ACTION TO TAKE ON THE SITE OF THE EVENT In the VAA: decontaminating the relative urgencies 25 SHEET • Protect wounds with a waterproof dressing. • Protect or move away items that are not water resistant (remove them if possible). • Decontaminate the patients with soapy water, using a showerhead if necessary for victims in the lying position. Shaving is contraindicated because it causes micro-lesions of the skin. Circumstance and means permitting, it is recommended to conduct an additional radiation detection check. After drying, check the decontaminated zones carefully with a detection probe that is appropriate for the type of radiation emitted by the contaminant. Detecting alpha radiation is a very difficult and long process. The short path of alpha radiation requires the surface to be absolutely dry. Alpha emitters also emit X-rays or gamma rays whose detection is always easier and surer. • If the check is positive: carry out decontamination (step 3) a second time. • If the second check is positive: the contamination is considered to be fixed and there is no risk of contamination transfer. SEE SHEET 32 Full decontamination (non-aggressive showering) Drying at the shower exit and radiation detection check 3 4 MEDICAL RESPONSE IN NUCLEAR OR RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY 79
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