What is the proper action when a patient has battery acid splashed into both eyes?

When a patient has battery acid splashed into both eyes, the most crucial action is to irrigate both eyes with water for 20 minutes. This is because battery acid can cause severe chemical burns and damage to the eye tissues. Immediate and thorough irrigation helps to dilute and wash away the chemical, thereby minimizing the potential damage and helping to preserve vision.

Starting irrigation as quickly as possible is vital, ideally within seconds of exposure. Continuous flushing with water or saline for a full 20 minutes is recommended to ensure that all traces of the acid are removed. During this time, it's important to keep the patient’s eyes open to allow for effective cleansing.

Other options, such as applying ointment, covering the eyes with sterile dressings, or instructing the patient to blink frequently, are inappropriate responses in this situation. Ointments could trap the chemical in the eye, covering the eyes could prevent effective rinsing, and blinking might not adequately remove the corrosive substance. Thus, irrigation remains the standard and most effective first aid for chemical eye injuries.