What is your next immediate action?

Based upon the fact that the substance involved has already been identified as posing a significant health hazard, time cannot be wasted prior to initiation of field expedient gross decontamination. The universal decontaminating solution is water, and no time should be wasted in beginning to rinse any potential contamination away with it. Removal of the outer layer of clothing will immediately reduce the level of contamination on the victims. It is unreasonable to expect that the victims will wait for the hazardous materials team to arrive and begin decontamination. At no time should EMS personnel jeopardize their own safety by performing physical assessment or obtaining vital signs from potentially contaminated victims. Although weakened bleach solutions are sometimes used for decontamination, water is the best choice when the exact contaminating agent is unknown.