For decontaminating skin, each Seabee receives the
M258A1 kit in a hard plastic case. Avoid getting
decontaminants into eyes, open wounds, or mouth. If
contaminants enter these areas, flush them with water.
If symptoms appear, seek medical attention as soon as
possible. The kit is normally attached to the protective
mask carrier or the load-bearing equipment (LBE). It
contains three sets of foil-packaged towelettes saturated
with different decontaminating solutions. These
solutions neutralize most nerve and blister agents.
Protect the kit from temperatures above 110F
(43C) and below 32F (0C). The solutions are
flammable and unstable in storage at temperatures
above 110F (43C) or for prolonged periods of time in
sunlight.
Shelter is necessary to prevent further con-
tamination during the decontamination process. If no
overhead cover is available, throw a poncho or shelter
half over your head before beginning decontamination.
Figure 9-2.--M258A1 skin decontamination kit.
CAUTION
Do not let the solution from the M258A1
UNIDENTIFIED CHEMICAL AGENTS.-- In
kit get in your eyes!
most cases, the individuals are not able to identify the
chemical agent used in the attack. When exposed to an
NERVE AGENTS.-- If you are told that your pupils
enemy chemical attack while dressed in chemical
are getting very small or if you are having trouble
protective clothing and equipment, he or she is not
breathing and your chest feels tight, use the atropine
normally concerned with immediate decontamination.
nerve agent antidote kit (NAAK), Mark I.
When the skin of an individual becomes
The injectors contain medications to treat the initial
contaminated, it must be decontaminated immediately.
symptoms of nerve agent poisoning. But, most
Skin decon is the neutralization or removal of
importantly, it will check the more serious effects of
contamination from exposed portions of the skin. The
nerve agent sickness. The injectors are antidotes, not a
individual performs the decon by using M258A1 skin
preventive device; therefore, only use the injectors when
decon kit (fig. 9-2). This kit is designed for chemical
you actually experience symptoms of nerve agent
decon, but it can be used to remove radiological
poisoning. (See fig. 9-3.) The directions for use are as
contamination. If the contaminated person is
follows:
incapacitated, another person must perform the
decontamination so that he can survive.
1. Put on the protective mask.
Figure 9-3.--Nerve agent antidote kit (NAAK), Mark I.
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