No chemical vapor hazard is expected beyond the
Two troops are needed to operate this station. A
vapor hazard contamination control line if the wind
corpsmen should be present to treat any personnel
direction remains constant. Position the M8A1 or the
suffering from chemical agents symptoms.
M-21 automatic chemical agent alarm upwind of the
site to warn of vapor hazards.
E X E C U T I O N -- The monitor checks the
individuals for contamination. Corpsmen will
administer first aid as required. Liquid agent can be
Station 7--Mask Decon Point
detected with the M8 detector paper. Small quantities
of agent vapor can be detected with the CAM.
Performing this step removes all the
Symptoms of agent poisoning are the most obvious
contamination from the mask.
indication of skin contamination. At this step, the
medic checks each troop for symptoms and treats them
PREPARATION-- The following material and
as required. Troops should report any damage to their
equipment are needed:
MOPP gear that was identified at stations 2, 3, and 4.
Any areas identified as contaminated can be
Four containers (about 3-gallon capacity)
d e c o n t a m i n a t e d with the M258A1 or M291
CAM (for chemical only)
decontaminating kit by the station attendants.
Individuals will be monitored after decon. It is
Hot, soapy water
possible that all liquid chemical contamination is
Rinse water
absorbed into the clothing. Chemical detector paper
Mask sanitizing solution
(M8 and M9) will indicate negative, even though there
is a hazard. The COC can choose to conduct more
Immersion heater 30-gallon container
extensive contamination checks here if time is
Two sponges
available. This will decrease the risk of casualties.
One case of paper towels
Station 6--Mask Removal
Dig a sump (4 feet wide by 4 feet long by 4 feet
deep) in which to discard used filters and canisters.
Performing this step removes the mask without
Three troops are needed to operate this station.
contaminating the Seabee. The mask is taken to a
Two troops will strip, wash, rinse, sanitize, and dry
mask decon point, limiting agent transfer at the site.
masks. The other troop checks the masks and carries
them to the reissue point.
PREPARATION-- The following equipment is
needed:
EXECUTION-- Remove the eye lens, the
outserts, and the hood, if the hood was not cut off at
M8A1 automatic chemical agent alarm
station 2. Remove and discard the filters or canisters.
Two troops are needed to operate this station.
Put the items into the properly marked containers.
They remove and carry masks to the mask decon point
Wash the mask, the hood, and the outserts in hot, soapy
(station 7).
water. Rinse them in clean water, dip into sanitizing
solution, agitate for 5 minutes, then rinse in clean
EXECUTION-- If the hood is still attached to the
water again. Add one tube of mask sanitizing solution
(calcium hypochlorite) to each quart of water. Wipe
mask, the attendant pulls the hood over the front of the
with rags until they are almost dry. Discard each
mask, grabs the mask by the voicemitter cover, and
gallon of mask sanitizing solution into a sump after
pulls the mask off the individual. The individual holds
ten masks. The attendant checks for contamination
his or her breath as the mask is removed. If the mask
with a CAM. If the mask is still contaminated the
has optical inserts, the attendant holds the mask open
attendant recycles it for more decon and then
so the individual can remove the inserts without
decontaminates his or her rubber gloves. If the mask
touching the outside of the mask. The individual then
is not contaminated, the attendant takes the
w a l k s upwind 5 meters, crosses the vapor
unassembled mask to the reissue point. The attendant
contamination control line, and resumes breathing.
must take care not to contaminate the reissue point or
The station attendant brings the mask to station 7,
themselves.
mask decon point.
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