CW Field Decontamination Requirements.
Abstract
At all levels of command, first and second echelon decontamination by unit personnel, to include decontamination as a part of first aid, must be stressed. The toxicity of the G and V agents and the time required to accurately determine agent identity on the battlefield make it mandatory that any suspected contamination of unprotected personnel be decontaminated as soon as practicable. Personnel wearing a protective mask and two layers of properly impregnated clothing can in many situations be subjected to moderate levels of contamination without immediate risk to themselves, since impregnated clothing acts as an automatic decontaminating system. The chloramide powder bag system, expected to be available for issue in 1963, will provide an effective means for personnel decontamination. Equipment contaminated on the battlefield will be decontaminated only to the extent necessary to permit its continued use. DS-2 solution will provide an effective means for accomplishing this limited decontamination. In most instances decontamination of terrain is neither practical nor logistically feasible. Critical areas including command, control, and communication centers as well as medical aid stations and supply points will require third echelon decontamination. Within limitations, Engineer earth-moving equipment, supertropical bleach (STB), fire, and explosives provide a means for decontaminating these and other vital areas. Because toxic agents may be employed in any future war, personnel must be trained to perform their duties efficiently under all conditions envisaged in a toxic environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- ADA062238