Treating Chemical and Biological Agent Casualties
Lesson 1: Chemical Agents and Protection From Chemical Agents
1-8
1-8. NERVE AGENT ANTIDOTES
Atropine and pralidoxime chloride 2-PAM Cl are the nerve agent antidotes used by soldiers in the field. These antidotes neutralize nerve agents that have already been absorbed into the body. Each soldier is issued three sets of nerve agent antidote automatic injectors (autoinjectors). Each Mark I nerve agent antidote kit (NAAK) consists of a plastic clip containing two autoinjectors: one autoinjector containing two mg of atropine and one autoinjector containing 600 mg of 2-PAM chloride. These kits are normally carried in the inside pocket of the protective mask carrier. When the temperature is below freezing, however, the autoinjectors must be carried in a location that will protect them from the cold. Always check your local standing operating procedures (SOP) to determine how the autoinjectors are to be carried in freezing weather. Procedures for administering these antidotes are discussed in Lessons 2 and 3.
