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As with the care and treatment of all patients we encounter, we must ensure that the scene is safe for ourselves, co-workers, the patient and the bystanders. Once we can ensure that the scene is safe, we need to ensure the subject has been decontaminated enough so that he/she can be treated and the evaluation can be completed. This usually entails THE removal of the subject"s clothing and a decontaminating rinse. More on decontamination will be discussed later.
Once decontamination has been completed it is time to complete a primary and secondary survey. By doing so, it can be determined that there are no life threatening emergencies involving airway, breathing or circulation that need immediate attention. |