If a caller reports that their son has hung himself, what protocol is appropriate?

The appropriate protocol for a situation where a caller reports that their son has hung himself is Protocol 9 for Cardiac or Respiratory Arrest/Death with post-dispatch instructions before case entry. This choice is correct because the scenario indicates a life-threatening situation where consciousness and breathing are compromised due to hanging, which constitutes a medical emergency.

In this scenario, immediate actions are necessary to address the potential cardiac or respiratory arrest. Protocol 9 focuses on obtaining critical information about the victim’s current condition (such as breathing, pulse, and responsiveness), which can guide the dispatcher in providing vital pre-arrival instructions such as CPR or other life-saving measures. This protocol ensures that emergency responders receive pertinent information quickly while also focusing on stabilizing the patient's condition.

Other protocols, such as the one related to suicide prevention or mental health crises, would be applicable in different contexts, such as assessing suicidal ideation or managing a mental health emergency where a person is alive but in distress. However, in cases where there is an immediate risk to life due to hanging, the primary focus must be on medical intervention, making Protocol 9 the most appropriate choice.