Precautions During Cadaveric Dissection

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Wear a lab coat or scrubs (3/4 length coat preferred) - never wear street clothes without cover.
• Use double nitrile gloves at all times; change them every 2 hours or when soaked in embalming fluid. Latex gloves are NOT adequate.
• Wear safety glasses or goggles to protect eyes from fluid splashes during dissection.
• Wear closed-toe shoes only - sandals or open footwear are prohibited.
• Tie back long hair and remove dangling jewelry before entering the lab.

2. Hygiene and Personal Safety

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after removing gloves, and always before leaving the lab.
• Never eat, drink, or chew gum inside the dissection hall - food and beverages are strictly prohibited.
• Do not touch your face, eyes, or mouth with gloves on.
• Do not carry personal belongings (bags, books, phones) into the dissection area.

3. Chemical (Embalming Fluid / Formalin) Hazards

• Embalming fluid contains formaldehyde, which is a known irritant and potential carcinogen - minimize prolonged inhalation.
• Ensure adequate ventilation in the lab at all times; leave the area if you feel nauseated, dizzy, or lightheaded.
• If embalming fluid contacts your eyes, flush immediately at the nearest eyewash station.
• Know the location of the eyewash station, emergency shower, fire exit, and telephone before starting.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding students must consult their physician and inform the faculty, as formaldehyde exposure carries special risks.

4. Instrument Safety

• Handle scalpels and sharp instruments with extreme care - never wave, point, or pass them blade-first.
• Always keep the scalpel in view - never place it under the body or inside body cavities.
• Dispose of used blades in designated sharps containers only; never recap or break blades by hand.
• Report any needle-stick injury or cut to faculty immediately; follow the institutional protocol for sharps injuries.
• Use blunt dissection techniques (probe, scissors, forceps, fingers) as the primary method; use the scalpel only when specifically required.

5. Handling the Cadaver

• Uncover only the part of the body being dissected at any time; cover the rest to maintain dignity.
• Treat the cadaver with respect and professionalism at all times - remember it is a human donor.
• Keep all dissected tissues in the body bag with the donor; do not discard them.
• Do not take photographs or videos unless explicitly authorized by faculty.
• No unauthorized visitors should enter the dissection hall.

6. Emotional and Psychological Wellbeing

• It is normal to feel anxiety or emotional discomfort, especially during first exposure.
• Students who feel emotionally overwhelmed should step away quietly and speak with faculty.
• Rotate dissection roles among group members to prevent fatigue and emotional burnout.
• Avoid prolonged close-up dissection - take breaks to reduce both physical and emotional strain.

7. General Lab Conduct

• Maintain silence and a professional atmosphere in the dissection hall at all times.
• Keep the workstation clean and organized; wipe down surfaces at the end of each session.
• Do not leave instruments, clothing, or personal items in the lab after the session.
• Coordinate with group members and follow the dissection guide/atlas step by step.
• Any injury, accident, or unusual illness must be reported immediately to faculty or lab supervisors.