GAS MASK PAGE:
CHEMICAL DEFENSE EQUIPMENT
This overview is divided into four sections:
Detection and Alarms
Patient Protective Equipment
Listed under each item are the 13-digit stock number for the item
and the TM describing the use and maintenance of the item.
This section includes standard "A" chemical defense equipment
(CDE) issued to each soldier which consists of the following:
M17A2 Protective Mask
M24 and M25A1 Protective Masks
M40 and M42 Protective Masks
Battle Dress Overgarment
Chemical Protective Gloves and Overboots
Mask, Chemical-Biological: Field,
The M17A2 protective mask is designed to protect the wearer from
field concentrations of all known chemical and biological agents
and riot control agents. When worn correctly, the mask will protect
the face, eyes, and respiratory tract. Wearing the ABCM6A2
Hood (4240000218695) attached to the M17A2 mask further
protects the soldier's head, neck, and shoulder areas.
The protective mask contains two M13A2 Filter Elements (4240001655026).
Filtration through these elements involves two separate but complimentary
mechanisms: 1) impaction and adsorption of agent molecules onto
ASC Whetlerite Carbon filtration media and 2) impaction on a high
efficiency particulate air filter paper of particles with an average
diameter of 0.3 microns.
Maintenance and, when necessary, replacement, of the crucial filter
elements are of the utmost priority. The filters must be replaced
whenever any of the following occurs:
the elements are immersed in water;
the elements are crushed, cut, or otherwise damaged;
excessive breathing resistance is encountered;
the "ALL CLEAR" signal is given after exposure to AC (hydrogen
cyanide) or CK (cyanogen chloride);
30 days elapse in the combat theater of operations (the filters
must be replaced every 30 days);
Supply Bulletin 3302 indicates lot number expiration;
when ordered by the unit commander.
Two styles of optical inserts for the protective mask are available
for soldiers requiring visual correction. The M17 optical insert
(6540-01-060-0611), which has a wire frame, is considered the safer
of the two and is more easily fitted into the mask; a prong-type
optical insert (6540009356573) is also available.
Fitting the drinking tube of the mask into the M1 canteen cap
(4240009302077) allows the wearer to drink while
in a chemical environment, but restriction of fluid intake to water
obtained in this manner is likely to lead to dehydration, especially
when protective clothing must be worn in a hot environment. Drinking
before anticipated donning of the mask must therefore be enforced
through the use of command directed drinking.
NOTE: Before the wearer drinks via the M-1 cap and the drinking
tube, he must verify by using M8 Chemical Detection Paper that the
canteen and coupling half are not contaminated. Task 031-503-1006
STP 21-1-SMCT, October 1990.
Mask, ChemicalBiological: Aircraft, ABCM24
Mask, ChemicalBiological: Tank, M25A1
Each of these masks, properly fitted and worn, protects the wearer's
face, eyes, and respiratory tract from field concentrations of all
known chemical and biological agents and riot control agents. The
ABCM7 protective hood (4240000218695) used with
the M24 mask or the ABCM5 protective hood (4240008608987)
used with the M25A1 mask will in addition protect the head, the
neck, and the shoulders. The aviator draws the M7 hood over his
helmet after first donning the M24 mask. Filtered air for each of
these masks arrives through a hose attached by a metal connector
and coupling to an M10A1 CB canister (4240001277186)
containing the same ASC Whetlerite carbon found in the M13A2 filter
elements of the M17A2 mask. The M10A1 CB canister must be changed
whenever one of the following occurs:
the coupling or the connector is bent or heavily rusted;
the coupling-to-canister connection is not tight;
the canister has cracks, breaks, or dents over 1/4 inch deep;
over 10% of the seams are corroded;
the canister has been immersed in water;
excessive resistance to breathing is encountered;
Supply Bulletin 3302 indicates lot number expiration;
60 days have elapsed after exposure to a toxic chemical agent.
Only the prong-type of optical insert fits the M24 and M25A1 masks
and because neither mask possesses a drinking tube, wearers must
become familiar with the standard procedure detailed in STP 211SMCT,
October 1990, Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks, Task # 0315031006:
Drink From Canteen While Wearing Your Protective Mask. Differences
between the masks include the following:
The ABC-M24 mask has an M8 oxygen supply adapter (4240008486074)
to be used at altitudes requiring oxygen or when using a bailout
The M133/U microphone for the M24 mask and the M116G microphone
for the M25A1 mask permit use of the on board intercom system and
the vehicle radios, respectively.
