1. DEL MAR COLLEGE
Department of Natural Sciences
LABORATORY SAFETY PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES
A Pre-Lab Course
24-Hour Emergency Number:
DMC Security Office 361 / 698-1199

2. INSTRUCTIONS
• This Module is only necessary if your class
includes field trips. You will be instructed to
complete this module by your instructor prior to
the first field trip.
• Study the information in this module.
• Take the quiz following this module.
• You must score 100% on this quiz to stay
registered in the class. You may take the quiz
as many times as needed to achieve 100%.

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Module
General Rules and Regulations 1
Chemical Safety 2
Biohazard Safety 3
Emergency Equipment & Procedures 4
Field Trip Safety 5

4. MODULE 5
FIELD TRIP
SAFETY

5. BE PREPARED
• Report any allergies or medical conditions to
the Instructor before leaving campus.
• Bring any medications and allergy treatments
that you might possibly need.

6. BEHAVIOR AND SAFETY
 Use good manners and consideration for others
 Do not disturb the environment more than necessary
 Respect property boundaries and conservation regulations
 Do not damage property in any
way (climbing over walls or
fences, leaving gates open,
trampling crops, disturbing
livestock, etc…)
 Stay with the group - do not wander off by yourself
 Pay attention to where you are walking or climbing

7. SEPARATED FROM THE GROUP?
• Stop where you are and wait for someone to find
you. Someone WILL return to look for you so don’t
make it harder for them to find you!
• Don’t panic – focus on accepting the situation and
analyzing options
• Whistle or yell for help
• Decide on a plan that insures health and safety
• Conserve water and rest in the shade

8. PREPARE FOR THE SOUTH TEXAS HEAT
• Carry drinking water and drink frequently.
• Minimum of 2 quarts/day
• Use sunscreen liberally and reapply frequently.
• Rest in the shade when possible.
• Wear appropriate clothing.

9. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING - SUMMER TRIPS
The following are the minimum items of clothing that will
be required while participating in Field Trip activities:
UPLAND TRIPS WATER TRIPS
• Hat • Wear appropriate clothing
for water activities.
• Light-weight shirt with
long sleeves
• Shorts are not
recommended
• Light-weight pants • PFD’s and closed-toed
shoes are MANDATORY in
• Boots or sturdy shoes the boats
• Snake chaps, boots, or
leggings

10. BEWARE: DEHYDRATION
SYMPTOMS:
 Lethargy and & light-headedness
 Dark urine and constipation
PREVENTION:
 Drink frequently
(minimum 2 quart/day)
FIRST AID:
 Drink water
 Rest frequently until rehydrated
 Minimize caffeine intake

11. BEWARE: SUN BURN
SYMPTOMS:
• Pink or red skin
PREVENTION:
• Wear sunscreen, a hat, perhaps long sleeves,
and long pants (thin)
• Rest in the shade
FIRST AID:
• Apply cool water
• First aid lotion

12. BEWARE: HEAT EXHAUSTION
SYMPTOMS:
◦ Fatigue and excess thirst
◦ Heavy sweating and cool clammy skin
PREVENTION:
◦ Acclimate to heat gradually
◦ Drink water
◦ Rest in shade frequently
FIRST AID:
◦ Cool the victim and treat for shock
◦ Slowly give water or electrolyte replacement

13. BEWARE: HEAT STROKE
SYMPTOMS:
o Exhaustion, light-headedness
o Bright red skin, warm to the touch
PREVENTION:
o Become acclimated
o Drink plenty of water
o Rest in the shade frequently
FIRST AID:
o Call 911! Heat Stroke is a medical emergency.
o Move the person to a cool shaded area.
o Cool the person using methods such as:
• Soak their clothes with water.
• Spray, sponge, or shower them with water.
• Fan their body. Cool the victim at once and replenish fluids
o Seek medical attention immediately!

14. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING - WINTER TRIPS
The following are the minimum items of clothing that will
be required while participating in Field Trip activities:
UPLAND TRIPS WATER TRIPS
• Hat • Appropriate clothing for
water activities
• Layered clothing
• Wet suit
• Rain gear
• Gloves
• Boots or sturdy shoes
• Waders
• Snake chaps, boots, or
leggings • Slicker suit

15. BEWARE: HYPOTHERMIA
When the outside environment gets too cold or the body's heat production
decreases, hypothermia occurs. Hypothermia is defined as having a
core body temperature less than 95 degrees F.
SYMPTOMS:
• Shivering, numbness, slurred speech, excessive
fatigue
PREVENTION:
• Dress in layers and/or wear appropriate clothing
• Avoid getting damp from perspiration
FIRST AID:
• Replace wet clothing with warm dry clothing,
blanket or skin to skin contact.
• Drink warm liquids
• Seek medical attention ASAP

16. PLAN AHEAD FOR EXTREME WEATHER
o Be aware of special weather concerns before you leave
campus
o Bring appropriate equipment (weather radio, flashlight,
etc.) to deal with fast forming severe weather such as;
● Flash flood
● Lightening
● High winds
● Tornadoes...

17. DANGERS IN THE SOUTH TEXAS:
UPLAND ENVIRONMENT
 Plants – poison ivy and oak..
o Wear gloves…
 Venomous Snakes
o Be aware of your surroundings
 Rodents – Remember Hanta virus?...
o Wear gloves …
 Alligators...
o Stay away from them…
 Bugs- mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks…
o Carry insect repellent…

18. DANGERS IN THE SOUTH TEXAS:
WATER ENVIRONMENT
 Stingrays
• SHUFFLE YOUR FEET!
 Jellyfish
• STAY AWAY FROM THEM!
 Portuguese Man-of-war
• STAY AWAY FROM THEM!
 Barnacles
• Watch for them on the jetties
Make sure you take meat tenderizer and
peroxide along on the trip

19. SOME SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS
 Keep garbage contained
 Shake all clothing & bedding before use
 Stay away from animal nests or burrows
 Watch where you put your feet and hands
 Avoid contact with sick or dead animals
 Wear tightly woven materials and tuck pants into
boots
 Minimize use of lights after dark
 Use netting to keep pests away from food
 Be aware of animal behavior

20. PARTIAL SUPPLY LIST:
 Water  Flagging  Map/Chart of the
 Sunglasses  Rope area
 Sunscreen  Signal mirror  Windproof jacket
 Hat  Signal flares  Sea sickness
medication
 Protein, Power, or  Extra clothing
Granola bar  Marine radio
 Safety blanket
Pocket knife  Waterproof
  Whistle
matches
 Insect Repellant

21. TRIP SAFETY CHECKLIST
 Study location & potential hazards beforehand
 Study the weather conditions for possible storms
 Make sure a well stocked first aid kit available
 Check your clothing & pack for the following:
• appropriate emergency • drinking water
weather & environment gear • appropriate shoes
• medication • flashlight
• hat & sunglasses • insect repellant
• sunscreen
WEAR YOUR SEATBELT IN THE VEHICLES

22. REMINDER
Please complete the quiz for
Module 5.