What is the appropriate action when a handgun is present in a residence during an EMS assessment?

• A. position yourself in between the patient and the gun and ask your partner to request law enforcement assistance.
• B. direct your partner to move the gun to a safe area and then advise the patient that his weapon has been secured.
• C. document the presence of the weapon, including its specific location, and continue your assessment of the patient.
• D. immediately cease all patient care, carefully back out of the residence, and request law enforcement assistance.

Answer: (A)

When a handgun is present, scene safety comes first. Positioning yourself between the patient and the firearm creates a barrier that reduces the risk of a firearm discharge or harm to you and the patient. At the same time, you should call for law enforcement to secure the weapon, so trained personnel can handle the firearm safely. You can continue your patient assessment from a safe position, without touching or moving the weapon yourself.

Moving the gun yourself is unsafe and could escalate risk. Simply documenting that a weapon is present without securing it leaves you and the patient exposed. Ceasing patient care and backing out abandons the patient, which is not appropriate when you can maintain care safely.