace first-aid training. We recommend a recognised first-aid or BLS-AED course.