The M17 carrier for the M24 mask is worn on the right side to prevent
interference with controls, especially on fixed-wing aircraft; the
M13A1 carrier is worn on the left side.
ChemicalBiological Mask: Field M40
ChemicalBiological Mask: Combat Vehicle M42
When properly fitted and worn, each of these masks will protect
the wearer's face, eyes, and respiratory tract from field concentrations
of all known chemical and biological agents and riot control agents.
The CB hood (4240-01-260-8723) affords additional protection for
the head, neck, and shoulders.
Because both the M40 and M42 masks have drinking tubes positioned
around the outlet valve assembly, it is possible to drink water
in a chemically contaminated environment. First, the soldier must
use M8 paper to verify that the M-1 canteen cap is not contaminated
before attaching the drinking tube to the cap. Wearers operating
armored vehicles will thus be able to drink water in a contaminated
The only optical insert approved for use in the M40 mask or the
M42 mask is a wire-frame type (6540-01-253-8169).
Innovations in these masks include the following:
Each mask is molded with two voicemitters, one in the front of the
mask and one over the cheek. The cheek voicemitter allows the use
of the radiotelephone handset without any interference from
the protective mask and is interchangeable with the cheek filter
Each mask uses a NATO standard external filter canister (4240011192315)
of the same type used by both Germany and England. The unit NBC
NCO may position the canister either on the soldier's right cheek
or on his left cheek to allow him to fire the M16A2 rifle from his
left or right shoulder, respectively.
Each protective mask is molded in silicone rubber to allow easy
fitting of all wearers, including those who require an extrasmall
Each mask is made with an inturned sealing surface around the
entire inner edge of the mask. This allows for a more comfortable
seal on the soldier's face.
The eyelenses in each of these masks are 35% larger than the M17A2
mask eyelenses and permit greater range of vision.
Battle Dress Overgarment (BDO)
8415011371700: XXXSmall 8415011371704:Medium
8415011371701: XXSmall 8415011371705:
8415011371702: XSmall 8415011371706:XLarge
8415011371703: Small 8415011371707:XXLarge
Desert Battle Dress Overgarment (DBDO)
8415-01-324-3084: XXX-Small 8415-01-324-3088: Medium
8415-01-324-3085: XX-Small 8415-01-324-3089: Large
8415-01-324-3086: X-Small 8415-01-324-3090: X-Large
8415-01-324-3097: Small 8415-01-324-3091: XX-Large
Desert Battle Dress Overgarment (DBDO)
8415-01-327-5346: XXX-Small 8415-01-327-5350: Medium
8415-01-327-5347: XX-Small 8415-01-327-5351: Large
8415-01-327-5348: X-Small 8415-01-327-5352: X-Large
8415-01-327-5349: Small 8415-01-327-5353: XX-Large
The BDO and DBDO have been designed with new features that increase
protection in a chemical environment and that make wearing the suit
less of a heat burden. The suit has more activated charcoal than
the previous model, a novel outer cloth weave, and a outer cloth
"scotchguard" type treatment, resistant to liquid
chemical agents. Because of the increased amount of charcoal, the
BDO and DBDO can now be worn in an uncontaminated environment for
30 days following removal of the garment from its vapor-protective
bag; this wear time may be extended past 30 days at the discretion
of the unit commander. The suit may be worn for 24 hours in a contaminated
area, but once the suit has been contaminated, the wearer must replace
the suit by using the MOPP gear exchange procedure described in
STP 211SMCT, Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks, October
1990, Task # 0315031023, Exchange MOPP Gear. The discarded
BDO must be incinerated or buried.
The BDO/DBDO is presently produced in both woodland and desert camouflage
patterns. The suits have large butyl rubber patches sewn into the
elbows and knees to prevent liquid chemical agents from penetrating
the suit at these points.
The BDO/DBDO adds approximately 11 pounds to the weight already
carried by the soldier. In addition, the BDO prevents heat exchange
with the environment and may add add, depending on the wearer's
level of exertion, 10EF to 15EF to his ambient temperature and heat
burden. When wearing the BDO/DBDO at MOPP 1 or MOPP 2 and complete
encapsulation is not required, certain modifications to the uniform
The trouser leg closures may be unzipped.
