LESSON 3
DECONTAMINATE AN NBC CASUALTY
3-1.
GENERAL
Medical personnel are responsible for the supervision of casualty
decontamination at MTFs. However, non-medical soldiers may be called upon to
augment a decontamination station as part of a decontamination team, which will be
supervised by medical personnel. As a medic, you will need to know how to
decontaminate the cut oft the casualty's hood, decontaminate a casualty's mask and
exposed skin, and cut off the mask, over garment, clothing, undergarment, and
accessories.
3-2.
DECONTAMINATE THE MASK, HOOD, AND EXPOSED SKIN
a. Cover the casualty's mask air inlets with clean gauze or sponges. If the
casualty is able to do this for himself, instruct him to do so.
b. Sponge down the front, sides, and top of the hood with a cellulose sponge
soaked with 5 percent calcium hypochlorite solution or use M258A1 or M291
decontamination kit.
(1) Medical equipment sets (MES) for the chemical agent patient
decontamination contains powdered calcium hypochlorite (high test hypochlorite or
HTH). The powdered hypochlorite is mixed with water to make the decontaminating
solution.
(2) Liquid chlorine bleach (household bleach) is a 5 percent solution of
hypochlorite and may be used as a substitute for HTH.
c. Uncover the air mask inlets.
I
d. Remove the hood (see Figure 3-1).
(1)
Dip the scissors in a 5 percent calcium hypochlorite solution.
(2)
Cut the neck cord.
(3)
Cut off the zipper cord.
(4)
Release or cut the hood straps.
(5)
Cut away the drawstring below the voicemitter.
MD0537
3-3