What is the recommended action if you observe a victim who is disoriented in smoke?

• A. Encourage evacuation to exit if safe and possible; call for additional resources if necessary.
• B. Attempt to carry the person out immediately without assessment.
• C. Wait for the person to self-rescue.
• D. Ignore and resume firefighting tasks.

Answer: (A)

When someone is disoriented in smoke, the priority is to move them toward safety while keeping yourself safe and getting help on the way. The recommended action is to guide the person to the exit if you can do so without exposing either of you to greater danger, and to call for additional resources as needed. Verbal directions, a calm pace, and a supportive hand can help the victim navigate toward a safe egress without risking a hasty, unassessed carry that could injure both of you or trap you in a hazardous area. Getting EMS and any needed responders en route ensures the victim will receive medical evaluation and potential treatment for inhalation or other injuries once out of the smoke. If there isn’t a safe path to exit, or the situation deteriorates, reassessing and requesting more help is essential rather than proceeding with an improvised extraction.

Carrying someone out immediately without assessment can put you both at risk, since you might move through hazards you can’t see or reach, and the person may not be capable of being moved safely. Waiting for the person to self-rescue delays potential life-saving egress, and ignoring the situation and resuming firefighting tasks fails to protect a victim who is in danger.