Treating Chemical and Biological Agent Casualties

Lesson 4: Biological Agents

4-8. IMMEDIATE ACTIONS DURING AN ATTACK

a. Put on your protective mask immediately and keep clothing buttoned up. Agents can gain entry through clothing using two routes.

(1) First, through openings such as buttonholes, zipped areas, stitching, and poor sealing at ankles, wrist and neck.

 

(2) A second way is through minute pores in the fabric of clothing. Putting on one's protective ensemble greatly increases the protection level of the individual soldier. Toxins, however, require the same amount of protection as liquid chemical agents.

b. Since there is no rapid warning, soldiers should take the same action for a biological attack as that prescribed for a chemical attack. After a suspected biological attack, samples should be taken with the M34, M256 series, or CBASK.