What should an EMT do when encountering a violent scene?

When encountering a violent scene, the most critical priority for an EMT is the safety of themselves and others. Retreating to ensure safety and waiting for law enforcement is vital because an unsafe environment poses a risk not only to responders but also to patients who may be trapped or injured due to the violence. By ensuring that the scene is secured by law enforcement first, the EMT can provide care without facing potential danger from ongoing violence.

This approach aligns with the principles of scene safety and personal protective measures. EMTs are trained to assess the safety of a scene before providing care; this emphasizes the importance of scene assessment to protect themselves and their patients from further harm. Ensuring that law enforcement assesses the situation allows for a safer environment in which to provide necessary medical assistance.

The other choices do not emphasize personal safety adequately or could place EMTs in potentially life-threatening situations. For example, immediately approaching a violent scene could expose the EMT to harm, and ignoring the scene entirely neglects the need for intervention when patients may still require aid in a safe environment.