Treating Chemical and Biological Agent Casualties

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

3-6. TREAT A BLISTER AGENT CASUALTY

a. Mask the Casualty. If the casualty is not already masked, tell him to put on his mask. If the casualty is unable to mask himself, assist him as needed. Do not secure the hood at this time.

b. Irrigate Eyes, If Needed. If the casualty's eyes have been exposed to liquid blister agent, have the casualty flush (irrigate) his eyes with water from his canteen immediately. If the casualty is unable to flush his eyes, perform the action for him using the steps given below. (The steps assume that both eyes have liquid blister agent present.) The process must be performed within 2 minutes of exposure in order to be effective. If possible, quickly move the casualty to a protected area or protect the casualty with a poncho while irrigating his eyes. Irrigate the casualty's eyes even if toxic vapors are present in the surrounding atmosphere.

(1) Obtain the casualty's canteen or other source of uncontaminated water.

 

(2) Position the casualty so you can pour water into his eyes once his mask is lifted. Tilt his head so one eye is higher than the other.

 

(3) Tell the casualty to take a deep breath and hold it. Also tell him to close his mouth and eyes. Closing his mouth and eyes reduces the amount of agent absorbed through mucous membranes.

 

(4) Quickly lift the casualty's protective mask.

 

(5) Tell the casualty to open his lower eye. Do not hold the casualty's eyelid open with your gloved hand since your glove is contaminated. If the casualty opens both eyes instead of one, continue with the irrigation.

 

(6) Slowly pour water from the canteen into the casualty's lower eye. Flush from the inner aspect (corner nearest nose) of the eye to the outer aspect (corner nearest the ear). Allow the contaminated water to run off the side of his face.

 

(7) After you have irrigated the eye, tell the casualty to shut his eyes.

 

(8) If the casualty's able to continue holding his breath, continue to step 9. If he cannot hold his breath until both eyes are irrigated, remask the casualty and let him take several breaths. Then position the casualty (step 9), have the casualty hold his breath, and lift his mask.

 

(9) Have the casualty tilt his head so the eye that has just been flushed is higher than the other eye. This will help to prevent the contaminated irrigation water from recontaminating the eye that has already been irrigated.

 

(10) Tell the casualty to open his other (unflushed) eye. Do not use your gloved hand to hold his eyelid.

 

(11) Slowly pour water from the canteen into the casualty's lower eye. Begin at the inner aspect and proceed toward the outer aspect. Do not allow water to flow or splash into the eye that has already been flushed. Let contaminated water run off side of face.

 

(12) After you have completed the irrigation, tell the casualty to close his eyes.

 

(13) Replace the casualty's mask and have him resume breathing.

c. Decontaminate Face, If Needed. If the casualty has liquid blister agent on his face have him decontaminate his face and the lower portion of his mask. If the casualty is unable to decontaminate his face

and mask, have another soldier perform the decontamination procedures or perform them yourself. Have the casualty clear and check his mask after the decontamination has been performed.

d. Initiate Field Medical Card. Initiate a field medical card on the casualty.

e. Evacuate, If Needed. If the casualty can still perform combat tasks and the military situation is such that the casualty is needed, return him to duty. Otherwise, evacuate him to a medical treatment facility for further evaluation and treatment. Even if the casualty is returned to duty, he should be examined by a medical officer when the situation permits.