Protection of Unit Equipment and Supplies
When the situation permits, assist others who
need help.
Because contaminated equipment and supplies pose
a threat to personnel, covers should be used to protect
Protective Measures after Chemical Attack
equipment and supplies stored outdoors, if possible. The
following guidance is appropriate for combat, combat
Whether an attack comes in the form of a vapor,
support, and combat service support units.
aerosol spray, or a liquid agent, remain in protective gear
EQUIPMENT.-- Important items of equipment
and continue your mission. When the time and the
must be covered. Plastic sheets serve as excellent covers
mission permit, give first aid to casualties in the
because they are nonporous. If plastic material is not
immediate vicinity, and report the local casualty status
available, tarpaulins or other suitable material may be
to the appropriate authority. All personnel must await
used. If nothing else is available, dense foliage will
the commander's order for unmasking. After a chemical
provide some protection.
attack DO NOT UNMASK UNTIL AUTHORIZED
PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS.-- Vapor, aerosol
BY YOUR IMMEDIATE COMMANDER. In the
spray, or liquid chemical agents can contaminate food.
absence of command guidance, the procedures
The type of food, type and amount of agent, and
described below should be followed.
effectiveness of protective measures influence the
edibility of food. Food not in protective packages
PROCEDURE WHEN A DETECTOR KIT IS
generally presents the major problem. Chemical agents
AVAILABLE.-- Use a chemical agent detector kit to test
may penetrate packaged food when it is left exposed
for the presence or absence of chemical agents.
over an extended period of time.
After determining the absence of agents, two or
UNPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS.-- Oily and fatty
three individuals should unmask for 5 minutes, then
unpackaged foods are particularly vulnerable to
remask. Check for chemical agent symptoms. If no
chemical contamination. These foods are protected from
chemical agent symptoms appear in 10 minutes, the
remainder of the troops may safely unmask. Bright light
causes contraction of the pupils that could be
serviceable. As a rule of thumb, CONTAMINATED
UNPACKAGED FOOD MUST NOT BE EATEN!
PROCEDURE WHEN A DETECTOR KIT IS
WATER.-- Medical personnel are responsible for
NOT AVAILABLE.-- Observe animal life within your
recommendations on the potability of water. Water that
surrounding area for symptoms of chemical agent
is not in sealed containers may become contaminated.
poisoning. If the local animals appear affected by a
chemical agent and if it does not impede your mission,
consumed until tested and declared safe.
move to an area where the animals appear normal before
you attempt the procedures listed below. These
First Aid and Self-Aid
procedures should also be used in an extreme
emergency. Two or three individuals should be selected
First aid includes the immediate actions required to
to take a deep breath, hold it, break the seal of their
prevent further injury or complications from the effects
masks, and keep their eyes wide open for 15 seconds.
of chemical agents. First aid necessarily includes the
They then should clear their masks, reestablish the seal,
prompt removal of agents from the eyes and
and wait for 10 minutes. If no symptoms appear after 10
decontamination of the skin to avoid casualties from
minutes, these same individuals should again break the
lethal liquid agents. Therefore, first aid must include
seal, take two or three breaths, and clear and reseal the
performing self-aid, or personal decontamination,
mask. After another 10-minute wait, if no symptoms
automatically and without orders when it is required.
have developed, these same individuals should unmask
First aid also includes the use of appropriate medications
for 5 minutes and then remask. After this procedure, if
or actions to reduce the effects of the agent, such as the
no symptoms have appeared, the remainder of the group
use of the nerve agent antidote injector for nerve agent
can safely unmask. However, remain alert for the
poisoning. Each individual must be thoroughly trained
appearance of any chemical symptoms. If symptoms
in both first aid and personal decontamination so he or
occur, resume the wearing of masks.
she can perform these actions quickly.
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