The waist tabs loosened.
The jacket unzipped.
The sleeve velcro closures opened.
This overall loosening of the BDO/DBDO will allow heat to escape
as walking and other movements induce a bellows action of the suit
against underlying clothing and skin. Because of the weight of the
BDO/DBDO, field suspenders (8440-00-221-0852) should be used to
allow support of the trousers and as much comfort as is possible.
Chemical Protective Gloves & Overboots
Gloves, 0.025in thickness
8415-01-144-1862 - X-Small
Gloves, 0.014in thickness
8415-01-138-2497 - Small
8415-01-138-2498 - Medium
8415-01-138-2499 - Large
8415-01-138-2500 - X-Large
Gloves, Tactile 0.007in thickness
8415-01-138-2501 - Small
8415-01-138-2502 - Medium
8415-01-138-2503 - Large
8415-01-138-2504 - X-Large
Green Vinyl Overboots (GVO)
8430-01-048-6305 - Size 3 8430-01-049-0882 - Size 9
8430-01-048-6306 - Size 4 8430-01-049-0883 - Size 10
8430-01-049-0878 - Size 5 8430-01-049-0884 - Size 11
8430-01-049-0879 - Size 6 8430-01-049-0885 - Size 12
8430-01-049-0880 - Size 7 8430-01-049-0886 - Size 13
The chemical protective gloves are made from butyl rubber and are
impermeable to chemical agents. The GVO is made from vinyl which
will protect the wearer against NBC agents and environmental effects.
Both may also be decontaminated and reissued. Both the 0.025in thick
and 0.014in thick gloves and GVO boots, when worn with the leather
combat boot, can be used for 24 hours in a contaminated environment.
After a complete visual inspection and decontamination with a 5%
HTH solution they may be worn again. The 0.007in thick tactile gloves
must be inspected and deconned with the 5% HTH solution within 6
hours after being in a contaminated environment. Once deconned the
0.007in thick tactile gloves may be re-used. In an uncontaminated
environment, the gloves and boots can be used for 14 days and if
found to be serviceable after a thorough inspection can be used
for 14 days more. When working with petroleum products care must
be taken not to allow these products to contact the boots and gloves.
Should petroleum products contaminate the boots and gloves, wipe-off
and air dry the boots or gloves within two minutes. If this can
not happen within two minutes then new boots or gloves must be obtained
The green vinyl overboots are authorized for wear in a contaminated
environment, but when the green vinyl is contaminated by a liquid
agent, the agent will desorb as a vapor over a prolonged period
of time. Decontamination of the rain boots while on chemically contaminated
terrain would involve almost constant interruption of the mission
and would in most cases be impractical. Therefore the desorption
of agent vapors from the GVO must be taken into account when conducting
unmasking procedures or entrance procedures into a collective protection
The gloves and the boots pose safety hazards. The 0.025in thick
and 0.014in thick gloves degrade tactile ability and in a cold environment
will not provide adequate protection against cold injury. The 0.007in
thick gloves have been produced to answer the need for selected
personnel to have excellent tactile ability while wearing these
gloves, but offer no protection from cold. These thin gloves must
be issued along with the 0.025in thick gloves and only worn while
performing those tasks requiring good tactile use of the hands and
For further information on these items see FM 3-4, NBC Protection,
29 May 1992, Chapter 1. Individual Protective Equipment.
The preceding section provided an overview of the primary items
of chemical defense equipment which, when used correctly, will prevent
contact with agent in typical battlefield concentrations. The problem
of decontamination arises when some soldiers, because of bad training,
bad discipline, or bad luck, become exposed to liquid agent despite
the availability of protective masks and clothing. This section
addresses the two skin decontamination kits and one equipment decontamination
kit that are currently in the inventory.
The kits are fairly simple in design and function, and instructions
for their use are straightforward and easily committed to memory.
Because of the potency of liquid nerve agents and the rapidly occurring
tissue damage caused by vesicants, every soldier must be able to
conduct an effective decontamination of all exposed skin automatically
and without referring to the instructions printed on the kits.
The kits are
Decontamination Kit, Skin: M291
Decontamination kit, Individual equipment, M295
Decontamination Kit, Skin: M258A1
Decontaminating Kit, Skin: M291
The introduction of this kit marks a new approach to skin decontamination.
