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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Corrosive acid has spilled or splashed — it can burn skin, eyes, and lungs on contact or from fumes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Burning pain, redness, or white/yellow damaged skin where contact occurred.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Smoking or bubbling liquid with sharp irritating smell.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Containers labeled sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, or battery acid nearby.
Scene hazards: Corrosive burns, Toxic fumes, Reactive with metals, Eye damage
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move the exposed person upwind and away from the spill source.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Start flushing affected skin or eyes with running water — do not wait for help to begin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If eyes are affected, hold eyelids open gently while water runs across the eye.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Continue flushing for at least 15 minutes — acids keep burning until removed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cut away contaminated clothing if safe — do not pull shirts over the head if face is affected.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep others upwind and prevent anyone from walking through the spill.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 — report acid type if known and whether eyes or large skin area are involved.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Acid spill / acid burn. Flushing with water. Need hazmat and ambulance."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Give location, acid name from label if visible, and number of exposed people.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow instructions — they may tell you to keep flushing until paramedics arrive.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Acid in the eyes or on large body areas is always an emergency even after flushing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hospital may need to continue decontamination and treat internal airway burns from fumes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT neutralize acid on skin with baking soda or lime — flushing with water is correct.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT rub eyes or skin — it spreads the acid.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT inhale fumes to "check" what it is — move upwind instead.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Neutralizing acid on skin with baking soda stops the burn faster
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Chemical neutralization on injured tissue can cause extra heat and damage. Large amounts of running water are the standard first step.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Secondary chemical burns and delayed proper flushing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Acids destroy tissue on contact and release irritating or toxic fumes, especially in enclosed spaces.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Heat may be generated when acid mixes with water or certain materials — fumes can worsen suddenly.