What is one of the first steps when breaking or removing tempered glass using a spring-loaded center punch?

Using a spring-loaded center punch to break or remove tempered glass requires careful attention to safety, particularly for the victim who may be in close proximity to the glass. The first step is to ensure that the victim is properly protected. This involves assessing the situation to ensure that any potential shards of glass will not pose a risk to the victim's safety. Protection may include using blankets or other barriers to shield them from flying glass, or ensuring their position does not place them directly in line with the broken glass.

While ensuring proper ventilation, using gloves, and notifying bystanders are all important safety considerations in certain contexts, the immediate concern in a rescue situation is the safety of the victim. This step is critical because improperly breaking tempered glass can result in dangerous shattering, leading to further injuries. Thus, ensuring the victim's protection should be prioritized before proceeding with the operation.