1. Hear or see a chemical or biological attack.

2. Realize through other means that you are under a chemical or biological attack.

3. Are ordered to mask.

4. Must enter a contaminated area.After having donned your protective mask you need to drink from your canteen.

NOTE: All time standards are for administrative (non-combat) evaluation purposes only. 1. Don, clear, and check your mask before chemical agent symptoms occur. 2. Drink through your protective mask from your canteen without becoming a casualty.

1. Stop breathing.

NOTE: All time standards are for administrative (non-combat) evaluation purposes only.

2. Don your mask to include clearing and checking:

a. If you have the M17-series protective mask: within 9 seconds IAW TM 3-4240-279-10, paragraph 2-14.

b. If you have the M24 protective mask: within 9 seconds IAW TM 3-4240-280-10, paragraph 2-13 after removing your flight helmet.

c. If you have the M25-series protective mask: within 9 seconds IAW TM 3-4240-280-10, paragraph 2-13 after removing your Combat Vehicle Crewman (CVC) helmet.

d. If you have the M40-series protective mask: within 9 seconds by taking the following actions:

 

NOTE: Use the procedures below until TM 3-4240-339-10, dated Feb 94, is updated.

(1) Stop breathing.

(a) Close your eyes.

(b) Remove your helmet and do one of the following: store it between your legs above the knees or hold your rifle between your legs and place the helmet on the flash suppressor.

 

WARNING

DO NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES WITH THE PROTECTIVE MASK. REMOVE CONTACT LENSES WHEN THE USE OF CHEMICAL AGENTS IS IMMINENT.

(2) Take off your glasses if you are wearing them.

(3) Open the carrier with your left hand holding the carrier open.

(4) Remove the mask from the carrier by grasping the mask with your right hand.

(5) Put your chin in the chin pocket.

 

NOTE: The straps should lie flat against your head.

(6) Grasp the head harness and pull the head harness over your head. Be sure your ears are between the temple straps and the cheek straps.

(7) Use the other hand to tighten the cheek straps one at a time while holding the head pad centered on the back of your head.

(8) Clear your mask.

(a) Seal the outlet valve by pushing in on the center of the outlet valve cover with one hand.

(b) Blow hard so that air escapes around the edges of the mask.

(c) Cover the inlet port of the canister with the palm of your hand.

 

NOTE: The facepiece should collapse against your face and remain so while you hold your breath. If it does, the facepiece is airtight. If the facepiece does not collapse, check for hair, clothing, or other matter between the facepiece and your face.

(d) Breathe in.

(e) Remove anything preventing a seal from forming between your face and the mask.

(9) Resume breathing.

 

NOTE: Use the procedures below until TM 3-4240-300-10-2, dated Aug 88, is updated.

e. If you have the M42 or M42A1 protective mask: Don your mask within 9 seconds after removing your Combat Vehicle Crewman (CVC) helmet.

(1) Stop breathing.

(2) Close your eyes.

(3) Remove your helmet, placing it in a convenient location, while avoiding contaminated surfaces if possible.

(4) Remove glasses if you are wearing them.

(5) Open the carrier with your left hand by grasping the flap at the hook-and-pile fastener and pulling it.

(6) Grasp the mask facepiece with your right hand, withdrawing the mask from the carrier.

(7) Put your chin in the chin pocket.

(8) Press the facepiece snugly against your face.

(9) Grasp the tab and pull the head harness over your head, making sure that your ears are between the temple straps and the cheek straps.

(10)‹@ Grasp the tab and pull the head harness over your head, making sure that your ears are between the temple straps and the cheek straps.

(11)‹@ Clear your mask.

(a) Seal the outlet valve by pushing in on the center of the outlet valve cover with one hand.

(b) Breathe out hard so that air escapes around the edges of the mask.

 

NOTE: At this time the mask is clear and it is safe to open your eyes.

(c) Open your eyes.

