"The ABCs of Safety." Carbon monoxide. Symptoms. First aid

Symptoms of poisoning:

• The main symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is loss of consciousness;
• mild poisoning is accompanied by tinnitus, pulsation of the large arteries, headache, thirst, general anxiety, and a feeling of fear;
• with a moderate degree of poisoning, a person first loses consciousness, which returns immediately if the victim is taken out into the fresh air.
  Characteristic signs of moderate poisoning are redness of the face, inadequate behaviour, and an increase in body temperature to 38-40°C;
• in case of severe poisoning, a person loses consciousness for a long time, and respiratory distress occurs.
  The characteristic signs of severe poisoning are shallow breathing, sometimes its complete cessation, and involuntary bowel movements and bladder emptying. The skin becomes cyanotic.

First aid:

1. In case of carbon monoxide poisoning, the victim should be taken into the fresh air immediately;
2. apply a cotton swab with ammonia to the nose;
3. ensure free access of air to the lungs;
4. unbutton clothing that obstructs breathing;
5. if necessary, perform artificial respiration.