What is the first step in opening a hydrant?

The first step in opening a hydrant is to remove the hydrant cap from the outlet you will be using. This is essential because accessing the outlet is necessary before any further actions can be taken with the hydrant. By removing the cap, you allow for the attachment of hoses or other equipment and ensure that the hydrant can be accessed for operation.

Once the cap is off, you can then proceed to check for leaks, which would typically follow as a preventive safety measure to ensure the hydrant is functioning correctly and does not have any issues that could lead to water loss or ineffective firefighting efforts. Turning the valve counterclockwise, which is the action to open the hydrant, also comes after the cap has been removed, as does attaching the hose to the outlet. Thus, removing the cap is indeed the logical first step in the process of operating a hydrant.