(1) Spot decontamination. Use the SDK or the 0.5 percent hypochlorite solution to spot decontaminate exposed neck and wrist areas, splints, other areas where the protective overgarment was damaged, and where dressings or bandages were removed. Decontaminate the patient's identification tags, if necessary. Have the patient hold his breath and close his eyes. Have him, or assist him, lift his mask at the chin. Wipe his face with the M291 pad or the 0.5 percent hypochlorite solution. Wipe quickly from below the top of one ear, being careful to wipe all folds of the skin, top of the upper lip, chin, dimples, earlobes, and nose. Continue up the other side of the face to the top of the other ear. Wipe the inside of the mask where it touches the face. Have the patient reseal and check his mask.
CAUTION
Keep the decontamination solution out of the patient's eyes.
(2) Trauma specialist care. During clothing removal, the clothing around bandages, tourniquets, and splints was cut and left in place.
- The trauma specialist replaces the old tourniquet by placing a new one ½ to 1 inch above the old tourniquet. When the old tourniquet is removed, the skin is decontaminated with the SDK or the 0.5 percent hypochlorite solution.
- Do not remove splints. Decontaminate them by thoroughly rinsing the splint, padding, and cravats with the 0.5 percent hypochlorite solution.
- Usually, the trauma specialist will gently cut away bandages. The area around the wound is dusted with the M291 pad or rinsed with the 0.5 percent hypochlorite solution, and the trauma specialist applies the M291 pad or irrigates the soft tissue wound with the 0.5 percent hypochlorite solution. If bleeding begins, the trauma specialist replaces the bandage with a clean one.
l. Step 9. Dispose of contaminated waste. Dispose of contaminated bandages and coverings by placing them in a plastic bag and sealing the bag with tape. Place the plastic bags in the contaminated waste dump.
m. Step 10. Proceed through the shuffle pit to the clean treatment area. Have the decontaminated patient proceed through the shuffle pit to the clean treatment area. Make sure that the patient's boots are thoroughly decontaminated by stirring the contents of the shuffle pit with his boots as he crosses it. The patient will remove his combat boots and socks at the entrance of the clean treatment area or CPS; remove the protective mask at the entrance to the clean treatment area or inside the ambulatory air lock of the CPS.
G-12. Biological Patient Decontamination Procedures
The decontamination station as established for chemical agent patients is also used for biologically contaminated patients. The eight-man patient decontamination team is required for biologically contaminated patient decontamination procedures.