DETAILED TROOP DECON (DTD) 

Removing contaminated MOPP gear, including the protective mask, is the major action in detailed troop decon. If DTD is not performed, chemical agents may eventually penetrate the overgarment and contaminate underclothing or skin. How long the chemical agent will take to penetrate the clothing depends on the condition of the MOPP gear and the amount of agent on the gear. If contaminated with radiological contamination, the hazard will remain until removed.

The contaminated unit is responsible for setting up, operating, and closing the DTD in a thorough decon site. The CBR officer recommends to the COC the general location of the DTD within the decon site. He or she will also provide the COC technical advice on the setup, the operation, and the closure of the DTD.

The DTD has eight stations. The following pages discuss actions at each station and the resources required.

Station 1- Individual Gear Decon Actions at this station remove contamination to a negligible risk level from individual equipment (782 gear, mask carrier, helmet, and weapon).

PREPARATION- The following equipment and supplies are recommended for station 1:

l Three 30-gallon containers l Two long-handled brushes l Sufficient supertropical bleach (STB) slurry mix

Figure 6-7.- Detailed troop decon layout. . Two ponchos or plastic tarps Dig a sump 6 feet square and 4 feet deep. Place three 30-gallon cans near the sump (fig. 6-7).

Fill two cans with an STB slurry mixture. The other can is filled with clean water for the rinse. Place two long-handled brushes at each can of the STB slurry.

To prepare the slurry, mix 100 pounds of STB with 20 gallons of hot water. Change the mixture after 20 troops have decontaminated their gear. Change the rinse water after every 10 troops or when it appears dirty.

Place a poncho or plastic tarpon the ground at the checkpoint. Divide the poncho or tarp in half, using tape. This is the contamination control line (CCL). The checkpoint will beat a minimum of three meters from all other stations. This will ensure a true reading on the detection equipment. Place the following chemical detection/ identification equipment at the check station for an average company-sized unit:

l One CAM

. Eight books of M8 chemical detector paper . Four M256-series chemical agent detector kits . One hundred plastic trash bags

Three troops are required to operate this station. One supervises the decontamination of the individual

gear and takes the decontaminated equipment to the check station. He or she also prepares new slurry mixtures of STB as necessary. One troop remains at the checkpoint and checks all gear for completeness of decontamination, using the detection equipment. One troop transports the decontaminated gear to the reissue station.

EXECUTION- Decontaminate the gloves with the water or STB slurry mix. If wearing the M24, M25A1, or M42 mask, use hot, soapy water and sponge or STB dry mix to decontaminate the hose and canister. Decontaminate the gear by washing it in the decontaminant container and scrubbing the gear for 6 minutes. Then dip the gear into the rinse water for 4 minutes. The station attendant will take the gear to the equipment checkpoint. Place the decontaminated gear on the "dirty" side of the contamination control line (CCL). The monitor checks the gear for contamination using the appropriate detection devices. The monitor holds the detection device 1 inch from the gear and checks for residual contamination. If the residual contamination exceeds negligible risks, recycle the gear and decontaminate it again. If the gear passes the check, place it on the clean side of the contamination control line. An attendant carries the equipment to the reissue point.

You must understand that the preceding paragraph outlines the minimum that should be done. Depending on time available, more extensive washing and checking procedures may be useful. You may decide to wash equipment longer or let it air outside after washing. This further reduces the amount of agent vapor desorbing (or bleeding) out of the pistol belt, mask carriers, helmet covers, and so forth. Equipment can be put in closed areas or plastic bags and checked for hazardous vapors with CAM or M256-series chemical agent detector kit. The CAM will only detect the nerve agent (G) and blister agent vapors (H).

Station 2- Overboot and Hood Decon Actions at this station neutralize gross contamination on overboots and lower trouser legs. Gross contamination on the exposed parts of the protective mask is also decontaminated.

PREPARATION- Prepare a shuffle pit by digging a shallow pit about 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 6 inches deep. Fill the shuffle pit with a supertropical bleach (STB) dry mix. Prepare the STB dry mix by mixing 3 parts earth to 2 parts STB. Add more STB to the mix after ten people have processed through the shuffle pit. The following equipment/ supplies are needed at this station:

c One M258A1 or M291 skin decontaminating kit per person

l 6 feet by 6 feet piece of plastic . Trash bags (as required) l Ten drums of STB

Only one decon team member is required to operate this station. The buddy system is used to decontaminate the overboots and protective mask.

EXECUTION- Walk into the shuffle pit that is composed of STB dry mix (3 parts earth and 2 parts STB). Use gloved/ protected hands to rub STB dry mix on the boots and lower trousers. Decontaminate the hood according to one of the two following procedures. Use the skin decon kit to decontaminate the hood and exposed parts of your buddy's mask. When you have finished decontaminating your buddy's mask, decontaminate your gloves with the skin decon kit in preparation for decontaminating your buddy's mask.

NOTE: Buddies should check each other's overboots and overgarment for damage. Any rips, tears, or punctures in overboots, rubber gloves, or overgarment should be reported to the attendant at station 5. This will allow the attendant at station 5 to check you for chemical agent symptoms and your clothing for possible contamination.

Station 3- Overgarment Removal

Performing this step ensures removal of the contaminated overgarments before an agent penetrates the overgarment material and touches the undergarments or skin.