2. React to Chemical or Biological Hazard/Attack
TASK # Skill Level 1
REFERENCES
Required
FM 3-4 TM TM
Related
FM 3-5

3. React to Chemical or Biological Hazard/Attack
Task
React to Chemical or Biological Hazard/Attack

4. Conditions
Given mission-oriented protection posture (MOPP) gear, a protective mask, individual decontaminating kits, and a tactical environment in which chemical and biological (CB) weapons have been or may be used by the enemy. You are in MOPP 1, and one or more of the following automatic masking criteria happens:
A chemical alarm sounds.
A positive reading is obtained on detector paper.
Individuals exhibit symptoms of CB agent poisoning.
You observe a contamination marker.
Your supervisor tells you to mask.
You see personnel wearing protective masks.
You observe other signs of a possible CB attack.

5. Standards
Do not become a casualty. Identify chemical contamination markers with 100 percent accuracy, and notify your supervisor. Start the steps to decontaminate yourself within 1 minute of finding chemical contamination. Decontaminate your individual equipment after you have completely decontaminated yourself.

6. When to Mask Identify the CB hazard automatic masking criteria
A chemical alarm sounds
A positive reading is obtained on detector paper
Individuals exhibit symptoms of CB agent poisoning
You observe a contamination marker
Your supervisor tells you to mask
You see personnel wearing protective masks
You observe other signs of a possible CB attack
Or respond to the commander’s policy of automatic masking

7. Contamination Markers

8. Protect Yourself
Protect yourself from CB contamination using your assigned
protective mask without fastening the hood.
The mask gives immediate protection against inhalation of
agent vapors. Do not fasten the hood. Go to the next step
immediately.

9. Give the Alarm
Yell “GAS”
Give the appropriate hand-and-arm signal

10. Take cover
Take cover to reduce exposure, using whatever means is readily
Available.

11. Decontaminate Skin Decontaminate exposed skin using the individual
Decontaminating kit as necessary.

12. Assume MOPP 4
Assume MOPP 4. Cover all your skin (your head and shoulders are already protected by the mask and the overgarment).
Put on the gloves with liners
Zip and fasten the overgarment jacket.
Secure the hood, and then secure the overgarment to increase protection.
Put on the overboots. Combat boots provide protection but should be covered because they absorb chemicals.

13. MOPP Levels LEVEL MASK OVER-GARMENT OVER-BOOTS GLOVES 0 (Zero) Carried
Readily Available
1 (One)
Worn
2 (Two)
3 (Three)
4 (Four)

14. MOPP Levels Diagram

15. Decontaminate Equipment
Decontaminate your personal equipment using the individual decontaminating kit as necessary.

16. Notify Your Supervisor
Notify your supervisor of any CB hazard markers or indicators.

17. Continue the Mission
The final step of this task is to continue the mission you were already on when you had to react to a CB hazard.