1.0 Introduction to Emergency Triage

 When you suspect your home may be contributing to your symptoms, your first priority isn’t testing, remediation, or making expensive decisions—it’s reducing unnecessary exposure while you determine what to do next.

In this course, you’ll learn the three emergency triage strategies that form the first step of the Roadmap to Recovery: Isolation, Separation, and Filtration. You’ll discover when each strategy is appropriate, how they work together to reduce exposure and limit cross-contamination, and how to determine which approach best fits your current situation. Finally, you’ll learn how to build two affordable, do-it-yourself Corsi-Rosenthal air filtration systems that can provide meaningful filtration while you continue investigating your home.

The goal of emergency triage isn’t to solve the problem overnight. It’s to stabilize the situation, reduce unnecessary exposure, and help you make thoughtful, informed decisions as you move forward with confidence. 

Lesson at a Glance

When you’re concerned about your home’s indoor environment, your first priority isn’t solving the entire problem—it’s reducing unnecessary exposure while you determine what to do next.

This course introduces the three Emergency Triage strategies that form the first step of the Roadmap to Recovery:

  • Isolation helps contain known sources of contamination to reduce the spread of airborne particles.
  • Separation creates distance between occupants and suspected problem areas while additional information is gathered.
  • Filtration removes airborne particles from the air throughout the home, helping reduce overall exposure regardless of the source.

You’ll also learn how to build affordable Corsi-Rosenthal air filtration systems that provide excellent filtration performance at a fraction of the cost of many commercial air purifiers.

Emergency Triage isn’t a permanent solution. It’s a practical first-aid approach that helps stabilize the situation, reduce exposure, and give you time to make informed decisions about the next phase of recovery.

Don’t worry about choosing perfectly—simply select the scenario that most closely reflects what you know today.

Key Takeaways

  • Emergency Triage is the first step—not the final solution. Its purpose is to reduce exposure while you gather information and determine the best long-term course of action.
  • Start with the strategy that matches your situation. Your current circumstances determine whether Isolation, Separation, or Filtration should be your first priority.
  • Isolation contains known sources. When you’ve identified contaminated materials or a specific problem area, temporary containment can help reduce particle spread.
  • Separation protects occupants. Creating distance from suspected problem areas can reduce exposure while you continue investigating.
  • Filtration benefits nearly every situation. Removing airborne particles throughout the home can help reduce exposure, even when the source hasn’t been identified.
  • Simple, temporary actions can make a meaningful difference. Emergency Triage helps stabilize the situation so you can make informed decisions without feeling rushed.

Next Steps

  • You’re now ready to begin the Emergency Triage strategy that’s most appropriate for your situation.

    Review the three options below and select the one that best matches your current circumstances. Don’t worry about choosing perfectly—simply select the scenario that most closely reflects what you know today. If your situation changes as you learn more, you can always return and follow a different path.

    Choose one of the following to continue: 

1.1 Known Contamination → Isolation
1.2 Suspected Problem Area → Separation
1.3 General Indoor Air Quality Concerns → Filtration