Before inducing vomiting for a victim of oral pesticide exposure, what should you do?

• A. Induce vomiting immediately
• B. Give the victim at least 2 glasses of water to dilute the product
• C. Give milk to neutralize it
• D. Do nothing until symptoms appear

Answer: (B)

Before taking any action to remove a pesticide from the stomach, the first step is to dilute what’s been ingested. Giving the victim at least two glasses of water helps lower the concentration of the chemical in the stomach, which can reduce irritation and slow absorption, potentially limiting damage. Inducing vomiting is not advised as the next step because it can cause the poison to be aspirated into the lungs or worsen injuries if the product is caustic or a petroleum distillate. Milk isn’t a reliable neutralizer and can interact with some pesticides in harmful ways. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear; seek guidance from poison control or emergency services and follow their instructions, while keeping the person safe and responsive and not giving anything by mouth if they’re unable to swallow or are unconscious.