Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Treatment

Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on November 02, 2021
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
1 min read
  • Move the person away from carbon monoxide area.
  • If the person is unconscious, check for injuries before moving.
  • Turn off carbon monoxide source if you can do so safely.

If the person is unresponsive, not breathing, or not breathing normally:

  • Perform CPR for one minute before calling 911 if you are alone. Otherwise, have someone else call and begin CPR.
  • For a child, start CPR for children.
  • Continue CPR until the person begins breathing or emergency help arrives.

Once at the hospital, the person is treated with 100% oxygen. Depending on the severity of the carbon monoxide exposure, oxygen is delivered in different ways.

  • Mild poisoning is treated with oxygen delivered by a mask.

  • Severe carbon monoxide poisoning may require placing the person in a full body, high pressure chamber to help force oxygen into the body.