(16) Rapid panting respiration.
(17) Respiratory distress.
2-10. ADMINISTER FOLLOW-ON TREATMENT
a. Administer Additional Atropine. If all three sets of the casualty's Mark I
have been given and severe respiratory distress or convulsions persist, relief does not
occur, and bronchial secretions and salivation do not decrease, administer additional
atropine autoinjectors as frequently as required to achieve atropinization. Maintain
atropinization by administering an additional autoinjector every 10 to 30 minutes as long
as needed.
b. Administer Additional Convulsant Antidote For Nerve Agent. If the
casualty continues to convulse after the first injection of CANA, wait 10 minutes; then
administer the second CANA. Observe the casualty for about 10 more minutes and
administer the third CANA if needed.
CAUTION:
The injections will be limited to three CANA prior to being evacuated to
the medical treatment facility.
c. Check Respiration. Listen for breathing difficulties. Check for cyanosis
(bluish coloring of skin caused by lack of oxygen due to respiratory difficulty). Check
the skin around the casualty's eyes through the mask eyelets. Watch the rise and fall of
the chest. Turn the casualty onto his side to facilitate breathing.
(1) If the casualty is unconscious and you cannot see the chest rising and
falling, cover the mask's inlet valve. The mask will collapse if the casualty is breathing.
(2)
If the patient is experiencing difficultly in breathing, evacuate him
immediately.
d. Document Treatment. Initiate a field medical card (DD Form 1380) on the
casualty, if time permits. Be sure to indicate the total amount of antidote the casualty
received. Procedures for initiating the card are given in subcourse MD0920, Medical
Records and Sick Call Procedures.
e. Evacuate the Casualty. If the casualty exhibits signs and symptoms of
severe nerve agent poisoning or has difficulty breathing, evacuate the casualty to a
medical treatment facility. Evacuate the casualty by litter if possible. Procedures for
evacuation are given in subcourse MD0001, Evacuation in the Field.
MD0534
2-17