As first responders, police officers may often encounter many different instances where an individual is reported to be unconscious inside a vehicle. Typically upon arrival, the officer attempts to make contact with the subject to investigate the situation. Often, the officer discovers that the person has a medical condition, is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or simply has not been getting enough sleep (Randall, 2011). However, there has been a growing trend in the United States in recent years that is impacting the safety of first responders. In this trend, people release chemicals inside confined spaces, such as a vehicle, to commit suicide. Chemical suicides are very dangerous to anyone nearby because the fumes are extremely toxic (Oreshan & Stevens, 2011). Individuals attempting to rescue a suicidal individual may put themselves at risk of exposure, which can result in serious injury or death. Being a first responder, it is important to understand the growing threat of chemical suicides and how they are typically carried out, the warning signs and proper safety procedures to use, as well as treatments for this type of chemical exposure. Chemical suicides are believed to have originated in Japan in 2007, and since then there have been over 2,000 cases in the country (Oreshan & Stevens, 2011). Slowly, this method of suicide has been steadily increasing in the United States since 2008, where at least 72 known cases have been documented (Goode, 2011). Of these cases, 2 occurred in 2008, 9 in 2009, 36 in 2010, and at least 27 cases by mid-2011 (Scoville, 2011). While these numbers are only a small fraction of the amount of suicides… half of the paper… 2010). In the treatment of hydrogen sulfide exposure, nitrite therapy may be included to aid recovery (Oreshan & Stevens, 2011). If exposure to hydrogen cyanide has occurred, the individual should also be given a specific cyanide antidote kit (Oreshan & Stevens, 2011). Overall, chemical suicides represent a threat that is unfortunately expected to continue to increase throughout the United States. It is essential to continue training and communicate to first responders the dangers they pose. Every first responder must be informed of how these suicides are carried out, as well as the warning signs, appropriate safety procedures and treatments to use if encountered. The more this information is disseminated, the greater the chance of limiting injuries and deaths associated with this type of secondhand chemical exposure..