8. Carbon Monoxide/Inhalation/HAZMAT/CBRN - OBCD

Question 1

Difficulty Speaking Between Breaths

Answer 1

Described as:
* Unable to complete a full sentence w/o taking a breath
* Only able to speak a few words w/o taking a breath
* Breathing attempts that severely hinder crying in infants and small children

Question 2

HAZMAT/CBRN Determinant Suffixes

Answer 2

C: Chemical
B: Biological
R: Radiological
N: Nuclear
G: Smell of gas/fumes
M: Carbon Monoxide
S: Suicide attempt (only carbon monoxide)
T: Suicide attempt (other toxic substances)
U: Unknown

Question 3

HAZMAT

Answer 3

An incident involving gas, liquid, or other material that, in any quantity, poses a threat to life, health or property

Question 4

Rule 1

Answer 4

All hazardous exposures and inhalations are considered high-level emergencies until proven otherwise

Question 5

Rule 2

Answer 5

The caller should be advised not to enter or re-enter a hazardous or dangerous environment

Question 6

Rule 3

Answer 6

Recreational inhalations of potentially harmful substances should be handled on Protocol 23

Question 7

Rule 4

Answer 7

If the complaint description involves hazardous materials (toxic substances) that pose a threat to bystanders or responders, go to Protocol 8

Question 8

Axiom 1

Answer 8

Patients who have inhaled smoke, carbon monoxide, or other chemicals may be found in any stage of intoxication. Carbon monoxide binds very tightly to hemoglobin and can lead to an urgent situation.

Question 9

Axiom 2

Answer 9

Unconsciousness in a patient who has inhaled carbon monoxide is a bad sign. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment may be necessary to prevent death or brain damage.

Question 10

EMD’s First Law of Safety

Answer 10

Don’t create more victims at the scene

Question 11

EMD’s Second Law of Safety

Answer 11

Don’t get it on you or even touch it

Question 12

EMD’s Third Law of Safety

Answer 12

One patient down, trouble around?
Two patients down, coincidence found?
Three patients down, danger abounds!

Question 13

Chemical Suicide

Answer 13

Suicide by inhaling poisonous vapors that can be created from a mixture of household chemicals. AKA Detergent Suicide. Patients enclose themselves in a small room or vehicle, then mix two or more household chemicals to produce a toxic gas. Often, patients will tape window and door seams shut and post warning notes to prevent harm to others, such as “Danger”, “Toxic Gas”, or “Call 911”. The immediate area also frequently smells of rotten eggs or sulfur, but Emergency Dispatchers should not rely on this indicator alone as a warning signal.