Treating Chemical and Biological Agent Casualties

Lesson 2: Treating Nerve Agent Poisoning
Section II: Treat Casualty

2-7. ADMINISTER CONVULSANT AGENT ANTIDOTE FOR NERVE AGENT

Take out the casualty's CANA autoinjector (figure 2-8). Administer the casualty's own CANA autoinjector when the casualty has received three Mark I kits, or is convulsing. If the casualty has not been given all three Mark I kits, administer the remaining kits. The CANA is not for use as self-aid.

Figure 2-8. Convulsant antidote for nerve agent.

a. Open Plastic Packet. Tear open the protective plastic packet by pulling quickly at top (gray end) of the autoinjector.

b. Determine Injection Site (Thigh or Buttocks). Check the casualty's pockets for items that may interfere with injector. Check the size of the casualty's thigh muscle. If the casualty has a lateral thin thigh muscle, injection must be administered in the upper outer quadrant of the buttocks.

c. Grasp Autoinjector. With your dominant hand, grasp the autoinjector with needle extending beyond and index finger.

d. Pull Safety Cap. Use the other hand to pull the safety cap off the autoinjector base. DO NOT cover or hold the black (needle) end with your hand or fingers.

e. Position Autoinjector. Position the back end of CANA autoinjector against the injection site (thigh or buttocks). DO NOT inject the areas close to the hips, knee, or thigh bone. Inject the antidote only into the upper outer portion of the casualty's buttocks. This avoids hitting the nerve that crosses the buttocks. Hitting this nerve can cause paralysis.

f. Administer Injection. Inject the casualty by applying firm pressure to injector until it pushes the needle into the injection site. Hold the injector in place for at least 10 seconds. DO NOT use jabbing motion when injecting. It may result in injury to the casualty.

g. Remove Injector. Carefully pull the injector straight out from the injection site, and massage the site if time permits.