Personal Protective Equipment (cont.)
Medical Author:
Jeffrey L Arnold, MD, FACEP
Medical Editor:
Suzanne White, MD
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Raymond J Roberge, MD, MPH, FAAEM, FACMT
IN THIS ARTICLE
Multimedia
Media type: Photo Media file 2: Rescuer wearing level A protection, rear view. By definition, level A protection incorporates either a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA, shown here) or a supplied-air respirator (SAR). The wearer is encapsulated completely. Photo credit: Tom Blackwell, MD. 
Media type: Photo Media file 3: Rescuer wearing level B protection. This type of suit provides excellent splash protection from the front, but the wearer is not encapsulated completely. Air is supplied by a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA, shown here) or supplied-air respirator (SAR). Level B protection is appropriate for workers performing patient care and decontamination in the warm zone, in which the victims and their clothing possibly are contaminated with a chemical that could evaporate or be absorbed through the skin. Photo credit: Tom Blackwell, MD. 
Media type: Photo Media file 4: Rescuer wearing level C protection. The skin is protected the same as with level B, but the rescuer now is breathing filtered air from a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) rather than supplied air from a tank. Because it avoids the weight and complexity of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) system, Level C protection is much easier to wear and causes less heat stress. Level C protection is appropriate for most activities in the warm zone, unless droplet and/or vapor levels are very high. Photo credit: Tom Blackwell, MD. 
Media type: Photo Media file 5: Chemical Terrorism Agents and Syndromes. Signs and symptoms to watch for. Chart courtesy of North Carolina Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology (SPICE), copyright University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 
Media type: Chart Media file 6: Bioterrorist Agents. Signs and symptoms to watch for. Chart courtesy of North Carolina Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology (SPICE), copyright University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 
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CBRNE - Personal Protective Equipment »
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to the respiratory equipment, garments, and barrier materials used to protect rescuers and medical personnel from exposure to biological, chemical, and radioactive hazards.
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