Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic, odorless and colorless gas, popularly known as carbon monoxide, formed when coal and organic matter burn without sufficient airflow.
Carbon monoxide is released into the air in blast-furnace, open-hearth, foundry and many other industries, during transport, etc. The maximum allowable concentration is 20 mg of CO per 1 m33 of air.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:
• headache;
• impaired color perception;
• nausea, vomiting;
• CNS disorders are manifested by trembling, loss of consciousness, convulsions, coma;
• cyanosis of the face and mucous membranes;
• heart failure;
• disorder of the functions of the kidneys and endocrine glands;
• respiratory distress;
• usually hyperthermia (38-40°).
With a long and frequent stay undercarbon monoxide factors, there is a possibility of developing chronic poisoning, which is characterized by:
• dizziness;
• headaches;
• mental and autonomic disorders;
• arrhythmia, tachycardia, hypotension.
There are also possible consequences, which are often associated with a violation of mental and nervous activity. If a person inhales carbon monoxide in high concentrations for a long time, it has a toxic effect on his body, which contributes to the rather rapid development of oxygen starvation.
First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning:
• it is necessary to take the victim to fresh air. At the same time, do not forget about your safety. In the absence of a gas mask or respirator, use a damp, dense cloth that you put on your face - this will reduce the entry of toxic gases into the respiratory tract;
• Lay the person horizontally, free them from tight clothing;
• if the victim loses consciousness, apply cotton wool with ammonia to the nose;
• call an ambulance immediately.
First aid for mild carbon monoxide poisoning:
- rub the chest, if possible, put heating pads on the legs, mustard plasters on the back and chest. Wrap in a blanket or blanket;
- recommended hot drink (coffee, tea).
First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning should be provided immediately, even before arrivaldoctors, including resuscitation should be carried out if the victim has no signs of life.
CPR
• free the mouth from mucus, saliva, vomit;
• try to achieve maximum airway patency (tilt back the victim's head and try to push his lower jaw so that the chin takes a more elevated position);
• if the jaws are clenched very tightly, then open the mouth by pushing the lower jaw forward by pressing on its corners with the index fingers;
• close the victim's nose, covering the mouth with gauze or a handkerchief, exhale. Then slightly open the victim's mouth and nose (passive exhalation). At this time, take your head away and take 1-2 breaths;
• 12-18 breaths are taken in 1 minute.
First aid for gas poisoning in the form of an indirect heart massage, provided in the first minutes after stopping his activity (albeit not a very experienced person), often brings much more success than all the manipulations of a professional resuscitator done later by 5– 6 min:
• place your hands (palm on palm) on the lower third of your sternum;
• With quick pushes, press on the sternum, after each take away your hands. Offset should be up to 4-5 cm;
• Up to 60 compressions should be done in 1 minute. When providing an indirect heart massage, in parallel with artificial respiration by 2 persons, 4–5 pushes are made for one breath.
When doing thesethe same actions by 1 person after 8-10 massage shocks take 2 breaths. Control of independent activity of the heart is carried out every minute.
Timely first aid for carbon monoxide poisoning can save the life of the victim.
