OPERATIONAL DECON SUMMARY The PDDE crew must control contamination runoff during the execution of operational decon. The PDDE For operational and logistical purposes, units crew should move the PDDE a few meters away from the should plan to conduct vehicle wash down and

Figure 6-4.- One-lane wash down. MOPP gear exchange concurrently. This should be done between 1 to 6 hours of becoming contaminated. This action reduces degradation and improves the ability of the unit to conduct its mission. Decontaminants and replacement MOPP gear are provided by the supply company with a vehicle near the decon site.

MOPP gear exchange and vehicle wash down are best used by squad-size or platoon-size elements. When larger elements try to process through an operational decon site, they lose many benefits of a small decentralized operation. Benefits of a squad-or platoon-sized decon operation include the following:

1. Tailored decon operations are flexible and responsive to small unit needs.

2. Small, speedy operations are more easily concealed in one location near the forward area.

3. A water source may not be needed at the decon site because most power-driven decon equipment (PDDE) have a water-carrying capability to support squad-sized elements.

Units must develop their own Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) for obtaining temporary relief from MOPP 4. The SOP is based on each unit's equipment and mission. Although every operation is unique, methods should be standardized when possible. In any case, personnel must know the following:

Table 6-2.-

Two-Lane Wash Down 1. How to recognize and understand contanim-4. Know how to neutralize or remove contamina-tion hazards and how to avoid contamination when tion hazards. possible. 5. Do only as much decon as you need to continue

2. How to protect yourself and your equipment if your mission. contaminated. The following sample checklist (table 6-4) can be

3. Know the capabilities and limitations of MOPP used by the battalion decon team for planning gear. operational decon operations:

Figure 6-5.- Two-lane wash down.

Table 6-3.-

Mopp Gear Exchange

Table 6-4.-

Operational Decon Checklist. It is important to remember that performing and is the most resource intensive. Weathering causes operator's spray down before hasty decon will a significant reduction of contamination overtime, but decrease the contamination transfer and increase the the immediate reduction of contamination to survivability of the crew. negligible risk levels does not normally occur.