Top 10 Items to Know for Radiation Emergencies

1. Learn the basics:
   • Radiation Principles: Video (HHS/CDC) (YouTube - 1:52 min)
   • Types of Ionizing Radiation and Shielding Required: Video (HHS/CDC) (YouTube - 1:44 min)
   • Radiation Basics Made Simple (HHS/CDC)
   • Basic Information (DOT/TEPP/MERRTT)
   • Factors that Decrease Radiation Exposure: Time, Distance, Shielding
2. Learn the difference:
   • What is exposure? Animations
   • What is contamination? Animations
3. Learn the kinds of radiation emergencies that could be mass casualty incidents
4. Learn how radiation emergencies are discovered
5. Learn about Describing a Radiation Emergency: Definition, Severity, Phases, Timeline
6. Learn about the Acute Radiation Syndrome
   • Learn about the Effects of Acute Radiation Syndrome
   • Learn about the Time Phases of the Acute Radiation Syndrome
   • Learn more about clinical management
7. Learn about managing patients with radiation injuries
   • Clinical algorithms
     • Managing contamination
     • Managing exposure and the Acute Radiation Syndrome
     • Managing both contamination and exposure
   • Initial Actions for Responders after Nuclear Detonation
     • First Receivers: Emergency Department Staff: 2 page summary sheet (US Government Interagency, May 2014, Version 1.0, Draft for Interim Use) (PDF - 1 MB)
     • First Responders: Emergency Medical Service Staff: 2 page summary sheet (US Government Interagency, May 2014, Version 1.0, Draft for Interim Use) (PDF - 1.02 MB)
8. Learn more about radiation contamination
   • Isotopes of Interest
   • Countermeasures for Internal Contamination
9. Learn more about radiation emergencies from the REMM Multimedia Library (Animations, Illustrations, Videos, Photos)
10. Learn whom to call for assistance in radiation emergencies and how to volunteer to be a responder.