You arrive at a factory to discover a large chlorine spill that is uncontained, and several people complain of difficulty breathing. What should you do first?

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Multiple Choice

You arrive at a factory to discover a large chlorine spill that is uncontained, and several people complain of difficulty breathing. What should you do first?

Immediate action in a hazardous-material incident is to protect yourself first. Chlorine gas irritates the eyes, throat, and lungs, and you can’t safely help others if you become a victim yourself. The best first step is to move back to the ambulance to put distance between yourself and the release, secure a safe air supply, and start coordinating a response. From that safe position, you can don the proper PPE and await HazMat control before re-entering. Approaching from the upwind side without protection or entering the scene unprotected would put you at serious risk, and staying on scene without ensuring safety or calling for help delays care for victims.

Immediate action in a hazardous-material incident is to protect yourself first. Chlorine gas irritates the eyes, throat, and lungs, and you can’t safely help others if you become a victim yourself. The best first step is to move back to the ambulance to put distance between yourself and the release, secure a safe air supply, and start coordinating a response. From that safe position, you can don the proper PPE and await HazMat control before re-entering. Approaching from the upwind side without protection or entering the scene unprotected would put you at serious risk, and staying on scene without ensuring safety or calling for help delays care for victims.

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