Section IV. OPERATIONS, ENTRY, AND EXIT GUIDELINES

F-12. Operations

These operations, entry, and exit guidelines may be used to prepare a unit SOP for the operation of CPS systems in your unit.

a. When using these guidelines, the following should be considered:

Location of the shelter (flat, hilly, rocky ground).
General climate of the AO (high and low temperature variations during operation).

b. Information on setting up, striking, and operating the CPS is contained in the equipment publications. Where applicable, special procedures are provided in these publications for setting up in both clean and CB vapor hazard areas. However, the CP DEPMEDS is NOT set up in a CB vapor hazard area. The commander will determine which procedures to use.

c. During operations, periodic checks are made of the atmosphere within the shelter. These checks are made by using available chemical agent detection equipment and material to determine if chemical agent penetration has occurred. Should chemical agent penetration occur, all personnel must mask; then ensure that patients are protected until the agent has been purged from the shelter.

F-13. Decontamination of Entrance Area

a. Normally, the MTF will not operate in a CB vapor hazard environment. However, if the MTF must remain in an area on a temporary basis and liquid agent contamination is present, the immediate area around the entrance must be decontaminated.

b. To decontaminate the area around the entrance, use one or more of the following methods:

Turn over about 2 inches of soil.
Remove the top 1-inch layer of soil containing the liquid agent. Use the CAM or M8 detector paper to check the area after the topsoil is removed to ensure complete agent removal.
Add several inches of clean soil or sand.
Mix STB into the top 1/2 to 1 inch of soil.
Use DS2 on contaminated hard-surfaced areas or frozen ground.

F-14. Procedures Prior to Entry

All personnel (staff and patients) must be decontaminated before they are permitted entry into the CPS.

Use chemical detection equipment to check for the presence of contamination on individuals and their equipment; also check for presence of contamination on individual weapons if they are allowed in the CPS. Normally, weapons will not be allowed in the patient care areas, but will be stored outside near the entry/exit. Thorough decontamination is critical in preventing contamination transfer into the CPS.
When a chemical agent is detected, follow the procedures in [Appendix C] for patient decontamination and FM 3-5 for other personnel decontamination before entering the CPS. All contaminated clothing and equipment are placed in the contaminated dump. Weapons should not have been evacuated with patients. However, if weapons are evacuated with the patient, they are decontaminated and held by the MTF (administrative personnel or hospital supply) for disposition instructions.
Decontamination must be thorough; procedures must be strictly followed. Failure to do so can contaminate the interior of the MTF and injure medical treatment personnel; thus reducing their mission support capabilities.

WARNINGS

1. ALWAYS PURGE THE AIR LOCK BEFORE OPENING THE INNER DOOR, IF THE OUTER DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED.

2. WHEN OPERATING IN A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT, NEVER OPEN THE OUTER AND INNER DOORS OF THE AIR LOCKS AT THE SAME TIME.

F-15. Entry/Exit for the Collective Protection Shelter System

a. Ambulatory Personnel.

(1) Entry procedures.

(a) Ambulatory patients and others remove their MOPP (except their mask), BDUs, and boots outside the air lock. This procedure reduces the amount of possible contamination entering the air lock.

(b) A check is made to ensure that the ambulatory air lock is empty and the inner door is closed.

(d) The air lock is purged for 3 minutes. At the end of the purge cycle, the individual checks for contamination. If contaminated, the individual must return to the outside and decontaminate his skin; then return to the air lock and repeat the purge cycle and contamination check. If no contamination is detected, the protective mask is removed and placed in a plastic bag. The plastic bag is sealed and labeled. The individual opens the inner air lock door and enters the CPS; the plastic bag is carried into the shelter with the individual.

(2) Exit procedures.

(a) A check is made to ensure that the ambulatory air lock is empty and the outer door is closed.

(b) The individual enters the air lock and closes the inner door.

(d) The individual puts on his BDU and boots then assumes the established MOPP level before departing the immediate area of the exit door.

WARNING

DO NOT OPEN THE OUTER DOOR UNTIL THE PROTECTIVE MASK HAS BEEN PUT ON.

