Figure 2-8. Convulsant antidote for nerve agent.
a. Open Plastic Packet. Tear open the protective plastic packet by pulling
quickly at top (gray end) of the autoinjector.
b. Determine Injection Site (Thigh or Buttocks). Check the casualty's
pockets for items that may interfere with injector. Check the size of the casualty's thigh
muscle. If the casualty has a lateral thin thigh muscle, injection must be administered in
the upper outer quadrant of the buttocks.
c. Grasp Autoinjector. With your dominant hand, grasp the autoinjector with
needle extending beyond and index finger.
d. Pull Safety Cap. Use the other hand to pull the safety cap off the
autoinjector base. DO NOT cover or hold the black (needle) end with your hand or
fingers.
e. Position Autoinjector. Position the back end of CANA autoinjector against
the injection site (thigh or buttocks). DO NOT inject the areas close to the hips, knee, or
thigh bone. Inject the antidote only into the upper outer portion of the casualty's
buttocks. This avoids hitting the nerve that crosses the buttocks. Hitting this nerve can
cause paralysis.
f. Administer Injection. Inject the casualty by applying firm pressure to
injector until it pushes the needle into the injection site. Hold the injector in place for at
least 10 seconds. DO NOT use jabbing motion when injecting. It may result in injury to
the casualty.
g. Remove Injector. Carefully pull the injector straight out from the injection
site, and massage the site if time permits.
2-8.
ATTACH USED AUTOINJECTORS TO CASUALTY'S CLOTHING
The used autoinjectors are attached to the casualty's clothing in a location where
they will be quickly seen when the casualty receives treatment by other medical
personnel. The autoinjectors will quickly indicate what kind of medication and how
much medication the soldier has received. This information will help in providing
additional care to the casualty. Be careful to avoid tearing or puncturing your protective
gloves while sticking the needle through the flap and while bending the needle. Steps
for attaching the used autoinjectors to the casualty's clothing are given below.
MD0534
2-13