Upon arrival to an unknown emergency, the husband states his wife is depressed and has locked herself in an upstairs bedroom with a handgun in the room. What should you do?

Upon arrival to an unknown emergency, the husband states his wife is depressed and has locked herself in an upstairs bedroom with a handgun in the room. What should you do?

• A. Proceed to enter and assess the patient
• B. Remain in a safe place and request law enforcement
• C. Confront the husband and take control
• D. Remain outside and wait for instructions

Answer: (B)

The situation tests scene safety when there may be an armed person. A handgun in an unknown emergency means responders must protect themselves first and avoid entering an area where the weapon could be used against you. The correct action is to stay in a safe location outside and immediately request law enforcement to respond and secure the scene. Entering or confronting the occupants would put you at risk and could escalate danger for everyone involved. While you wait, you can gather basic information from the husband from a safe distance and relay details to dispatch, but you should not approach the room or attempt to intervene until law enforcement has established a safe entry. Once the scene is secured, a patient assessment can proceed with appropriate precautions and a plan for safe access.

The situation tests scene safety when there may be an armed person. A handgun in an unknown emergency means responders must protect themselves first and avoid entering an area where the weapon could be used against you. The correct action is to stay in a safe location outside and immediately request law enforcement to respond and secure the scene. Entering or confronting the occupants would put you at risk and could escalate danger for everyone involved. While you wait, you can gather basic information from the husband from a safe distance and relay details to dispatch, but you should not approach the room or attempt to intervene until law enforcement has established a safe entry. Once the scene is secured, a patient assessment can proceed with appropriate precautions and a plan for safe access.