The M291 kit consists of six identical packets each containing a
mixture of activated resins. This resin mixture both adsorbs liquid
chemical agents present on the soldier's skin and neutralizes agents.
The mixture consists of a adsorbent resin, a resin containing sulfonic
acid, and a hydroxylamine-containing resin. After masking, the soldier
opens any packet from the kit, removes the applicator pad, and applies
an even coating of resin powder while scrubbing the entire skin
area suspected to be contaminated. One applicator pad will decontaminate
both hands and the face if necessary. If the face must be decontaminated,
then the neck (including the throat area) and the ears must also
be decontaminated using a second applicator pad.
The black resin powder residue will provide a visual confirmation
of the thoroughness of application and will not cause any skin irritation
even after prolonged contact with skin. However, normal precautions
must be observed so that the powder does not enter open wounds,
the mouth, or the eyes. This kit will also be used for training;
no training aid will be produced. The issue is 20 - M291 Skin Decon
Kits per box.
Decontamination Kit, Individual Equipment: M295 (DKIE)
The M295 DKIE allows for the decontamination of individual equipment
through physical removal and absorption of chemical agent with no
long term harmful side effects. The kit consists of a carrying pouch
containing four individual decon packets, enough to do two complete
individual equipment decontaminations. Each packet contains a mitt
filled with the same decon powder used in the M291 SDK. Two packets
will decon the protective gloves, M16A2 rifle, the chemical protective
helmet cover, the protective mask hood, load carrying equipment
(LCE) and accessories, the mask carrying case and the protective
The decon mitt will only remove surface liquid contamination. The
equipment which has been decontaminated can still pose a vapor hazard,
due to absorbed liquid chemical agent desorbing as a vapor.
The M295 DKIE will issued to the squad at its lowest point of issue.
The M295 DKIE is packaged in a "squad box" with 80 kits
in each box. The squad members should be given at least one kit
and the packets for one complete decontamination can be carried
in the cargo pocket of the BDO trouser.
As with the M291 SDK, the M295 DKIE will be used for both training
Decontamination Kit, Skin: M258A1
Training Aid, Skin Decontaminating: M58A1
6910011132434 Refill Kit M58A1
The M258A1 skin decontamination kit is currently the standard item
for the removal and neutralization of liquid chemical agents on
the skin. This kit contains three No. 1 packets and three No. 2
packets. Packet No. 1 adsorbs and neutralizes the G-type nerve agents,
whereas Packet No. 2 adsorbs and neutralizes the nerve agent VX
and liquid mustard. The contents of the packets are as follows:
Packet No.1 Packet No. 2
Hydroxyethane 72(+ or - 2)% Chloramine B
Phenol 10(+ or - 0.5)% Hydroxyethane 45(+ or - 2)%
Sodium Hydroxide 5(+ or - 0.5)% Zinc Chloride 5(+ or - 0.5)%
Ammonia 0.2 " 0.05% Water
The soldier must remember that when using packet Number 1, one full
minute of wiping the contaminated area is needed. The soldier must
also remember that wiping with packet Number 2 must continue for
two minutes. Speed and accuracy are critical in the proper use of
this kit, and the soldier must have committed the decontamination
procedure to memory. The decontamination solution is a skin-burn
hazard in sensitive areas of the body and must be kept out of the
eyes, the mouth, and any open wounds. The kit must also be protected
from freezing and from prolonged exposure to temperatures greater
than 110 F, and the glass ampoules in Packet No. 2 must be protected
from premature breakage, which could render the kit useless. None
of these disadvantages characterize the M291 kit, which will soon
replace the M258A1 kit.
The M58A1 training aid was developed to avoid unnecessary exposure
to the caustic components of the M258A1 kit during training and
is used in the same manner as the M258A1 skin decontamination kit.
The training aid and the decontamination kit are distinguished by
packaging color: The M258A1 kit contains olive drab packets in an
olive drab plastic case whereas the M58A1 training aid contains
blue packets in a black plastic case. The content of the M58A1 packets
is 2propanol and water.
For further information on these items see FM 3-4, page 124, and
FM 3-5, NBC Decontamination, 17 November 1993, Chapter 2.
DETECTION AND ALARMS
This section will describe the equipment issued for detection and
identification of chemical agent liquid and vapor in the environment.