 

NOTE: The facepiece should collapse against your face and remain so while you hold your breath. If it does, the facepiece is airtight. If the facepiece does not collapse, check for hair, clothing, or other matter between the facepiece and your face.

(d) With palm of hand cover the inlet port of the armor quick disconnect.

(e) Breathe in.

(12)‹@ Check for any foreign material around the facepiece if the mask does not seal.

(13)‹@ Resume breathing.

f. If you have the M42A2 protective mask: within 9 seconds IAW TM 3-4240-343-10, paragraph 2-8 after removing your Combat Vehicle Crewman (CVC) helmet. .

g. If you have the M43-series protective mask: IAW TM 3-4240-312-12&P, paragraph 2-8.

3. Complete securing your mask with hood:

NOTE: There are no time standards for donning the hood.

a. If you have the M17-series protective mask: pull the hood over your head and zip the front closed to cover all bare skin.

 

NOTE: There are no time standards for donning the hood.

b. If you have the M24 protective mask: pull the M7 hood over your helmet and head so that it covers your shoulders.

 

NOTE: There are no time standards for donning the hood.

c. If you have the M25-series protective mask: pull the hood over your head and zip the front closed to cover all bare skin.

 

NOTE: There are no time standards for donning the hood.

d. If you have the M40-series protective mask: don the hood so that it lies smoothly on your head.

 

NOTE: Use the procedures below until TM 3-4240-339-10, dated Feb 94, is updated. CAUTION BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN PULLING ON THE HOOD. THE HOOD COULD SNAG ON THE BUCKLES OF THE HEAD HARNESS AND TEAR.

(1) For masks equipped with the regular hood.

(a) Grasp the back edge of the hood skirt.

(b) Pull the hood completely over your head so that it covers the back of your neck, head, and shoulders.

(c) Zip the front of the hood closed by pulling the zipper slider downward.

(d) Tighten the draw cord.

(e) Secure the underarm straps by fastening and adjusting them.

(f) Put on your helmet.

(g) Close your mask carrier.

(h) Continue the mission.

(2) For masks equipped with the Quick Doff hood.

(a) With hands inside the hood, expand the elastic gathering around the neck of the hood.

(b) Stretch and carefully pull the hood over your head so that the hood covers the head, neck, and shoulders.

(c) Fasten and adjust the underarm straps.

(d) Put on your helmet.

(e) Close your mask carrier.

(f) Continue the mission.

 

NOTE: There are no time standards for donning the hood.

e. If you have the M42 or M42A1 protective mask: pull the hood over your head and zip the front closed to cover all bare skin.

 

NOTE: Use the procedures below until TM 3-4240-300-10-2, dated Aug 88, is updated. CAUTION BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN PULLING ON THE HOOD. THE HOOD COULD SNAG ON THE BUCKLES OF THE HEAD HARNESS AND TEAR.

(1) For masks equipped with the regular hood.

(a) Grasp the back edge of the hood skirt.

(b) Pull the hood completely over your head so that it covers the back of your neck, head, and shoulders.

(c) Zip the front of the hood closed by pulling the zipper slider downward.

(d) Tighten the draw cord.

(e) Secure the underarm straps by fastening and adjusting them.

(f) Put on your helmet.

(g) Close your mask carrier.

(h) Go to (3).

(2) For masks equipped with the Quick Doff hood.

(a) With hands inside the hood, expand the elastic gathering around the neck of the hood.

(b) Stretch and carefully pull the hood over your head so that the hood covers the head, neck, and shoulders.

(c) Fasten and adjust the underarm straps.

(d) Put on your helmet.

(e) Close your mask carrier.

(f) Go to (3).

(3) Put on your helmet.

(a) Disconnect the boom microphone from the helmet.

(b) Connect the mask microphone to the receptacle in the helmet.

(c) Grasp the helmet next to the earcups with your hand spread as far as possible.

(d) Place the helmet over your head, tilting the helmet forward slightly so the first contact when putting it on is with the forehead surface of the mask.

(e) Rotate the helmet back and down over your head until it is seated in position.

