Contaminated casualties entering the medical treatment system are
decontaminated through a decentralized process. This is initially started
through self-aid and buddy aid procedures. Later, units should further
decontaminate the casualty before evacuation. Casualty
decontamination stations are established at the field medical treatment
facility to further decontaminate these individuals (clothing removal and
spot decontamination, as required) prior to treatment and evacuation.
These stations are manned by nonmedical members of the supported unit
under supervision of medical personnel. There are insufficient medical
personnel to both decontaminate and treat casualties. The medical
personnel must be available for treatment of the casualties during and
after decontamination by nonmedical personnel. Decontamination is
accomplished as quickly as possible to facilitate medical treatment
prevent the casualty from absorbing additional agent, and reduce the
spread of chemical contamination.
|
