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CHEMICAL ATTACK PROCEDURES
& DECONTAMINATION
Copyright JRH Enterprises 1997
These threats pose a challenge to all survivalists. We must learn how NBC warfare may be used against us, and what measures we can take to protect ourselves from the threat.Despite recent chemical weapons bans, nuclear treaties, etc., the aspect of NBC protection cannot be overlooked. May I remind you that the enemy will use whatever means necessary to achieve their goals.
In this class we will concentrate primarily on chemical protection and decontamination in the field. An entire other class could be devoted to nuclear and biological protection. Chemical weapons can be very effective against groups not trained and equipped to protect themselves from chemical attack. Chemicals can be delivered via gas, liquid or aerosol. Most common methods are through rockets, bombs, artillery or aircraft spray.In general there are two types of agents: persistent and non-persistent. Non-persistent agents, also called blood agents will remain on you for minutes while persistent agents also known as blister agents can remain for weeks. Some agents will cause immediate pain or incapacitation; others take a while and show no immediate effects. Non-persistent types will be most likely used as they are fast acting and leave the area quickly. The enemy will use a persistent type chemical if they want to deny the areas future use. For example: a strategic pass can be gassed with a persistent chemical so the enemy will not be able to pass for several weeks.
Every person facing the possibility of chemical attack should buy or improvise the materials needed to protect themselves from chemical weapons.
Types of chemical agents and how they affect the body
We have it good in a warm climate because chemical weapons will degrade faster in a warmer environment. Wind and rain will also help disperse chemicals.Note: there are different agents for each type of agent; nerve agents are either g-agents or v-agents. Since the survivor will not likely have the equipment necessary to determine the exact type of agent used I have kept their main classifications.
Nerve Agents (g-agents, v-agents) have a persistence of 15 minutes to 1 week in a warm environment; they have a very quick rate of action and enter the body through the eyes and lungs for aerosols and eyes, skin and mouth for liquids.
Choking Agents (cg, dp) persist for 1 to 10 minutes in a warm environment with an immediate rate of action using the lungs and eyes as the entrance.
Blister Agents (hd, hn, l, cx) have a persistence time of 3 days to several weeks. Rate of action varies from slow to very quick death depending on the exact type of agent used, which the survivor will most likely not be able to ascertain. These agents affect the eyes, skin, lungs and mouth.
Blood Agents (ac, ck) persist from 1 minute to 15 minutes in a warm environment and have a very quick rate of action acting primarily on the lungs, eyes and injured skin.
Note the main points of entrance into the body: lungs, eyes, mouth and skin. A gas mask and protective gear will cover these areas.
Temperature, wind speed, sunlight, humidity and rain all affect the persistency of chemical weapons.
Contamination Hazards
If you touch a surface covered with liquid or solid contamination you will pick up the contamination. This includes your field equipment, weapon, etc. The contamination will then spread from one place to another. Minimize this by deconning your gear and weapon after moving out of a contaminated area. There are also hazards from vapors; this includes any contamination you breathe. Vapors will dissipate quickly. Vapors will settle out of the air and coat the surface of anything they touch. As long as contamination remains on the surface it can continually generate new vapors. Liquids will evaporate. Vapor contamination usually causes surface contamination as well.
Another contamination hazard is by desorption. Most surfaces will quickly absorb liquid chemical contamination. After a time they begin to outgas. Low levels of vapor pass out of the contaminated surface into the air. This includes your car, weapon, etc. Wearing chemical protective gloves will help protect you against this danger. Decontaminate all materials you will be in contact with as soon as possible if possible. Lacking proper decontaminants, bleach can be used against many chemical agents. Wiping down your weapon with a bleach-soaked rag will help protect you from outgassing.
Detection
There are very few detection devices commonly available to non-military personnel. Even for military personnel these items are not common unless working with an NBC company.
Most commonly available military detection devices-
M8 Detection Paper And M9 Detection Paper
M8 paper detects and identifies liquid agents. It usually comes in a booklet of 25 sheets. The sheets turn dark green, yellow or red with contact of a liquid agent. The paper will not detect vapor! It must come in contact with a liquid agent.
M9 test paper is also used to detect the presence of liquid chemical agents. It also will not detect chemical agent vapors. It indicates the presence of a nerve agent or a blister agent by turning a reddish color. Note: you must read m9 paper with a white-light source.
M9 paper is self-adhesive and will attach to most surfaces. Attach it to your MOPP protective gear by placing it on your right arm, left wrist and your right or left ankle. This will allow a good representation of contamination encountered. Note: exposure to extremely high temperatures may produce false readings.
M8 paper is the best choice for the survivalist.
