1 Scene Safety and Hazard Recognition Free Online FlashCards

Why assess scene safety before approaching a patient?

Scene safety protects rescuers, patients, and bystanders. An injured or exposed rescuer may be unable to help and may create another emergency.

Why must you keep reassessing scene conditions?

Keep watching for hazards throughout the response because scene conditions can change.

How should you begin assessing a scene as you approach?

Pause at a safe distance, look and listen, and gather information from dispatch, witnesses, and other responders.

What traffic and vehicle hazards should you scan for?

Look for moving traffic, poor visibility, unstable vehicles, fuel leaks, and collision damage.

Which fire and utility hazards may make a scene unsafe?

Watch for smoke, flames, hot surfaces, downed power lines, exposed wiring, and leaking gas.

What clues may indicate hazardous substances?

Spills, fumes, powders, containers with warning labels, and unknown materials may signal hazardous substances.

How should you identify an unknown substance at a scene?

Never approach an unknown substance to identify it by touching or smelling it.

What signs may indicate violence or a security hazard?

Weapons, threats, fighting, unsafe crowds, and an uncontrolled scene are security hazards.

Which environmental or structural dangers should you recognize?

Examples include unstable buildings, falling debris, water, ice, steep ground, extreme temperatures, and poor lighting.

What are examples of exposure hazards?

Blood, body fluids, airborne particles, and contaminated objects can create exposure risks.

How should you select personal protective equipment?

Choose PPE according to hazards you can reasonably anticipate and your agency’s procedures. Options may include gloves, eye protection, a mask or respirator, protective clothing, or high-visibility apparel.

What can PPE not do?

PPE reduces exposure but does not remove the hazard or make every scene safe.