For both the individual soldier and the unit, these items of equipment
are the primary means of identifying the presence and type of chemicals
on the battlefield and of determining when a safe condition exists.
These equipment items are
Paper, CM Agent Detector: M8
Paper, CM Agent Detector: M9
Chemical Agent Detector Kit: M256A1
Chemical Agent Monitor
Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm: M8A1
Water Test Kit, Chemical Agents: M272
Paper, CM Agent Detector: M8
The M8 detector paper is the only way of identifying the type of
chemical agent present in liquid form on the battlefield. Each soldier
carries one booklet of M8 paper in the interior pocket of the protective
mask carrier. A soldier encountering an unknown liquid suspected
of being a chemical agent must don and check his mask and don the
attached hood within 15 seconds, alert others in the vicinity, and
then proceed to put on all of his chemical protective clothing.
He then removes the booklet of M8 paper from his mask carrier, tears
a half sheet from the booklet, and, if possible, affixes the sheet
to a stick. Using the stick as a handle, the soldier then blots
the paper onto the unknown liquid and waits for 30 seconds for a
color change. The resulting color may then be compared to the colors
on the inside of the front cover of the booklet to identify the
type of liquid agent encountered.
G: Nonpersistent nerve: Yellow
H: Blister: Red
V: Persistent Nerve: Olive Green or Black
False positive can occur if liquid insecticides are on the surface
being tested. Antifreeze and petroleum products will also cause
Paper, CM Agent Detector: M9
The M9 detector paper detects the presence of liquid chemical agent
but does not identify either the specific agent or the type of agent
encountered. Each soldier carries one thirty-feet-long and two-inch-wide
roll of M9 paper with adhesive backing to facilitate wrapping a
strip of the paper around a sleeve and a trouser leg of the BDO.
(Because the indicator dye in the paper is a potential carcinogen,
gloves should be worn during application, and the paper should not
contact the skin.) The paper is a dull off-white or cream color
in the absence of liquid agent but contains an indicator chemical
that when dissolved in liquid agent turns a reddish color. When
the soldier sees this color change, he must immediately mask, alert
others, and, if there is any possibility of skin exposure, proceed
immediately with skin decontamination.
The M9 paper will detect nerve-agent or blister-agent droplets as
small as 100 microns in diameter. False positive may be seen if
the paper is exposed to antifreeze, liquid insecticide, or petroleum
products. The soldier's attention to possible interfering substances
on the battlefield can help in the later interpretation of a color
change in the M9 paper in the absence of confirmatory tests for
agents but does not relieve him of the obligation to mask and take
other appropriate measures immediately after seeing a color change
in the detector paper.
Chemical Agent Detector Kit: M256A1
Simulator, Detector Tickets,
Chemical Agents: Training, M256A1
The M256A1 Chemical Agent Detection Kit is designed to detect and
identify chemical agents present either as liquid or as vapor and
consists of a) a booklet of M8 paper (previously described) to detect
agents in liquid form and b) twelve foil-wrapped detector tickets
containing eel enzymes as reagents to detect even very low concentrations
of chemical vapors. Instructions for the use of the detector tickets
appear on the outside of each of the foil packets and in a separate
instruction booklet in the kit. The following chart shows the agents
detected by the M256A1 Kit:
Agent Detected Symbol Class
Hydrogen Cyanide AC "Blood" (cyanide)
Cyanogen Chloride CK "Blood" (cyanide)
Mustard H Blister
Nitrogen Mustard HN Blister
Distilled Mustard HD Blister
Phosgene Oxime CX Blister
Lewisite L Blister
Nerve Agents V and G Series Nerve
By following the directions on the foil packets or in the instruction
booklet, a soldier can conduct a complete test with the liquid-sensitive
M8 paper and the vapor-sensitive detector ticket in approximately
20 minutes. During the test, the ticket must be kept out of direct
sunlight, which speeds evaporation of the reagents; evaporation
is also accelerated by waving the detector ticket in the air, so
the ticket should be held stationary during all parts of the test.
The M256A1 trainer simulator was developed to provide realistic
training while avoiding unnecessary exposure to potentially carcinogenic
reagents in the M256A1 detector kit. The M256A1 trainer contains
36 preengineered detector tickets and a instruction booklet.
