NBC Equipment Overview
During World Wars I and II, biological and chemical agents were available and used extensively. In the decades since, all developed countries and most developing countries have achieved the capabilities to produce both biological and chemical agents. As a direct result of this; equipment to protect the soldier who may encounter these substances on the battlefield was developed. As a soldier medic, it is important for you to know the type of equipment available for chemical protection, detection, and treatment of your patient and you.
CAUTION: Wearing the BDO adds 10-15 degrees F to the body's ambient temperature; therefore, soldiers must maintain an adequate fluid intake both before and during the time of wear. Additional caution must be taken in warmer climates due to the increased risk of heat related injuries.
(1) Characteristics
(a) Consists of a pair of trousers and a jacket with a charcoal liner
(b) The outer cloth is specially treated with "scotch-guard" type treatment, to resist liquid chemical agents
(c) The BDO adds approximately 11 pounds to the weight already carried by the soldier
(2) Wear time
(a) Uncontaminated environment - minimum of 30 days. The unit commander may extend the wear past the 30 days
(b) Contaminated environment - 24 hours
(1) Characteristics - green vinyl over boot (GVO)/Black vinyl overboot (BVO). Worn over combat boots to protect feet from contamination by all known agents, vectors and radiological particles
(2) Wear time
(a) Uncontaminated environment - 14 days, inspected for serviceability and worn 14 days more if found serviceable
(b) Contaminated environment - 24 hours, inspected and decontaminated and worn 24 hours more if found serviceable
(1) Characteristics
(a) The M40A1 is designed to protect the wearer from all known chemical and biological agents and riot control agents. When worn correctly, the mask will provide protection for the face, eyes, and respiratory tract
(b) The mask uses a NATO standard external filter canister that may be positioned on the soldier's right or left cheek to allow him to fire the M16A2 rifle. The filter cannot be exchanged in a contaminated environment
(c) The only optical insert approved for use in the M40 mask is a wire-frame type
(d) A drinking tube positioned around the outlet valve assembly, allows soldiers to drink from their canteen with an M-1 cap, while in a chemical environment
CAUTION: Both the canteen and coupling half must be checked with M8 paper to ensure they are not contaminated prior to drinking.
(2) Wear time - while in the theater of operations, filters must be replaced at least every 30 days
(3) The filters must be replaced whenever any of the following occurs
(a) The elements are immersed in water
(b) The elements are crushed, cut, or damaged
(c) Excessive breathing resistance is encountered
(d) After exposure to hydrogen cyanide
(e) After 30 days in a theater of operations
(f) When ordered by the unit commander
(4) Protective masks designed for use in tanks, combat vehicles and aircraft are issued as required
(5) The small M17A1 protective mask will only be assigned to soldiers who cannot be correctly fitted with a small M40 mask
(1) Characteristics
(a) Butyl rubber with an inner glove made of thin white cotton
(b) No protection against cold weather injuries
(c) There are 3 types of gloves
(i) .025 inch thick - used by soldiers who perform combat tasks
(ii) .014 inch thick - used by aviators and vehicle mechanics
(iii) .007 inch thick - used by medical personnel. Allow excellent tactile ability
(2) Wear time
(a) Uncontaminated environment - can be worn as long as they remain serviceable
(b) Contaminated environment - wear 24 hours, inspect; if serviceable, decontaminate; reuse. May repeat process every 24 hours
(c) The .007 inch gloves must be inspected and decontaminated within 6 hours. After inspection, if found serviceable they may be reused
(1) Purpose - to decontaminate the skin
(2) Characteristics
(a) Each kit contains six applicator packets that utilize a mixture of activated charcoal to absorb and neutralize liquid chemicals on the skin
(b) While decontaminating oneself, a black resin powder is left on the skin to provide visual confirmation of the thoroughness of the application
(c) The resin does not irritate the skin, but use precautions to keep the powder away from wounds, the eyes and the mouth
(1) Purpose - to decontaminate personal equipment
