Military

(1) Strong winds caused by the passage of the shock wave propel objects such as tree limbs and debris through the air, turning them into destructive missiles.

(2) Exposed soldiers and structures are vulnerable to blast effects. Personnel inside structures can be hurt by the collapse of the structures; those outside can be hurt by flying debris or be picked up and thrown downwind by the blast wave.

(1) Heat. The intense heat starts Fires in buildings, forests, and flammable materials. Such fires may spread quickly because of the burning debris scattered by the blast. The heat can also burn exposed skin, even at long ranges.

(2) Light. The light produced by the detonation can cause temporary or permanent blindness. Temporary blindness, called dazzle, from a detonation in daylight may last 5 to 10 minutes. At night, the loss of vision will last longer because the eyes will probably have adapted to the dark. The light can injure eyes permanently if it causes burns within the eye itself. This is apt to occur to those soldiers who are looking in the direction of the fireball at the instant of detonation.

(1) Initial. This is radiation emitted within the first minute after detonation. It travels at the speed of light and damages human tissue and blood-forming cells. Since initial nuclear radiation travels so fast, the only way to be protected from it is to be in a protected position before the detonation.

(2) Residual. This is radiation that lasts after the first minute. It consists mostly of neutron-induced radiation and fallout.

(1) All soldiers must be trained in the use and maintenance of these devices and in techniques of radiological monitoring and survey.

(2) Radiological monitoring and survey starts on the order of the CO or IAW the SOP. When a contaminated area is detected, the radiological monitoring and survey personnel mark the area with radiological contamination markers. They also record and report to the CO the radiation dose rates and the time and location of each reading. The company NBC NCO consolidates these reports and sends the information to battalion, using the NBC 4 report.

(3) The radiological monitoring and survey personnel conduct either periodic or continuous monitoring (FM 3-3). During periodic monitoring, they monitor different points within the company area at least once each hour. They conduct continuous monitoring when--

• The company gets a fallout warning.
• The company is moving.
• A nuclear detonation is reported, seen, or heard.
• Radiation above 1 cGy per hour is detected by periodic monitoring.
• Ordered by the commander.

(4) Continuous monitoring stops on order from the commander or when the dose rate falls below 1 cGy per hour (except for units on the move, since they could enter a contaminated area anytime en route).

(1) Chemical attack. For full protection against liquid chemical agents, soldiers must wear their protective masks and hoods and chemical-protective overgarments, overboots, and gloves (FM 3-4).

(2) Biological attack. The best defense against biological agents is strict enforcement of all preventive medical and field sanitation measures along with high standards of personal hygiene. The duty uniform and gloves protect against bites from insects (such as mosquitoes and ticks) that may carry disease-causing germs. Clothing should be buttoned and trouser legs should be tucked into the boots. Covering the skin reduces the possibility of biological agents entering the body through cuts and scratches. It also keeps disease-carrying insects from reaching the skin. Insect repellents and insecticides are effective against most disease-carrying insects. High standards of sanitation also improve protection against some insects.

(1) Nerve agents. The symptoms of nerve-agent poisoning are unexplained runny nose, blurred vision, tightness in the chest, difficulty in breathing, drooling, nausea, twitching, and convulsions. The injection of a nerve agent antidote is the first-aid measure for soldiers showing symptoms of nerve-agent poisoning. A soldier gives himself the contents of one nerve agent antidote kit when he experiences these symptoms. If symptoms persist after 5 to 10 minutes, a buddy may administer additional kits as required.

(2) Blister agents. The symptoms of blister-agent poisoning are redness of the skin in 4 to 6 hours and blisters in 6 to 12 hours after exposure. These symptoms may be delayed for several hours or days, depending on the type agent used. There is no first aid for blister-agent poisoning other than decontamination. If burns or blisters develop after decontamination, soldiers cover the area with sterile gauze or a clean cloth to prevent infection. The blisters should not be broken. However, if they break, they should be treated as open wounds.

