The decontamination procedures described below are for NBC contaminated patients. These procedures may also be used for most TIM contaminated patients. However, soap and water will suffice for most TIMs; but some TIMs react with water. For those TIMs another material must be used to decontaminate patients. For detailed information on decontamination of TIM contaminated patients, see FM 8-500.
c. Physical removal of contaminants is the primary method of decontamination. Physical removal does not require vigorous scrubbing; in fact, vigorous scrubbing can force some agents deeper into the skin; thus, increasing the agent effect rather than reducing its effects. The use of a M291 skin decontaminating kit (SDK) neutralizes/reduces the effects of an agent, but physical removal is of utmost importance. When a SDK is not available, the use of soap and water should be considered as the next best method. However, the use of soap and water requires large amounts of water that may not be available because the soap must be rinsed from the skin to reduce skin irritation from the soap. An alternate skin decontaminant is a hypochlorite solution; but it should only be used when SDKs and/or sufficient quantities of water are not available. Use a 0.5 percent hypochlorite solution on the protective mask and skin. A 5 percent hypochlorite solution can be used on the mask hood, gloves, and other outer garments.
CAUTION
Do not use the 5 percent solution on the skin; it can cause severe skin irritation.
G-2. Immediate Decontamination
Decontamination must begin at the platoon and company level with the individual soldier, prior to the arrival of medical personnel. The soldier himself or members of his team must perform immediate decontamination. When the casualty's condition and the mission permits, they may go through a MOPP gear exchange at their unit before evacuation (see FM 3-5). Performing a MOPP gear exchange at the unit before evacuation will reduce the amount of contamination that can be transferred to the MEDEVAC vehicle. However, the MOPP gear exchange must not cause further injury to the casualty. First aid for CW agent must be administered; such as administering nerve agent antidotes (such as nerve agent antidotes and convulsant antidote for nerve agent [CANA]), as required. Enter the time and type of contamination on a field expedient NBC casualty card ([Figure G-1]). Use the CAM, M8 chemical agent detector paper, or M9 tape to determine the type of chemical contamination. Use a radiation detection meter/device to determine the level of radioactive contamination, if required. Currently, there are no BW agent detectors that can be used to check patients for BW agent contamination. Therefore, all patients suspected of being contaminated with a BW agent must be decontaminated. When medical personnel arrive, they should enter the time and type of contamination and number of antidote injections that were administered as first aid on the Department of Defense (DD) Form 1380 (Field Medical Card [FMC]).
Figure G-1. Field expedient nuclear, biological, and chemical patient card.