Protective Clothing
Medical
FF/E/P Tim Baughman models EMS, or medical protective clothing. Firefighters must
take "universal precautions" when dealing with patients to protect themselves, assuming that every patient
is contagious whether they actually are or not.
| 1
| Safety glasses. These glasses, or a face shield, protect the eyes against splashing. Safety glasses
are mandatory on all EMS calls.
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| 2
| HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) mask. This mask is optional, and is usually worn only when a patient
has a contagious airborne disease such as Tuberculosis, Measles, Chicken Pox, etc.
|
| 3
| Latex gloves. Gloves are mandatory on all EMS calls. Protective sleeves, covering the arms from wrist to
elbow, are also available if a firefighter has open cuts on his or her arms.
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Some departments also issue bibs, gowns or coveralls to protect the entire body, but this isn't considered necessary here.
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