The preengineered detector tickets show color changes comparable
to those seen when the M256A1 detector kit is used in clean or contaminated
environments. Each training aid detector ticket has a specific code
printed on the outside of the foil package. A list of codes is also
printed on the inside of the training aid box under the lid, and
instructions for the use of the simulator are also included. The
MARK SIMULATED TEST FOR
T-400 SAFE; "ALL CLEAR" No NERVE, BLISTER, or BLOOD
T-401 DANGER NERVE: G agents or VX.
T-402 DANGER BLISTER: HD (sulfur mustard).
T-403 DANGER BLISTER: CX (phosgene oxime).
T-404 DANGER BLOOD: AC (hydrogen cyanide) or CK (cyanogenchloride).
(STRONG RXN indicates AC or CK in HIGH CONC)
T-404A DANGER BLOOD: AC (hydrogen cyanide) or CK (cyanogen
chloride). (WEAK RXN indicates AC or CK in LOW CONC)
Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM)
The CAM, which is used to detect nerve and blister agents as vapors
only, uses a 10-mCi nickel63 (Ni63) beta-particle radiation
source to ionize airborne agent molecules that have been drawn into
the unit by a pump. The resulting ion clusters vary in mass and
charge and thus also travel at different rates in an applied electrical
field. Comparison of the mobilities of the different ionic species
to electronically stored standards allows an onboard microcomputer
to determine the type of agent and its relative concentration. A
liquid crystal display (LCD) presents these data as a series of
concentration-dependent bars in a G mode for G agents and VX and
in an H mode for blister agents.
The CAM detects agent vapor in that volume of air drawn by the pump
into the sampling chamber of the instrument. It follows that the
inlet port must not come into contact with a suspected area of evaporating
agent on a surface but must nevertheless approach within a few inches
of the site of suspected contamination. Because of the variation
in agent concentration from one spot to another depending upon wind
velocity and other environmental factors, numerical displays of
agent concentration in typical units would be impractical and unreliable.
Accordingly, the display warns of a low vapor hazard (1 - 3 bars
visible), a high vapor hazard (4 to 6 bars visible), or a very high
vapor hazard (7 - 8 bars).
Chemical Agent Alarm: M8A1
The M8A1 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm (ACAA) is the only remote
continuous air sampling alarm in the U.S. Army at present. This
alarm will sample the air for the presence of NERVE agent vapors
(GA, GB, GD and VX) only. The M8A1 alarm uses 0.01 millicurie of
americium241 (Am241), a source of alpha particles, to ionize
airborne agent molecules drawn into the sampling chamber by a pump
module. A detector cell analyzes the resulting ion clusters and
compares their masses and charges with electronically stored standards
to detect the presence of nerve agent vapors; the operator may specify
whether the alarm itself is audible, visual, or both.
The system consists of the M43A1 detector, as many as five M42 alarm
units, and various power supplies. The detector cell and alarm units
are most commonly found in a fixed-site configuration. Normally,
the M43A1 detectors are placed facing into the wind no more than
150 meters outside the unit perimeter, with no more than 300 meters
between detectors and when possible no more than 400 meters between
the detector cells and the alarm units. WD1/TT 6145-00-226-8812
telephone cable connects the detector cells and the alarm units.
The alarm units are placed throughout the facility. A typical Mobile
Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) has three M8A1 ACAAs, and a Combat
Support Hospital (CSH) has seven M8A1 ACAAs.
Water Testing Kit, Chemical Agents: M272
The M272 water test kit was designed and fielded to answer the need
for a test to detect water contamination by nerve agent, blister
agent, cyanide ("blood" agent), or lewisite. The kit will
operate between 32EF and 125EF. An enclosed instruction card enables
a soldier to conduct all the tests required to identify the threat
agents. The kit will detect the following chemical agents at the
Chemical Agent Symbol(s) Concentration (mg/l)*
Cyanide AC 20.0 as CN
Mustard HD 2.0
Lewisite L 2.0 as As+++
Nerve G/V 0.02 -
* Concentration reliably detected by kit tests. Water containing
agents in lesser concentrations is permissible for short-term use
(up to 7 days) in both cold and warm regions as long as the daily
consumption per person does not exceed 5 quarts. Each kit contains
enough reagents for tests on 25 separate water samples. The operator
can easily conduct the full range of tests in 20 minutes when the
temperature is between 50EF and 105EF; at lower temperatures, the
water samples and the nerve agent ticket should both be warmed for
10 minutes before beginning testing. Water that is too hot may cause
foaming in the detector tubes for lewisite, mustard, and cyanide;
so water at temperatures between 105EF and 125EF should be cooled
for at least five minutes to reduce its temperature to 105E or cooler.
