Call 911 if:
- You are sure the person was exposed to cyanide.
If you are not sure it is cyanide, call Poison Control at 800-222-1222.
Treat the person as follows, depending on whether cyanide was inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin:
1. Treat Inhalation or Ingestion
- Get the person to fresh air immediately.
- If you can't get away from the area where cyanide gas is, stay low to the ground.
- If the person has difficulty breathing or has stopped breathing, do hands-only CPR:
- For a child, start CPR for children.
- For an adult, start adult CPR.
- Do not do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
2. Treat Skin Exposure
Avoid touching a person whose skin has been exposed to cyanide; only emergency personnel with special protective clothing should have direct contact with the victim, as secondary contamination is possible.
3. Treat Eye Exposure
- Remove the person's contact lenses or glasses.
- Immediately irrigate eyes with plain water for at least 10 minutes.
- Put contact lenses in a plastic bag for emergency personnel to dispose of.
- Glasses may be used after washing with soap and water.
4. Follow Up
- At the hospital, the person will be treated with antidotes and oxygen.