What does the term "Expose to treat" refer to in decontamination procedures?

The term "Expose to treat" in decontamination procedures specifically refers to the necessity of removing a casualty's protective equipment to conduct a thorough assessment and provide proper medical care. During decontamination, it's essential to ensure the safety of both the casualty and the responders. The protective gear can hinder the ability to assess the casualty's injuries or medical condition effectively. By removing this equipment, medical personnel can perform a MARCH assessment—which includes evaluating and managing the airway, breathing, circulation, and addressing any severe hemorrhage—thereby enabling them to treat the casualty's injuries appropriately and effectively.

In contrast, evaluating the area for additional threats (which refers more to assessing the incident site for ongoing risks) or administering medications are secondary actions that occur after initial assessment. Transporting the casualty to a medical facility is important but typically happens after the assessment and initial treatment are complete. Therefore, "Expose to treat" is fundamentally about the immediate need to assess and care for the casualty effectively by removing barriers presented by personal protective equipment.