What is the first action to take with a fire extinguisher, according to the PASS method?

The first action to take with a fire extinguisher, according to the PASS method, is to pull the pin. This step is crucial because the pin is a safety device that prevents accidental activation of the extinguisher. By pulling the pin, you are ensuring that you can now proceed to deploy the extinguisher safely.

Once the pin is removed, the fire extinguisher is ready for use, and you can then move on to the next steps: aiming at the base of the fire, squeezing the handle, and sweeping the nozzle from side to side to effectively extinguish the flames. This sequence is designed to maximize your chances of successfully putting out the fire while maintaining safety protocols.