IMMEDIATE DECON OPERATIONS 

Immediate decon techniques are initiated by the individual Seabee, without command, once he or she is aware they have contamination on their bare skin. The individual Seabee uses his or her personal M291 or M258A1 skin decon kit to decontaminate exposed skin. Next, they decontaminate their MOPP gear and weapon, using the M280DKIE (decon kit, individual equipment) or with an additional M291/ M258A1 kit. Use these items for chemical and biological contamination removal only.

Radiological contamination hazards affect you differently, but the principle is the same. Remove radiological contamination from equipment and personnel by brushing and/ or using soap and water, respectively.

SKIN DECONTAMINATION 

If chemical agents contact your skin, you must take immediate action to decontaminate yourself. Start the skin decon technique within 1 minute of becoming contaminated. Some toxic chemical agents, especially nerve agents, are rapidly absorbed by the skin and can kill in minutes.

Individual decon kits (IDK), M291 or M258A1 (fig. 6-2), provide the best means of skin decon. Instructions and procedures are on the outside of the kit.

The solutions in the M258A1 kit are caustic. Keep them out of the eyes, nose, wounds, and mouth. Use water to wash toxic agent or decon solution out of the eyes or wounds and seek medical treatment. Familiarize yourself with the operating instructions for both kits because of the differences in the M258A1 and M291 kits. The M258A1 uses a moist towelette with a decon solution, whereas the M291 uses a powder. Although you cannot see liquid contamination in the dark, you must be prepared to decontaminate during darkness. The M258A1 wipe 1 packet has an identifying tab that you can feel in the dark.

Figure 6-2.- Skin decontamination kits. WARNING Solutions in the M258A1 decon kit are flammable and unstable in storage at temperatures above 110 F (43 C) or for long periods in sunlight. Also, protect it from freezing temperatures. Used at 32 F (0 C) or below, the solution may cause frostbite.

If you do not have a skin decon kit, chemical contamination may be pinch-blotted from the skin with a cloth and the area flushed with water from your canteen. Pinch-blotting is better than rubbing because it limits the spread of the contamination. Soap, if available, can also be used to wash the agent from the skin. Washing with soap and water (or hot water) is the next best method for toxic agent decon. This method is not as effective as using the decon kits.

NOTE: The M291 skin decon kit replaces the M258A1 skin decon kit. However, there will still be a time when the two kits are available in the field.

Biological 

Currently, no means exists of detecting biological agents. You probably will not know immediately when you have become contaminated. Most biological agents, except toxins, pose their primary threat through inhalation or ingestion. The skin is an effective barrier against most biological agents if it has no cuts or scratches.

Unit corpsmen know the types and levels of natural infection for the area of operations. They monitor these levels. If a given disease reaches a high level, they decide whether or not a deliberate biological attack has occurred.

The best biological defense is to take action before you are attacked. Keep immunizations up-to-date, observe basic sanitary precautions, and keep skin breaks covered. Treat minor cuts or abrasions by ordinary first-aid measures (iodine, Zephiran, or Merthiolate). Washing with soap and water removes nearly all biological agents from the skin. Frequent showering or bathing lessens chances of infection and disease. A 0.5 percent sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) solution is also an effective biological decontaminant. Appendix IV tells how to make this solution.

Radiological 

Because no immediate life-threatening hazard is caused by radiological contamination, no immediate skin decon is required. However, wash exposed areas of your skin when possible. If your skin is contaminated by radiological contamination, use operational decon techniques immediately. (See "MOPP Gear Exchange" for a detailed discussion on reducing radiation levels from radiological contamination.)

PERSONAL WIPE DOWN 

The personal wipe down technique is most effective when done within 15 minutes of being contaminated. Every Seabee wipes down his or her mask, hood, gloves, and other essential gear. (An exception is when a thickened agent is globed on the overgarment.) For chemical and biological decon, Seabees use their skin decon kits. Radiological contamination may be brushed away.

Do not attempt to remove chemical contamination from your protective overgarment. The special protective properties of the garment minimize hazards from chemical agents. However, brush off radiological, biological, or frozen chemical agent contamination from your overgarment.

If radiological contamination is not removed, your radiation exposure will increase over time.

Chemical 

The stocks and handgrips of individual weapons also tend to absorb chemical agents. Once absorbed, they may present a vapor hazard for days. To reduce this penetration and vapor hazard, decontaminate individual equipment using the M291 or the M258A1 kits. You must decontaminate gloves, hood and mask, helmet, and weapon if they are contaminated. Perform personal and equipment wipe down within 15 minutes after being exposed to liquid contamination. Additionally, wearing your Kevlar helmet protective cover will prevent or reduce the absorption of any liquid chemical agent.

If an agent is globed on your overgarment, you may scrape it off with a stick or other object; otherwise, do not attempt to decontaminate chemical agents on your overgarment. This will provide little, if any, extra protection and you probably will not have enough M291 and M258A1 decon wipes to do so.

Decon wipe 1 works better against the G-type of nerve agents but can burn your skin. Decon wipe 2 works better against CX-type of nerve agents and blister agents. Additionally, decon wipe 2 is not as caustic to the skin and should help to neutralize some of the caustic compounds in wipe 1. When M291 and M258A1 decon wipes are not available, field expedient methods, such as washing with soap, water, and bleach solution, are partially effective (see appendix V).

Biological 

If you know or suspect toxins or other biological agents are present, remove the contamination with soap and water. If water is not available, use M258A1 decon wipes in the same manner as described for chemical agent decon.

Radiological 

Radiological contamination can readily be detected and located with monitoring equipment. Remove the contamination and you reduce the hazard. Brush the dust off your load-bearing equipment and mask carrier. If you are contaminated with a dry contaminant, such as fallout, shake your clothing and gear. Wash the exposed areas of your skin. Use M258A1 decon wipes if soap and water are not available. Pay particular attention to your hair and fingernails. Avoid breathing the dust you shake off by wearing a piece of cloth over your face. If you were contaminated by a wet radiological contaminant, you must immediately conduct a MOPP gear exchange. Brushing or shaking will not remove the wet radiological contaminant or its hazard. Wipe off your mask, hood, helmet, gloves, footwear covers, and other personal equipment with warm, soapy water. If warm, soapy water is unavailable, use rags or damp paper towels. Ensure contamination is not spread to clean areas.