NOTES

1. Ambulatory patients that enter the CBPS become litter patients and are placed in PPW when released because the MTF does not have replacement MOPP ensembles for patient issue.

2. Exits must be spaced so that at least a 3 minute purge of the air lock is accomplished before the inside door is opened. Only open the doors long enough to permit passage.

b. Litter Patients.

(1) Entry procedures.

(a) An outside aidman notifies an inside aidman that a litter patient is ready for admission.

(b) The inside aidman ensures that the inner litter air lock door is closed. The outside aidmen open the outer air lock door and place the litter on the litter rails; they push the patient into the air lock headfirst; then they close the outer door. After a purge time of 3 minutes, an aidman inside the CPS opens the inner door and checks the patient to ensure that he is contamination free. The patient is checked by placing the CAM nozzle near absorptive surfaces, such as the patient's hair. If no contamination is found, the aidman removes the patient's mask and places it in a plastic bag. The inside aidmen remove the patient from the air lock and position him on treatment litter stands, or move him to the treatment area as directed by supervisory personnel.

(c) Patients received at the treatment facility in the PPW are checked for contamination; if they are contamination free, they may be processed through the litter air lock in the PPW. The inside aidmen ensure that the inner litter air lock door is closed. The outside aidmen open the outer air lock door and place the litter on the litter rails and push the patient into the litter air lock headfirst, then close the outer door. Purge the air lock for 3 minutes. After the purge time, an aidman inside of the CPS opens the inner air lock door and uses the CAM to check the patient to ensure that he is free of contamination. If no contamination is found, the inside aidmen remove the patient from the air lock. (If the patient is wearing a protective mask, the mask is removed and placed in a plastic bag before the patient is moved from the air lock.) As the patient is removed from the air lock, the PPW is opened and rolled inside out so that any desorbing vapors are adsorbed by the charcoal layer. The inside aidmen remove the patient from the air lock and position him on litter stands. The patient is transferred to a clean litter; then moved to the treatment area as directed by supervisory personnel. The receiving litter and PPW is returned to the outside; dispose of the PPW in the contaminated waste dump. Decontaminate the litter and return it to the litter pool.

NOTE

Should contamination be found when monitoring the air lock in (b) or (c) above, repeat the purge cycle, then retest for contamination. All vapor hazards must be eliminated before the patient is moved into the CPS. Repeating the purge cycle may NOT be possible if the patient is in need of immediate lifesaving care. The patient may have to be returned to the outside treatment area for immediate care.

(2) Exit procedures.

(a) The litter patient is placed in a PPW. A battery operated blower unit with a CB filter may be attached to the PPW to provide fresh air to the patient; thus reducing the heat load on the patient and the carbon dioxide buildup inside the PPW.

(b) An inside aidman notifies an outside aidman that the patient is ready to exit the shelter. An outside aidman ensures that the outer air lock door is closed. The patient is placed in the litter air lock feet first. The inner air lock door is closed. The outside aidmen open the outer door and remove the patient.

(c) Hospital staff, visitors, or ambulatory patients exit through the ambulatory air lock. Before entering the air lock, each individual must ensure that the outer air lock door is closed. The individual enters the air lock and closes the inner door; puts on his protective mask and exits through the outer door. The individual puts on his BDU and boots, and then assumes the established MOPP level before departing the immediate area of the exit door.

WARNING

DO NOT OPEN THE OUTER DOOR UNTIL THE INNER DOOR HAS BEEN CLOSED.

NOTE

Exits must be spaced at least 3 minutes apart to allow for a complete purge cycle of the air lock.

F-16. Resupply of Protected Areas

Resupply of protected areas is accomplished by placing contamination-free supplies or equipment on a litter and passing it through the litter air lock, or processing it through the supply air lock. The litter air lock must be purged for 3 minutes. The supplies must be checked for contamination before they are removed and placed within the CPS. The supply air lock must be purged for the stated time as outlined in the supporting technical manual; usually 45 minutes. Again the supplies must be checked for contamination before they are removed and placed within the CPS.