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First aid measures

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The aim is to terminate exposure and support vital functions whilst medical help is being sought:

  • protective clothing and breathing apparatus should be worn if hydrogen cyanide or liquid cyanide are involved

  • if the patient is unconscious, establish an airway and give 100 % oxygen - if this is unavailable, employ expired air resuscitation; use of a Laerdal pocket mask is preferred to mouth to mouth contact if cyanide salts have been ingested

  • remove all contaminated clothing

  • wash skin thoroughly with soap and water

  • give amyl nitrite by inhalation:
    • preferably, give 0.2 - 0.4 ml amyl nitrite via an Ambu bag; alternatively,
    • break one ampoule of amyl nitrite onto a cloth and hold under the patient's nose for 30 seconds in every minute - use a new ampoule every 3 minutes to a maximum of 6

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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