Responding to Terrorist Acts: Chemical Weapons

Course overview

ChatGPT said: This 3 hour course prepares EMS providers to recognize, protect against, and manage patients exposed to chemical weapons. Learners review agent classes (nerve, blistering, choking, blood or asphyxiant, incapacitating, vomiting), delivery and environmental factors, and key toxidromes (including SLUDGEM and DUMBELS). The course covers OSHA protection levels, PPE selection, hot warm cold zones, gross and technical decontamination, airway and ventilation priorities, and antidote concepts such as atropine, pralidoxime, and cyanide kits. Emphasis is on rapid scene size up, responder safety, evidence based treatment, and coordinated operations with HazMat and law enforcement.