 

NOTE: There are no time standards for donning the hood.

f. If you have the M42A2 protective mask: Pull the hood over your head and zip the front closed to cover all bare skin.

 

NOTE: There are no time standards for donning the hood.

g. If you have the M43-series protective mask: pull the hood over your head and zip the front closed to cover all bare skin.

 

CAUTION

THE M291 DECONTAMINATION KIT IS FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. IT MAY BE SLIGHTLY IRRITATING TO THE SKIN OR EYES. KEEP DECONTAMINATING POWDER OUT OF YOUR EYES, CUTS, AND WOUNDS. WARNING USE THE M291 DECON KIT TO DECON YOUR CANTEEN. DO NOT USE THE M295 DECON KIT FOR THIS PURPOSE. WARNING THE M258A1 DECONTAMINATION KIT (OLIVE DRAB CASE AND WIPE PACKETS) WILL ONLY BE USED FOR ACTUAL CHEMICAL DECONTAMINATION. DO NOT USE WIPES ON YOUR EYES, MOUTH, OR OPEN WOUNDS. WARNING DO NOT CONNECT THE QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING HALF TO YOUR CANTEEN UNTIL ALL SURFACES HAVE BEEN CHECKED. CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION COULD ENTER YOUR MOUTH RESULTING IN YOU BECOMING A CASUALTY.

4. Drink water while wearing your assigned protective mask IAW the applicable technical manual.

5. Use the following actions if you have an M24/M25-series protective mask, or if your mask's drinking apparatus is not operational:

NOTE: There are no procedures for drinking when wearing the M7 hood over the flight helmet.

a. Prepare your hood.

(1) Unfasten your hood straps.

(2) Loosen the draw cord.

b. Prepare the canteen.

(1) Take out the canteen by pushing up on the bottom of the canteen cover until you can grasp the canteen by its body.

(2) Check the canteen for liquid contamination using M8 detector paper.

(a) If the canteen is contaminated, seek an uncontaminated canteen.

(b) If an uncontaminated canteen is not available, attempt to decontaminate the canteen with your decontamination kit.

(3) Loosen the canteen cap without removing it.

(4) Turn canteen upside down to let some water from the canteen wash the threads.

(5) Move the canteen under your hood.

c. Take a few breaths, holding the last one.

d. Grasp the chin part of the mask.

e. Close your eyes.

f. Pull your mask down, out, and up away from your face, so that you can get the canteen to your mouth.

g. Push the cap off the threads immediately, putting the mouth of the canteen to your lips, being careful to touch as little of the canteen mouth with your lips as possible.

h. Tilt your head back pouring water into your mouth while holding your breath.

i. If using the buddy system, hand the canteen to your buddy to hold. If you are alone, you must set the canteen down.

j. Reseat the mask on your face.

k. Swallow the water.

l. Clear your mask.

m. Check your mask.

n. Breathe.

o. Repeat steps d through m until you are no longer thirsty.

p. Reseal the canteen.

q. Tighten the draw cord.

r. Fasten the hood straps.

s. Secure your equipment.

t. Continue the mission.

6. Remove and store the mask (following the steps in the applicable technical manual) after the "all clear" order is issued.

NOTE: Use the procedures below until TM 3-4240-339-10, dated Feb 94, is updated.

NOTE: Use the same procedures for the regular hood and Quick Doff Hood except for the zipper and the draw cord which the Quick Doff Hood doesn't have.

a. M40-series:

(1) Remove your helmet.

(2) Unfasten the underarm straps.

(3) Loosen the draw cord.

(4) Unzip the zipper on the hood.

(5) Remove the hood.

(a) Place both hands on the back edge of the hood skirt.

(b) Raise the hood over your head.

(c) Pull the hood over the front of the mask.

(6) Loosen the cheek straps.

(7) Remove the mask.

(a) Place one hand on the front of the voicemitter to hold the facepiece to your face.

(b) Grasp the head harness tab with your other hand.

