BY DAVID F. PETERSON
Haz-mat response is dangerous, especially for the personnel who don the Level A all-encapsulating response suits and enter and work in the hot zones. In addition to the hazards at the scene such as flammability, corrosivity, and toxicity, there are other hazards such as decreased vision and the risks of falls, slips, and trips. On top of all of this, the wearers of chemical suits face other difficulties that can increase their risk of injury, especially if they do not know how to correct the problems. You should know and practice in-suit survival techniques because these trouble-shooting actions may save your life.
In-suit emergencies are rare, but they can occur. Should you encounter such an emergency, being able to recognize the potential types of problems and how to appropriately respond to them will help you to remain calm, control air consumption, think clearly, be creative in problem solving, and stay alive.
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