Resource Disaster Recover First Actions
Resource Disaster Recover First Actions
Resource Disaster Recover First Actions
Some actions under immediate response and initial actions may be done simultaneously
or may be on-going as information or circumstances change.
Note: At any step in the following work flow, experts can be called in to perform the
work. The sooner experts are called upon and the more-inclusive the amount of work
that is performed by experienced, trained personnel; the greater the probability and
degree of recovery that can be expected. As such, the farther down the work-flow that
procedures are attempted by in-house personnel, the greater the likelihood that
salvageable materials may be lost due to inexperienced handling or lack of specialized
knowledge and tools.
Initial actions
Initial Triage
2. Identify the types of materials affected by the disaster. This is critical to any further
actions as different materials may require different handling.
3. If the material is dry, vacuum off any loose debris using a vacuum with a Hepa filter.
A. Lightly dust or dry wipe the majority of the remaining contamination from the
reel, cassette, disc, film can, tape box or the jewel/amaray case
B. Vacuum a second time to remove loose debris.
C. Label the film/tape/disc and film can, tape box or the jewel/amaray case with a
brief description of the problem and place in a clean, cool and dry environment.
4. If the material is wet and has visible physical contaminants, rinse off the majority of
the contaminants with cool, distilled water.
A. Do not use tap or drinking water that contains chlorine as this may damage
AV materials.
B. Drip-dry or blot off the majority of the water on the material.
C. Do not return the damp/wet materials to cases. Place the exposed
reel/cassette, disc in a clean, cool and dry environment that has gentle air
movement and, if possible, a positive air flow (air is being evacuated or drawn
out of the environment.
D. DO NOT use heat to dry materials.
Note that professionals have both special equipment and extensive experience handling
AV materials that have been exposed to disaster conditions. Whether you are going to
use a specialist to work on you materials or you are going to attempt some in-house
treatment, at the very least, consult with a specialist for guidance before attempting any
stabilization or treatment procedures. Many in-house handling and treatment
techniques are compromises between what is optimal and what can be done with
limited resources and personnel. Experts will direct you on which procedures will assist
in recovery and which may actually interfere with recovery or damage your materials.
When planning the recovery stage, it is necessary to prioritize your efforts to best use
available, and frequently limited, resources. It is helpful, at this stage to note that, if the
AV material is a commercially distributed copy, it is often more practical and economical
to purchase another copy than to attempt treatment and recovery. In addition, if
treatment and recovery of AV material is attempted, once treatment of the material is
complete, it is often more practical or economical to replace the film can/tape box or the
disc jewel/amaray case with new rather than treat or clean the easily replaced container.
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