In the context of fire safety, the "S" in the PASS acronym stands for which action?

The PASS acronym is a widely recognized guideline for using a fire extinguisher effectively. In this acronym, each letter represents a step that must be followed to ensure safe and effective operation during a fire emergency. The "S" stands for "Sweep," which refers to the action taken after aiming the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.

When using a fire extinguisher, after pulling the pin and aiming at the fire, the user should sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the flames. This sweeping motion helps to cover a larger area and effectively extinguishes the fire by targeting the fuel source.

Understanding this sequence is critical for safely controlling fires in various settings, especially in healthcare environments where patient safety is paramount. This method not only increases the chances of successfully extinguishing the fire but also minimizes the risk of injury to the individual using the extinguisher.