1. Get Away From Sarin
Sarin is a nerve agent originally developed by the Nazis. It can be inhaled as a gas, mixed with water as a poison or exposed to the skin or eyes. The most important first step is to get clear of the sarin and keep the victim from further exposure. Get outside to clean air, or if the sarin poisoning occurred at an outdoor site, get far away from it. Move upwind if possible, so that the gas will blow away from you. Remove any clothes, which may contain sarin, and seal them in plastic bags to keep the poison from spreading. Wash the victim's skin with lots of soap and water. If you are treating someone who has been poisoned by sarin, be sure to wear protective clothing to keep from being contaminated. If sarin has gotten into the victim's eyes, wash them gently with clean lukewarm water or a solution of sodium chloride. Keep the water at a constant stream for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Keep Victim's Airways Clear
It is vital to keep the victim breathing after he has been poisoned. Give him oxygen if you have access to it and keep his mouth clear of any fluids so that he doesn't choke. A hospital can provide further care to ensure that the victim is getting the air he needs.
3. Administer Antidotes
Nerve agents like sarin can be treated by atropine or pralidoxime chloride. Usually, they should be administered by a doctor, but they can be delivered by auto-injector in emergency cases. It is very important to track how many times the antidote has been administered and in what amounts. Hospital staff will need that information before they can continue treatment safely.
4. Use Activated Charcoal or Gastric Lavage
If the victim has swallowed sarin, you shouldn't induce vomiting. This will make things worse. If he is conscious and can take medicine, administer activated charcoal mixed with water. The charcoal will bond to the poison, allowing the body to remove it in the urine or feces. A doctor may also decide to administer gastric lavage, which involves sliding a tube into the stomach through the nose and rinsing the gastrointestinal tract clean before suctioning the poison out. Only qualified medical personnel should administer gastric lavage.
