React to Chemical or Biological Hazard/Attack
Conditions, Standards, Performance Steps

Posted Monday, November 7, 2005

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You are given mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear, a protective mask, individual decontaminating kits, and a tactical environment in which CB weapons have been or may be used by the enemy. You are in MOPP1, and one or more of the following automatic masking criteria happens:

A chemical alarm sounds.

A positive reading is obtained on detector paper.

Individuals exhibit symptoms of CB agent poisoning.

You observe a contamination marker.

Your supervisor tells you to mask.

You see personnel wearing protective masks.

You observe other signs of a possible CB attack.

React to a chemical or biological hazard or attack without becoming a casualty. Identify chemical contamination markers with 100 percent accuracy, and notify supervisor. Start steps to decontaminate yourself within 1 minute of finding chemical contamination. Decontaminate your individual equipment after you completely decontaminate yourself.

1. Identify the CB hazard automatic masking criteria.

a. Don your protective mask when there is a high probability of a chemical attack, when-

A chemical alarm sounds.

A positive reading is obtained on detector paper.

Individuals exhibit symptoms of CB agent poisoning.

You observe a contamination marker.

Your supervisor tells you to mask.

You see personnel wearing protective masks.

You observe other signs of a possible CB attack.

Respond to the commander's policy of automatic masking.

Note. Commanders at all levels may establish a modified policy when chemical weapons have been employed by designating additional events as automatic masking criteria.

2. Protect yourself from CB contamination using your assigned protective mask without fastening the hood.

Note. The mask gives immediate protection against inhalation of agent vapors. Do not fasten the hood. Go to the next step immediately.

REMEMBER: STOP BREATHING FIRST!!!!

3. Give the alarm.

a. Yell "GAS."

b. Give the appropriate hand-and-arm signal.

Take cover to reduce exposure, using whatever means is readily available.

Decontaminate exposed skin using the individual decontaminating kit, as necessary.

6. Assume MOPP4. Cover all your skin (your head and shoulders are already protected by the mask and the overgarment).

a. Put on the gloves with liners.

b. Zip and fasten the overgarment jacket.

c. Secure the hood, then secure the overgarment to increase protection.

d. Put on the overboots.

Note. Combat boots provide protection but should be covered because they absorb chemicals. It takes a long time to put on the overboots, so put them on last in an emergency.

Decontaminate personal equipment using the individual decontaminating kit as necessary.

Notify your supervisor of any CB hazard markers or indicators.

Continue the mission.

Note. After assuming MOPP4 and performing all the tasks according to the unit SOP perform the following actions:
1. Use all means of CB detection to check your surrounding area for the presence of contamination.
2. Contact higher headquarters (HQ) if no contamination is found or if you determine the attack was non-CB.
3. Await further guidance. (Higher HQ contacts all adjacent/attached units to check the status of CB contamination in their areas. If all units report the absence of contamination, the information is reported up the chain of command.)
4. Annotate the above actions on your duty log (Department of the Army [DA] Form 1594).

DA Form 1594

FM 3-5

FM 3-4

TM 3-4230-229-10

TM 3-4230-235-10