Author:
Louise Ward
Date Of Creation:
4 February 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Occasionally, someone accidentally swallows some gasoline while trying to smoke. This is an unpleasant and potentially dangerous incident, but if handled properly, the person may not need to go to the hospital. However, it is extremely dangerous to swallow larger amounts of gasoline. An amount of gasoline about 30 ml can cause poisoning in an adult, and less than 15 ml of gasoline can be fatal in a child. Extreme care must be taken when helping someone who swallows gasoline, and never stimulated vomiting. If in doubt or concern, call the Poison Control Center or emergency service right away.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Helping People Who Swallow Small Amount of Gasoline
Stay with the victim and help him stay calm. Reassure them that many people also swallow small amounts of gasoline and are usually not a problem. Encourage the person to breathe deeply, calmly, and relax.
Are not Encourage the victim to try to vomit gasoline. A small amount of gasoline in the stomach will not cause much harm, but just a few drops of gasoline will cause serious breathing problems if inhaled. Vomiting increases the victim's risk of inhaling gasoline into the lungs and should be avoided.- If the person suddenly vomits, help them lean forward to avoid inhaling. Help them use mouthwash, and immediately call the Poison Control and Emergency Services Center.
Have casualty drink water or juice after rinsing mouth with water. Have them drink slowly to avoid coughing or choking. If victim is unconscious or unable to drink by himself, you don't try to fill the victim with water, and call emergency services immediately.- Do not give milk to victim without guidance from the Poison Control Center, as it can cause the body to absorb gasoline faster.
- Carbonate drinks should also be avoided, as these will cause more heartburn.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours.
Contact a poison control center and relate the situation. In the US, the phone number is 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has a serious medical condition, including coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, or any other serious signs, call emergency services right away. In Vietnam, the emergency number is 115.
Help the victim wash off gasoline from the skin. The victim needs to remove all gasoline-stained clothing. Rinse the affected area with plain water for 2-3 minutes, then rinse with mild soap. Rinse the water thoroughly and dry.
Make sure the victim does not smoke for at least 72 hours, and do not smoke around the victim. Gasoline and gas fumes are extremely flammable, and smoking can cause a fire. Tobacco smoke can also worsen gasoline-induced lung damage.
Reassure the victim that burping up gas vapors is normal. This can go on for at least 24 hours to several days. Drinking extra fluids may help the victim feel more comfortable and the gasoline will be eliminated from the body more quickly.
- If the victim starts to feel discomfort at any point, take them to the doctor for a closer examination.
Wash clothes with gasoline. Gasoline-stained clothing has a high risk of burning, and should be left to dry for at least 24 hours to allow the gas vapor to evaporate before washing. Wash gasoline-stained clothing separately in hot water. A little ammonia or baking soda added to the laundry detergent can help remove gasoline. Air dry to see if any gasoline is gone and rinse if necessary.
- Do not put clothes that still smell of gasoline in the clothes dryer; It could burn!
Part 2 of 2: Helping Someone Who Swallow Large Gasoline
Separate victim from gasoline. The first priority is to make sure the victim does not swallow any more gasoline. If casualty is unconscious, proceed with step 3 immediately.
Remember that if a child swallows gasoline, more or less it is dangerous. If you suspect that your child is swallowing gasoline but do not know how much gas the child is swallowing, treat it like an emergency and call emergency services right away.
Call emergency services. Retell the situation in as much detail as possible. If the victim is a child, make it clear that you are asking for emergency help.
Keep a close eye on the victim's condition. If the victim is awake, reassure them that an ambulance is coming, and discourage them from vomiting. Offer water if the victim is able to drink it, and help them remove gasoline-stained clothing and wash off gasoline.
- If the person vomits, help the person lean forward or turn his head to the side to prevent choking or inhalation.
If the victim stops breathing, stops coughing, stops moving or is unresponsive, get CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) right away. Lay casualty on his back and begin chest compressions. For each press, push the center of the victim's chest down to about 5 cm or 1/3 to 1/2 thickness of the chest. Quickly press 30 times at a rate of about 100 times per minute. Then tilt the victim's head back and lift their chin. Squeeze the victim's nose and blow into his or her mouth until the victim's chest protrudes. Blow 2 breaths, each about 1 second long, then continue to press your chest.
- Repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two breaths until the victim recovers or emergencies arrive.
- If you are calling for emergency services, the operator will guide you through the CPR procedure.
- The Red Cross now recommends that CPR be performed on children in the same way as adults, except for infants and young children, a chest compressive depth of 3.8 cm. instead of 5 cm.
Warning
- Are not induce vomiting in people who swallow gasoline. Vomiting can lead to more serious injury.
- Always Keep gasoline in a clearly labeled and safe container, out of reach of children.
- Never Store gasoline in drink bottles, such as old water bottles.
- Never knowingly drinking gasoline for any reason.
- Are not use your mouth to smoke gas. Use a gas pump or air pressure to start the suction tube.
Advice
- The steps above are applicable to liquids like gasoline, oil, benzene or benz.
