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If someone needs immediate help with volcanic gas, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sulphur smell, stinging eyes, or breathing difficulty near active volcano, crater, or gas vent.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Move upwind away from smell. Damp cloth on face. Follow evacuation orders.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rotten egg smell, stinging eyes, difficulty breathing, official gas alert.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Dead animals in low area — warning sign.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Volcanic gases (SO2, CO2) are heavier than air and collect in valleys.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Can kill rapidly in craters and low drainage paths.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move to higher ground upwind immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help others leave low paths and craters.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay indoors seal windows if told to shelter-in-place — depends on official guidance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rinse eyes with clean water if burning.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Evacuate on official orders. Gas monitoring is authority role.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — 112 and volcano observatory numbers.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Report location and symptoms for H2S or SO2 exposure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hospital for respiratory distress after gas exposure.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT enter crater for tourism when gas alert active.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT drive through visible gas cloud.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If you cannot see gas it is safe to breathe
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Many volcanic gases are invisible. Sulphur smell and official instruments detect danger first.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Collapse in CO2 pocket in volcanic depression.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Aftershock
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The ground shakes again after the main earthquake.
Avalanche warning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Avalanche danger is high on slopes where you are traveling or living.
Buried in avalanche
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You or someone nearby is buried in avalanche snow.
Compound disaster
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Multiple disasters overlap — e.g. earthquake and tsunami, cyclone and flood.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Long-term monitoring for ash and gas returns.