Safety Guidelines 40-hr P.O.S.T. Chemical Agent Instructor Course

Safety is our #1 Priority –Blasting devices have explosive charges that can blow off fingers and take out your eyes. –Burning devices can exceed 800 degrees F, easily melting skin. –All weapons/munitions systems can cause serious injury if not deployed properly.

Injuries In 25 years of teaching CAI … –Staff Injuries Deploying blast and burning devices –Student Injuries Deploying weapons systems

Safety Rule #1 If you don’t know what the device does, or don’t know how to operate the device or munitions system… DON’T TOUCH IT! Ask for help from the Training Cadre.

Safety Rule #2 No chemical agents, munitions launchers or other chemical agent weapons in the classroom without: –Permission from a member of the Training Cadre; and –Safety inspection of the item by a member of the Training Cadre.

Safety Rule #3 During field exercises, stay with your safety partner during chemical agent exposure. If your partner is unavailable for any reason, join another buddy team. No solo exposure to chemical agents allowed at any time!

Safety Rule #4 Don’t panic or run at any time during field exercises. Exception to “run rule” is at the discretion of Training Cadre for exigent circumstances (i.e. fire or first aid).

Safety Rule #5 All students are empowered as Safety Officers to stop any unsafe practices. When whistle blows or you hear “Cease Fire, Cease Fire”, STOP what you are doing immediately and await direction from the Training Cadre.

Safety Rule #6 Report any injuries (big or small) to instructional staff immediately.

Safety Rule #7 Officers Deploying C/A Devices, must wear: Eye Protection (wrap around or gas mask). Gloves (either nomex or heavy leather). Ear Protection if device is a combination Flashbang/Chemical Agent or if a launcher is being used.

Safety Rule #8 Report any device that doesn’t detonate to the Training Cadre immediately. Many older devices may fail to detonate and will need to be detonated before training continues or concludes as applicable. Detonating these devices is done by “burning them in place” with a road flare or other device or if appropriate, shooting them on a range (less lethal munitions).

Storage If you have weapons systems and/or chemical agent devices, we will store them at the Range Armory. Do not store weapons and/or devices in your hotel room or leave them in a vehicle, especially the trunk!

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