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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person has been exposed to chemicals on skin, hair, or clothing and needs immediate decontamination before help arrives.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Visible liquid, powder, or smell on clothing or skin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Burning, itching, redness, or blistering where contact occurred.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person was near a spill, leak, or spray without protective equipment.
Scene hazards: Secondary contamination, Chemical burns worsening, Responder exposure, Hypothermia from prolonged flushing
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lead or carry the person upwind — avoid touching the contaminated side of clothing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Start removing outer layers immediately — gloves or plastic bags on hands if available.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Begin flushing affected areas with any available running water right away.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Flush skin and hair for at least 15 minutes — use shower, hose, or tap.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — For eyes — tilt head so water runs from inner corner outward; flush 15 minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Bag removed clothing inside-out without touching the wet contaminated surface.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the person warm after flushing — wrap in clean blanket away from contamination.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 — substance name if known, areas exposed, and flushing already done.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Chemical exposure. Decontamination with water in progress."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Give chemical name from label, body areas affected, and breathing status.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow instructions — ambulance may need to meet you upwind of the scene.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Eye exposure, large skin burns, or inhalation always need hospital care after flushing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Medical teams may continue decontamination and give specific antidotes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use bleach, vinegar, or baking soda on chemical burns unless experts instruct.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT scrub aggressively — it drives chemicals deeper into skin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT let contaminated clothing touch bare skin or car seats — bag and isolate it.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wiping chemicals off with a dry cloth is enough before washing
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Dry wiping spreads and concentrates chemical on skin. Remove clothing and flush with large amounts of water.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Continued tissue damage while waiting to find "better" cleanup methods.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Chemicals continue damaging tissue until removed. Clothing holds concentrate against skin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You can reduce harm significantly with fast removal and water flushing before paramedics arrive.