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What immediate Treatment will require if a person mildly exposed to the H2S gas?
1. Rescuers Protection:
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an extremely rapidly acting highly toxic gas. Fatalities have occurred to rescuers entering the hot zone. If exposure levels are determined to be safe, decontamination may be conducted by personnel wearing a lower level of protection than that worn in the Hot Zone.
2. Pre-Hospital Management for Victims:
Victims exposed only to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas do not pose substantial risks of secondary contamination to personnel outside the Hot Zone. However, personnel could be secondarily contaminated by contacting or breathing vapors from clothing heavily soaked with hydrogen sulfide-containing solution. Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas that can produce extremely rapid CNS and respiratory depression. It is also an irritant affecting the skin and mucous membranes. There is no proven antidote for hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Treatment generally consists of support for respiratory and cardiovascular functions.
Victims who are able may assist with their own decontamination. Remove and double-bag contaminated clothing. Handle frostbitten skin and eyes with caution. Wrap the affected part gently in blankets. Let the circulation reestablish itself naturally. Encourage the victim to exercise the affected part while it is being warmed. Flush exposed skin and hair with water for3 to5 minutes. Use caution to avoid hypothermia when decontaminating children or the elderly. Use blankets or warmers when appropriate.
Do not irrigate frostbitten eyes. Otherwise, irrigate exposed or irritated eyes with plain water or saline for at least5 minutes. Eye irrigation may be carried out simultaneously with other basic care and transport. Remove contact lenses if easily removable without additional trauma to the eye. If a corrosive material is suspected or if pain or injury is evident, continue irrigation while transferring the victim to the support zone.
Consider appropriate management of chemically contaminated children, such as measures to reduce separation anxiety if a child is separated from a parent or other adult. If possible, seek assistance from a child separation expert. Transfer to Support Zone as soon as basic decontamination is complete, move the victim to the Support Zone. Only decontaminated patients or patients not requiring decontamination should be transported to a medical facility.