(3) Blood agents. The symptoms of blood-agent poisoning are increased breathing rate, dull throbbing headache, and nausea. There is no self-aid or buddy treatment for blood agent symptoms; victims must seek medical treatment.

(4) Choking agents. The symptoms of choking-agent poisoning are coughing, choking, nausea, and headache. The first aid for choking-agent poisoning is to keep the affected soldier still, warm, and comfortable. He should not be moved unless necessary.

(1) Chetizicalageiit.AsoldierhasanM258AIskin decontaminating kit. (See FM 3-5 for instructions on the use of this kit.)

(2) Biological agent. Soldiers decontaminate themselves by showering with soap and hot water. Germicidal soaps are used if available. The nails should be thoroughly cleaned, and the hairy parts of the body should be scrubbed. Contaminated clothing is washed in hot, soapy water if it cannot be sent to a field laundry; cotton items may be boiled. Soldiers wash their contaminated equipment in hot, soapy water and allow it to air out.

(3) Equipment and vehicles. Equipment, individual weapons, and clothing can be decontaminated with the M258Al decon kit.

(1) Chemical contamination. Before conducting the crossing, the CO must plan for a hasty decontamination on the far side of the contaminated area, requiring clean MOPP suits and decontamination equipment. The unit must either carry this equipment or have it delivered to the decontamination site. The company crosses in MOPP4 using M9 chemical detection paper to indicate the presence of a liquid agent. After moving a safe distance beyond the contaminated area, the CO decides if he will conduct hasty decontamination by testing with the unit's detection equipment. If contamination is present, he must decide whether to continue the mission and decontaminate later or to do it now. To decontaminate now, the company conducts MOPP gear exchange and decontaminates their individual equipment. The unit than moves a minimum of 500 meters to a clean location and tests for chemical contamination. If no chemical contamination is detected, the company begins unmasking procedures to reduce the MOPP level. When they finish, the CO establishes the appropriate MOPP level and continues the mission. If the company has excessive amounts of liquid contamination on their weapons and equipment, it may be impossible to decontaminate properly with the available decontamination kits and equipment. If this occurs, the unit will be required to continue the mission while still in MOPP4.

(2) Radiological contamination. The primary concern is to avoid the areas of highest radioactivity and to cross the others as quickly as possible. The soldiers must avoid inhaling radioactive dust or particles by covering their mouths with a damp rag or wearing their protective masks if nothing else is available. If the crossing is expected to be very dusty, the MOPP suits may be worn to assist the decontamination on the far side. During the crossing, check individual soldier's dosimeters to ensure the OEG is not exceeded. Once across, the unit moves a safe distance away from the area (500 meters) where the CO determines the extent of soldier/vehicle contamination and decides whether to perform decontamination now or later. Decontamination is conducted by removing all dust and dirt that may have been picked up by the unit during its crossing. If MOPP suits were worn, they must be discarded. If protective masks were worn during the crossing, the filters must be replaced.

(1) Wet weather gear with chemical gloves, wet weather boots, and protective masks. This ensemble protects the soldier well against all vapor agents, but not well against liquids. Liquid agents penetrate these garments much quicker then the MOPP suit. Once contaminated, the wet weather clothing is discarded because it cannot be decontaminated and reused.

(2) BDUs with chemical gloves, wet weather boots, and protective masks. The BDUs should be taped to the gloves and boots. This ensemble gives marginal protection against liquids and mustard agent vapors. Once contaminated, the BDU material is penetrated very quickly and must be removed and discarded.

(3) Poncho with wet weather boots and protective mask. The poncho can be used as a garment, or over a fighting or sleeping position as a disposable cover. It is penetrated very quickly by liquid agents and must be discarded after being contaminated.

(4) MOPP suits are not always essential. When attacked with nonpersistent nerve, choking, riot control, and blood agents--the protective mask alone will provide adequate protection as long as no liquid agent is present.