CHAPTER 10 CBR DEFENSE

CBR defense means defense against chemical or biological agents used in attacks or defense against radiation from nuclear explosions. As a Damage Controlman, you have certain duties in this type of defense. Your major duties are to detect and identify contamination, to decide on the protective measures needed, and to decontaminate ship surfaces, equipment, and personnel,

You will need to know the currently approved methods of defense and protection to the extent that you become a specialist in the field. This chapter will give you the basic information you need to move toward that goal.

In studying CBR defense, remember that weapons are always being developed and new defensive measures are being established to deal with them. You will need to keep up to date with these changes.

ORGANIZATION FOR CBR DEFENSE

CBR defense requires organization, specific procedures and responsibilities, and training. The organization and procedures are basically set up by ship's bills. Training is partially covered by the ship's bills, but it is a continuing responsibility that extends beyond them.

The ship's bills that apply to shipboard CBR defense include the general emergency bill; the biological, chemical, and radiological defense bill; and the ship's battle bill. All personnel must be indoctrinated and trained to carry out the duties described in these bills. The first two are described briefly in the following paragraphs. For information on the ship's battle bill and for additional information on other bills, see Standard Organization and Regulations of the U. S. Navy, OPNAVINST 3120.32.

The general emergency bill replaced the collision bill and abandon ship bill. It is prepared in accordance with type commander directives. It provides organization to counteract any major emergency that arises aboard ship. This bill covers large explosions and extensive fire, storm, or battle damage. The established battle organization is the basis for assignments in this bill. The exception is when the ship is in port with a partial crew aboard and assignments are made on the basis of duty sections.

The general emergency bill is maintained by the engineer officer who is responsible for seeing that the bill is current and ready for execution.

The biological, chemical, and radiological defense bill provides organization, establishes procedures, and assigns responsibilities for taking proper and effective action in the event of CBR attack or in the event of a CBR weapon accident. This bill is the responsibility of the engineer officer.

The biological, chemical, and radiological defense bill calls for the following measures:

1. These measures should be taken before an attack:

Indoctrinate and train the ship's crew

Eliminate contamination hazards

Activate a preattack water washdown

Mask exposed personnel

2. These measures should be taken immediately after an attack:

Conduct personnel evasive action

Conduct evasive maneuvering of the ship

Activate a water washdown

Evacuate and reman various stations

Decontaminate personnel

l Detect contaminated areas . Decontaminate material

INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION

Personnel under CBR attack should be protected through individual and group measures. Individual protection is of immediate concern. What you do in the first few moments after a CBR attack may determine whether or not you will survive. Know the symptoms of exposure to radiation and to biological and chemical agents. Know the action to take when you are exposed and any self-aid and first-aid measures that might help You or your shipmates. This knowledge may be the difference between life and death.

PROTECTION AGAINST AIR BLAST, UNDERWATER SHOCK, AND HEAT

Air blasts injure most topside personnel by picking them up and throwing them about. This is known as body displacement. Personnel below decks are usually injured by body displacement and loose gear. You can reduce injury if you hold on to solid ship structures and secure loose gear.

Underwater shock injures personnel located above and below decks. This happens through mechanical transmission of the water shock force throughout the ship structure, which causes a rapid upward acceleration of the deck. Personnel are, in effect, hit by the deck and thrown off balance into the overhead or bulkheads. You can reduce this type of injury if you hang on to solid ship structures, flex your knees, and rest on the balls of your feet. When underwater shock is expected, do not lie prone on the deck. This position exposes more body area to the forces transmitted through the deck.

Heat (also called thermal radiation) produces skin burns and eye damage among topside personnel and can ignite clothing or other combustibles. The injury may be reduced if you quickly cover exposed skin surfaces. At the same time, drop out of sight of the fireball or curl up on the deck to present a minimum target to the fireball.

Table 10-1 summarizes the action that you should take to reduce injury from air, surface, and underwater detonations for warning and no warning attacks. Hands-to-face evasion protects against air blast and thermal radiation. It is practicable only for topside personnel who are alerted by the flash.

Table 10-1.-Recommended Personnel Action Against Nuclear Detonations

The following maneuvers reduce the vulnerability of topside personnel to both thermal radiation and the air blast effects of airbursts and surface bursts. You may still suffer flash blindness for up to 30 minutes in both situations even if you do use these maneuvers.

The first maneuver is for personnel in open topside areas (those who can quickly drop to the deck). When you see the flash or see the sky light up, close your eyes and immediately raise your hands to cover your face. At the same time, drop to the deck as rapidly as possible. Do not use your hands to break your fall; use your shoulder. Curl up to present a minimum target. You may feel the heat from the detonation. Between 2 and 5 seconds after the flash (depending on the weapon yield) or after the heat sensation is over, remove your hands from your face. Then immediately grab a solid ship structure firmly to prevent the air blast winds from blowing you overboard or against the ship's structure.

The second maneuver is for personnel in congested topside areas (those who cannot quickly drop to the deck; for example, those on a gun mount). When you see the sky light up, close your eyes and immediately raise your hands to cover your face. At the same time, crouch and bend your head down. You may feel the heat from the weapon. After the heat sensation is over, grab hold of a solid ship structure to keep from being blown overboard or against the ship's structure by the air blast.