Actions To Take During A Chemical Attack
Since the survivalist may be without adequate means of detection the first warning may likely be his companions falling dead around him. Artillery rounds impacting with little explosive power and aircraft or helicopters with large tanks attached to their sides can also be warnings to take action. Seeing the enemy in protective gear is also a good warning.
The first course of action is to put on your gas mask, clear it and seal it. Stop breathing before putting on your mask. After putting on your mask inform others around you of the attack. "Gas, gas, gas!!!" Everyone should know that this doesn't mean Joe had two bean burritos for breakfast and follow your course of action.
Next, get yourself under any overhead cover available. This includes under trees, large bushes, etc. This will help protect you from liquid chemical contamination. Proceed next to put on your chemical protective gloves then the rest of your MOPP gear.
If you can determine the direction the chemical was released move upwind of the area as quickly as possible. As soon as possible after the attack, as situations permit, decontaminate.
Personal Decontamination Skills
Skin Decontamination Some chemicals can kill in a matter of minutes if they remain on your skin. The M258a1 decon kit is the best material available for skin decontamination. This kit consists of 6 decon wipes, 3 of which are labeled "wipe 1" and 3 labeled "wipe 2".
As before, be sure your mask and hood are on even if you have contamination on your face.
Seek overhead cover for further protection.
Use decon wipe 1 first. Loosen the hood on your mask so that you may get your hand up under it. Open wipe 1 and wipe hands first. Hold your breath, close your eyes and lift hood and mask from chin. Scrub up and down across face giving extra attention to your chin and the areas next to your nose and mouth. Do not scrub above or near the eyes! Scrub from ear to ear thoroughly. Turn your hand around and scrub the inside of your mask that touches your face. Don't wipe the lenses on the mask.
If you have to breathe anytime during the procedure, reseal, clear and check mask, and then continue. Next scrub your neck and ears and redo your hands.
Discard wipe 1 and repeat the same procedure with wipe 2 then put on your protective gloves.
It is also important to decontaminate the outside of your gas mask and hood and weapon. Do this after you have moved out of the contaminated area. To decontaminate your mask use the same procedure listed above except use decon wipe 2 first then use wipe 1.
The serious survivor should try to get hold of the M258a1 personal decontamination kits with a minimum of 1 person in your group/family. Lacking the M258a1 kit the survivor has a few choices of common materials to decontaminate with
*household bleach Sodium hypochlorite is effective against blister agents and all biological warfare materials. For bw allow 15 minutes contact. For chemical decontamination it reacts rapidly in 5 minutes or less. It is harmful to skin if undiluted. Remove from skin and clothing by flushing with water. It can be corrosive to weapons. After cleaning, rinse all metal, dry and lubricate. For bw dilute 2 parts bleach to 10 parts water. Shop rags could be used to wipe down materials with the bleach then the material can be rinsed with water. For larger items- i.e., vehicles, your home, etc. Consider getting a lawn/garden pump sprayer from Wal-Mart. This will allow you to spraydown a large area relatively quickly with coming in direct contact with the decontaminate.
*soap and water Most chemical and biological agents can be removed with good ol' soap and water. Having several heavy duty scrub brushes in your decon kit will help. Soap and water would be good for material such as your load bearing equipment, as applying bleach to this equipment will weaken it considerably. Be sure to rinse often and use some serious elbow grease.
*acetone fingernail polish remover, paint thinner - good for chemical agents only. It is extremely flammable. It does not neutralize agents but is effective is dissolving and flushing agent away. Scrub like crazy.
*ammonia Only effective against one class of chemical agents but could be used as a last resort. Special breathing equipment will be needed. Your regular gas mask is not effective against ammonia fumes. Generally not a good choice if other materials are available.
*water (H20) As a last resort flush surfaces with large amounts of water. This is effective primarily in removing contamination but will not neutralize the contamination.
For large surfaces, i.e., your home, vehicle, etc., a hand pump sprayer such as sold in garden centers could be used to disperse bleach unto contaminated surfaces. You would still have to flush the area with water after the bleach had 20 or 30 minutes to do its job. Using this procedure it would be wise to wear a poncho or rainsuit over your protective gear to avoid the bleach destroying the gear.
MOPP gear cannot be decontaminated. It will last up to 8 hours in a heavily contaminated area. After this length of exposure, the chemicals may start to break down the materials on the suit. After 8-10 hours you will have to change MOPP suits. This is best accomplished using the buddy system. The suit must be taken off carefully so the contamination on the outside of the suit does not recontaminate you. This procedure is called MOPP gear exchange.
Editors note: These were instructor's notes from a class recently given on chemical protection in the field. In a future article we will try to cover MOPP gear exchange in the field.
You may copy this report to give away if there is no molestation of the information and you give proper credit by leaving publisher's name, address and telephone number on reports. Do not copy these reports to sell!
JRH Enterprises
PO Box 317
West Green, GA 31567
(912) 375-1480
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