(c) Pull the head harness over the front of the mask.

(d) Remove the mask from your head.

(8) Replace the helmet on your head.

(9) Remove any moisture from the hood and mask.

(a) Shake off any moisture.

(b) Wipe any moisture from the hood and mask.

(10)‹@ Store your mask with hood.

(a) Hold the front of the mask in a horizontal position.

(b) Smooth the hood over the mask.

(c) Pull the head harness over the front of the mask.

(d) Fold the two edges of the hood over the outlet valve to create a V in the front of the hood.

(e) Store the underarm straps and cord in the V.

(f) Fold the V upward to cover the eye lenses without letting the hood cover the chin opening.

(g) Put the mask with hood in the carrier while holding the facepiece upright with the lenses facing away from your body.

(h) Close the carrier opening.

(i) Store the mask with hood in the closed carrier in a cool, dry, dark place.

(j) Hang the carrier by the hook on the short strap.

 

NOTE: This step is not timed and will begin after the "all clear" order is issued.

NOTE: Use the actions listed below until TM 3-4240-300-10-2, dated Aug 88, is updated.

b. M42 or M42A1:

(1) Disconnect the microphone plug from the helmet receptacle.

(2) Remove your helmet.

(3) Remove the hood without damaging it.

(a) Unfasten the underarm straps.

(b) Loosen the neck cord.

(c) Unzip the zipper by holding the lower part of the zipper and pulling the zipper upward.

(d) Place both hands on the back edge of the hood skirt.

(e) Raise the hood over your head, pulling it over the front of the facepiece.

(4) Loosen the cheek straps.

(5) Place one hand on the front voicemitter to hold the facepiece to your face.

(6) Grasp the head harness tab with the other hand.

(7) Pull the head harness over the front of the facepiece, removing the facepiece.

(8) Reconnect the microphone to the helmet.

(9) Replace the helmet.

(10)‹@ Store your mask with hood.

(a) Install the canister and canister carrier in the carrier pocket with the quick disconnect coupling through the side opening in the carrier.

(b) Ensure that the hose is pointing toward the opening.

(c) Fold the canister carrier straps.

(d) Place the straps in the pocket with the canister.

(e) Close the canister carrier pocket.

(f) Hold the front of the facepiece in a horizontal position, smoothing the hood over it.

(g) Fold the two edges of the hood over the outlet valve to create a V in the front of the hood.

(h) Store the ends of the underarm straps and cord in the V.

 

CAUTION

TO PREVENT CRUSHING THE MICROPHONE, DO NOT APPLY FORCE TO THE MICROPHONE CONNECTION WHEN STOWING THE FACEPIECE.

(i) Grasp the bottom of the hood around the hose, tucking it into the space beneath the canister carrier pocket.

(j) Continue to feed as much as possible of the hood and hose into the carrier.

 

NOTE: At this point, the facepiece is upside down.

(k) Place the facepiece over the canister carrier pocket with the eyelens facing towards the carrier opening.

(l) Close the carrier.

(m) Close the outside canister pocket

(n) Store your mask with hood in the closed carrier in a cool, dry, dark place, hanging the carrier by the shoulder strap or the hook on the short strap.

c. If you have the M42A2 protective mask: use procedures in TM 3-4240-343-10.

d. If you have the M43-series protective mask: use procedures in TM 3-4240-312-12&P, paragraph 2-8.

 

Brief Soldier: Tell the soldier to stand while wearing his mask carrier containing his assigned protective mask (with the hood attached. Tell the soldier to remove eyeglasses and contact lenses before starting the evaluation. Provide the soldier with one of the scenarios described in the conditions statement (cue to begin masking). Tell the soldier to keep the mask on until you issue the "all clear" order. Tell the soldier that all time standards are for administrative (non-combat) evaluation purposes only. Drinking: Tell the soldier to drink water while wearing his assigned mask. Tell the soldier there are no time standards for this task, but for testing purposes, he should be able to drink within 2 minutes.