Treating Chemical and Biological Agent Casualties

Lesson 3: Treating Blood, Choking, and Blister Agent Casualties

3-2. TREAT A BLOOD AGENT CASUALTY

Blood agent poisonings usually results in rapid death (from a few seconds to a few minutes) if the casualty is exposed to a high concentration. If the casualty is removed from the toxic atmosphere or masked before he is exposed to a fatal dose, recovery usually takes place within a few minutes.

a. Mask the Casualty. Immediately mask any casualty who is not masked if chemical agents are suspected of being present. This is especially true for blood agent casualties. The faster you mask the casualty, the better his chances for survival. Procedures for masking the casualty are given in Lesson 2.

b. Ventilate, If Possible. Administer positive pressure ventilation if the equipment is available.

c. Evacuate. Initiate a field medical card, attach it to the casualty's clothing, and evacuate the casualty to the nearest medical treatment facility as quickly as possible.