PATIENT PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
In this section three items that have been fielded will be discussed.
They are the
Patient Protective Wrap
Resuscitation Device Individual Chemical (RDIC)
Patient Protective Wrap
AMEDD doctrine calls for the treatment as far forward as possible
of casualties from the integrated battlefield. Because treatment
often mandates removal of the BDO and precludes donning replacement
BDOs, a patient protective wrap has been developed. This wrap is
sturdy and lightweight, weighing approximately 2.7 kg, and it protects
the patient from all known chemical agents for up to six continuous
hours. It is not designed for use by more than one patient and must
be discarded after use.
Easy patient insertion into the wrap is provided by one continuous
zipper around the outer edge of the top sheet, and observation of
the patient is possible through an impermeable transparent window
at the head of the wrap. Below the window, a small transparent pocket
is large enough to hold a field medical card or other medical record,
and two protected sleeves next to the window permit the passage
of IV tubing.
The wrap is designed to be used on a litter but can itself become
a field-expedient litter if necessary. Along the sides of the wrap
are sleeves through which poles can be inserted; these sleeves have
handholds for manual carries when poles are not available. It is
recommended that the patient wear the mask while in the wrap, but
this is not a requirement. However, before the casualty is put into
the wrap a cardboard insert must first be placed into the wrap to
hold the window material away from the patient's face.
Although the protective wrap is permeable to both oxygen and carbon
dioxide, the rate at which carbon dioxide is produced by a typical
patient exceeds by a small amount the rate at which this gas passes
through the wrap; and for this reason the patient should not be
left in the wrap for longer than the recommended maximum of six
Contaminated casualties arriving at a medical treatment location
will in most cases require decontamination prior to definitive treatment.
This decontamination process will require the use of the limited
supplies of equipment organic to the treatment unit. Ideally, equipment
in limited supply should be capable of complete decontamination
using field-available methods. However, in tests conducted by the
Chemical Research, Development & Engineering Center (CRDEC),
canvas litters exposed to liquid blister agents and then decontaminated
still desorbed vapors for 72 hours after all surface contaminants
The decontaminable litter was thus developed to replace the canvas
litters currently in use. The new litter is made from a monofilament
polypropylene that has high tensile strength and low elasticity.
The fabric does not absorb liquid chemical agents and is not degraded
by decontaminating solutions. The fabric is flame retardant, highly
rip resistant, and treated to withstand exposure to weather and
sunlight. The fabric has a honeycomb weave which results in a rough
non-slip surface, and liquids easily pass through the 40% of the
surface area that is open. The carrying handles retract into the
metal pole frame, for a closed total length of 83.5 in (212.1 cm),
to allow for loading the litter onto the UH60 helicopter. The
handles have two open positions, 90.0 in (228.1 cm) and 91.6 in
(232.7 cm). The first position is a NATO standard and the second
position was provided to allow increased gripping comfort by litter
bearers. The aluminum poles have been designed to provide direct
gripping surfaces for litter stanchions. All metal parts have been
painted with Chemical Agent Resistant Coating (CARC) paint.
Resuscitation Device, Individual Chemical
The Resuscitation Device, Individual Chemical (RDIC) is a ventilatory
system consisting of a compressible butyl rubber bag, a NATO standard
C2 canister filter, a nonrebreathing valve, a cricothyroid cannula
adapter and a flexible hose connected to an oropharyngeal mask.
The mask is removable from the distal end of the flexible hose for
connection of the hose to the cannula adapter. The butyl rubber
bag resists the penetration of liquid chemical agent which may be
on the chemical protective gloves of operator and is easily decontaminated.
The elasticity of the outer cover limits airway pressure to a maximal
value of 70 cm H2O (70 mbar). The device will deliver up to 600ml
of filtered air per cycle at a rate of 30 cycles per minute.
The RDIC will be fielded 1 per air ambulance, 1 per ground ambulance
and 1 per Chemical Agent Treatment, MES.