Person Down in Auto/New way to commit suicide

[codeblue603]

I rec this e mail have not hear about it but though you all should know, be safe out on the streets.

paul

Person Down in Auto/New way to commit suicide

Recently a new way to commit suicide has been discovered by
mixing two chemicals that can be bought over the counter at local
stores. They are Bonide - a sulfur spray used as an insecticide for
fruit trees and hydrochloric (muriatic) acid. Once mixed, the chemicals
produce heat and a flammable, noxious gas that causes the subject to
pass out and the heart stop within minutes. The process appears to be
quick and painless. Two recent cases, one in Pasadena, California and
the other at Lake Allatoona in Bartow County, Georgia, involved young
men in their early 20's. Both were found locked inside their cars with
the chemicals. Each left a note on the car warning anyone around of
danger. The car at Lake Allatoona had been taped to prevent gas from
escaping.

Does this sound like a routine call that most of us would
respond to and take similar action?

It's Sunday morning 0730 hours, you respond to a person down in
auto. You locate a car in the empty parking lot of a business. The
engine and med unit pull up near the vehicle and personnel see a person
inside that appears to be asleep or unconscious. Wearing safety glasses
and medical gloves, you walk up to the car and knock on the window.

The patient does not respond to your knock on the window, and
the doors are locked.
What action will you take? Will you hurry to make patient
access? Will you use a lockout tool, center punch, or halligan to make
entry?

You make access, a rush of warm air comes out of the vehicle and
you smell a sharp odor. You have just become a victim and have been
exposed to a noxious possibly fatal gas.

What could you have done differently? You are the first-in unit.
How should you respond to this type of incident?

1. Do not become complacent! Your response should be similar
on every call.
2. Be well trained, know your job, do your job.
3. Start your size-up from the time a call is dispatched.
4. Establish a strong command and control the scene.
5. Don't go rushing in.
6. Survey the scene.
7. Does the scene look routine?
8. Do you see anything unusual? (Example: A note on the
window, containers
inside the vehicle and taped windows or vents).
9. Is the scene safe?
10. Wear the appropriate PPE.
11. Establish a Hot Zone.
12. Develop a plan of action and coordinate activities.
13. Call for additional resources. (Hazmat Team, PD, etc.)
14. Did PD arrive prior to FD and become contaminated requiring
emergency decon and first aid?

The call listed in the first paragraph of this document started
as a routine person down call. This type of incident can easily expand
into a full blown Hazardous Materials Incident with a
multijurisdictional response. Be aware of this new way to commit
suicide and don't become a victim. Use common sense and stay safe.

To review a newspaper article and pictures regarding the suicide
in Pasadena, California, visit:

http://beaconmedianews.com/2008/08/2...its-suicide-wi
th-chemicals-inside-2003-vw-bug/


To review a newspaper article and pictures regarding the suicide
in Barton, Georgia visit:

http://www.daily-tribune.com/index.c...674BB0CD-19B9-
E2E2-676EC6D537211BFE

[medicnparadise]

Excellent information. Thank you for posting it.

[FF/EMTP1317]

Wow. Thanks for posting.

[screaming pizza]

Well, to be honest, Georgia IS rather suicide-inducing...

[NomexMedic]

Well, to be honest, Georgia IS rather suicide-inducing...

It's better than living north of the Mason Dixon...This place is MISERY!

[medic pathetic]

Thank you for the article. I'll pass this on to some people.

[firems4289]

http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/DC-Suicide-Becomes-HazMat-Incident/46$58874

I saw this on firehouse, I wonder if its the same thing?

[SARPUP]

Hey thanks for that!! I'll print it and post it in the copshop and firehouse!!

[Medic101Charlie]

Thanks for the info.

Sending to our management people right now...as well as local FD and PD.

[traffic_disaster]

Thanks for the information, I have sent it to those I know and love who may come across this in their areas.

God I hope Canadians don't find out which chemicals to mix
Hell I pray that none of you guys ever get called to one of these scenes..........
Be safe!


see you sometime after the surgery.