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