(2) Characteristics
(a) Each kit contains four packets, with one mitt each, that are utilized to remove chemical agents from personal equipment (e.g., M16A2, Kevlar helmet, LBE and M40 mask)
(b) Each mitt contains the same substance found in the M291
(c) Two packets are normally required to completely decontaminate all of a soldier's personal equipment
(1) Purpose - to protective the patient during evacuation after the BDO has been removed and the patient has received medical treatment
(2) Characteristics
(a) Designed as onetime use for only one patient
(b) The protective mask is not needed while the patient is in the PPW, but should be evacuated with the patient
(c) A patient can remain in the PPW for up to six hours
(d) Has one continuous zipper around the outer edge for ease of patient insertion
(e) An impermeable, transparent window is located at the head of the wrap for patient observation. Two protected sleeves next to the window permit the passage of IV tubing
(f) A transparent pocket below the window holds the field medical card
(g) Can be carried either by the handles on the side or by inserting poles into the side sleeves
(1) Purpose - to detect both the presence and specific type of liquid chemical agent
(2) Characteristics
(a) Each soldier carries one booklet of M8 paper in the interior pocket of the protective mask carrier
(b) To use the M8 paper, one-half sheet is blotted onto an unknown liquid. After waiting for 30 seconds, the color change is compared to the colors inside the front cover of the booklet. The colors are as follows
(i) Yellow - G (nerve)
(ii) Red - H (blister)
(iii) Olive green or black - V (nerve)
CAUTION: False positive may be seen if the M8 paper is exposed to liquid insecticide, antifreeze or petroleum products.
(1) Purpose - to detect the presence of a liquid chemical agent
(2) Characteristics
(a) Each soldier carries one thirty-foot long by two-inch wide roll of M9 paper
(b) Procedure for use
(i) While wearing gloves, one strip is wrapped around the upper arm, the opposite wrists and ankle of the same side as the upper arm, creating a V-shape
WARNING: M9 paper is carcinogenic; therefore, it should not be allowed to come into direct contact with the skin.
(ii) Once the M9 paper comes in contact with a liquid agent, it turns a reddish or pinkish color
(ii) After seeing the color change, the soldier must immediately mask, alert others and, if warranted, proceed with skin decontamination
CAUTION: False positive may be seen if the M9 paper is exposed to liquid insecticide, antifreeze or petroleum products.
(1) Purpose
(a) To detect and identify chemical agents (blood, blister, and nerve) present in either liquid or vapor form
(b) Also used after a chemical attack to determine if it is safe to unmask
(2) Characteristics
(a) The M256AI kit consists of the following items
(i) One booklet of M8 paper, which detects chemical agents in liquid form
(ii) Twelve detector tickets, which detect chemical agents in vapor form
(iii) One set of instruction cards
(b) A complete test using both the M8 paper and the detector ticket takes approximately 20 minutes to perform
(d) The actual detector tickets for the M256A1 are carcinogenic; therefore, trainer tickets are provided for practical exercises
(1) Purpose - to detect nerve and blister agents in vapor form only
(2) Characteristics
(a) Operates in two modes, one for nerve, the other for blister
(b) The intensity of the vapor is displayed as a bar code on the front of the cam
(1) Purpose - to sample the air for the presence of NERVE AGENTS VAPORS ONLY.
(2) Characteristics
(a) The M8A1 is the only remote continuous air sampling alarm that the U.S. Army currently possesses
(b) The M8A1 can be located within a hospital complex, with alarm units placed to cover all critical care, treatment and support areas
(c) The M8A1 has two components
(i) M43A1 detector
* The M43A1 is the portion that actually detects the vapor agent
* One M43A1 can have as many as five M42 alarms attached
(ii) M42 alarm
* Connected by WD-1 telephone wire to the M43A1 detector unit
* The alarm can be set to give an audible, visual, or the combination as a signal
As a soldier medic, you will either come in contact with or utilize this NBC equipment while caring for casualties in a contaminated environment. It is imperative that for the protection of both you and the casualty, proper methods for wearing and/or operating NBC equipment are clearly understood.