Most of the fatalities in fires are due to smoke inhalation rather than burns. Smoke spreads easily, leading to disorientation and visibility issues, making it harder for victims to escape.
Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) produced during a fire can easily cause asphyxiation. It’s vital to cover the nose and mouth with a wet cloth, move affected individuals to a well-ventilated area, and perform artificial respiration if necessary.
Many toxic gases are generated in fire smoke, such as CO, CO2, ammonia, and organic acids. Among these, CO and CO2 are the primary causes of death. In numerous fire incidents, victims die from gas poisoning leading to respiratory failure.
Scene of the fire at the workers’ camp of the Madarin project on Tan Mai Street (Hanoi) on September 18. (Photo: Facebook).
According to the first aid handbook from Bach Mai Hospital, the toxic gases produced by fires are extremely dangerous:
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless gas that is lighter than air and highly toxic to the respiratory and circulatory systems. Inhaling CO prevents blood from absorbing oxygen, leading to nervous system paralysis.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A colorless, odorless gas that is heavier than air and can cause suffocation when inhaled. A concentration of CO2 of 3% begins to cause breathing difficulties, while 8% to 10% can lead to unconsciousness or death.
- Combustion products containing chlorine and chlorine compounds (such as HCl) are very toxic to the lungs.
- Combustion products containing sulfur and sulfur compounds (H2S, SO2, etc.) are toxic to the mucous membranes, mouth, and digestive tract.
First Aid for CO and CO2 Poisoning
Firefighters extinguishing a large house fire.
- Quickly open doors to improve ventilation, evacuate the victim from the contaminated area as quickly as possible, and ensure the safety of the rescuer.
- If the victim is breathing weakly or has stopped breathing: Administer rescue breaths immediately using mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose techniques.
- If the victim is unconscious, place them in a safe recovery position on their side.
- Quickly call for support or emergency services at 115.
The Hanoi Fire Department also provides guidance for escaping during a fire as follows:
- To avoid inhaling toxic smoke, use a wet cloth to cover your mouth and nose to filter the air while breathing. Smoke masks can also be used if available.
- To escape a fire, in addition to using a wet cloth to cover your mouth and nose, victims should use a wet blanket to cover their entire body and quickly run through the flames to safety, avoiding burning clothes that can cause skin burns.
