In the event of a radiological incident, what is a common guideline regarding the distance from the source?

Moving quickly and remaining as far away as possible from the radiation source is a key guideline in the event of a radiological incident. This principle is based on the understanding that radiation exposure is inversely related to distance; the farther one is from the source of radiation, the lower the exposure will be. By maximizing distance, individuals reduce their risk of receiving harmful doses of radiation, which can lead to serious health effects.

In situations involving radiation, immediate action to increase distance is crucial because radiation levels can diminish significantly with increased distance due to the dispersion of radiation energy. This guideline emphasizes the importance of acting swiftly to ensure safety and minimize exposure rather than remaining in potentially hazardous zones.

For effective safety response, the other options—like staying put or assessing the situation by approaching the radiation source—pose higher risks of exposure and are not in line with established safety protocols. Additionally, while using available cover might provide some level of shielding, moving away is generally the priority to achieve the most significant risk reduction in cases of radiological release.