·   Don’t   touch, walk, or drive through the spilled materials, since these will increase the area of the spill. ·   Don’t eat, drink, or smoke at the site; don’t touch your face, nose, mouth, or eyes.   (These are all direct routes of entry into your body.) ·   Eliminate any possible source of ignition (e.g., flares,   flames,   sparks,   smoking,   flashes, flashlights, engines, portable radios). ·   Notify your dispatcher and give your location. Request   the   assistance   of   the   HAZMAT response team. ·   If possible, identify the hazardous material and report it to the dispatcher. ·   Observe  all  safety  precautions  and  directions given  by  the  on-site  HAZMAT  expert. All orders should be given and received face to face. ·   Stay  clear  of  restricted  areas  until  the  on-site HAZMAT expert declares them to be safe. Rescue from Exclusion Zone (Hot Zone) The  most  dangerous  element  of  any  HAZMAT incident—both   to   the   exposed   victims   and   the rescuers—is  the  rescue  from  the  hot  zone.     Rescue operations   should   always   be   performed   using appropriate  protective  equipment  (PPE). You  must never  enter  the   area   unless   you   have   been appropriately  trained  to  do  so. Let  the  experts handle  this  aspect  of  the  rescue,  but  be  prepared  to provide supportive care once the victim is clear of the contaminated area. As soon as the patient has been removed to safety, you  should  follow  normal  primary  and  secondary survey procedures, including interviews of the patient and bystanders.  Observe the patient and provide basic life  support.    Give  the  patient  supplemental  oxygen, and monitor vital signs closely. Patient Decontamination Procedures Decontamination  is  the  process  of  removing  or neutralizing  and  properly  disposing  of  contaminants that have accumulated on personnel and equipment. Decontamination   protects   site   personnel   by minimizing  the  transfer  of  contaminants,  helps  to prevent  the  mixing  of  incompatible  chemicals,  and protects  the  community  by  preventing  uncontrolled transportation  of  contaminants  from  the  site. All personnel,  clothing,  and  equipment  that  leave  the contamination   area   (exclusion   zone)   must   be decontaminated to remove any harmful chemicals that may  have  adhered  to  them.    Some  decontamination methods include those listed below. ·   Dilution:    the  flushing  of  the  contaminated person or equipment with water. ·   Absorption:   the   use   of   special   filters   and chemicals to absorb the hazardous material. ·   Chemical  washes:  specific  chemicals  used  to neutralize the hazardous material. ·   Disposal and isolation: the proper disposal of contaminated materials instead of attempting to decontaminate them. Dilution is the most frequently appropriate method of decontamination. Decontamination   requires   the   use   of   PPE, although the level of protection required may be less once the victim is out of the hot zone.  A victim who is e x p o s e d    t o    a    g a s    m a y    n o t    r e q u i r e    a c t u a l “decontamination”   after   rescue   and   only   require cessation  of  exposure  and  an  opportunity  to  breathe fresh air.  However, if a victim is soaked with a liquid, the HAZMAT may pose an ongoing risk to the victim and   to   the   rescuers   or   medical   personnel. IT  IS IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS ASSUME THAT THE VICTIM  HAS  BEEN  CONTAMINATED  WITH SOMETHING THAT COULD HARM YOU AND OTHERS UNTIL DETERMINED OTHERWISE. Do  not  be  foolish  or  bold  and  presume  that  you  or others will not be exposed and harmed! Once the victim is medically evaluated, carefully remove any solid material that remains on the patient’s clothing.   Be alert not to get any on yourself.   If the material   is   dry,   immediately   remove   the   victim’s clothing while avoiding or minimizing contact with the HAZMAT or loss of the HAZMAT from the clothing. Unless specifically contraindicated by the hazardous nature of the HAZMAT and directed by the incident commander or the supporting medical advisor, flush the patient’s skin, clothing, and eyes with water. To the maximum extent possible, control or retain the runoff (which is contaminated) which will be containerized for   proper   disposal. Remove   all   of   the   victim’s clothing,  shoes,  and  jewelry.    Place  everything  that may   have   contacted   the   HAZMAT   in   a   special container. Mark   the   container   as   contaminated. Continue flushing the skin with water for at least 20 5-25