STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF

File: 110596_sep96_decls2_0020.txt
Page: 0020
Total Pages: 48

Subject: STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF        

Unit: VAR. BUMED  

Parent Organization: BUMED       

Box ID: BX303818

Folder Title: USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992                                                  

Document Number:          4

Folder SEQ  #:         13










               way across the Atlantic. Simultan.c.ously, Standard Operating

               Procedures (SOPS) were being written, watch, quarters and

               stations (abandon ship) lists were drawn up, and life boat

               drills were conducted. Although little medical care was

               being provided, everyone felt busy.

                    Gas mask drills were begun aboard ship almost

               immediately. During the drills the ship took on a surreal

               ambiance. Silent crew members walked slowly around the

               ship, avoiding exertion and the attendant shortness of

               breath. People looked anxious, but tried to appear caln -

               even jovial. Several individuals were unable to wear their

               masks, feeling trapped and claustrophobic., One said, "I'd

               rather die from chemicals than feel trapped and in terror."

               Group desensitization sessions were helpful for individuals

               frightened of their mask. (Becker, 1991).

                    The fear of biological and chemical attack was

               palpable. During the presentation on the potential anthrax

               attack, the crew sat in silence, appearing anxious and

               frightened. Many questions were raised, I'llow would we

               ration the antibiotics?" "If we could fill up our

               respirators in a matter of hours, then what?" The message

               was clear - there was no way to be protected. After the

               meeting, there was very little discussion of the threat, and

               people went back to discussing missile attacks and other

               matters. The concept of total vulnerability was not




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Document 48 f:/Week-39/BX303818/USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992/stress and coping with trauma of war in the pers:1104960910243
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-39
Box ID = BX303818
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = USNS COMFORT TAH 20 MEDICAL ARTICLES 1991 1992
Folder Seq # = 13
Subject = STRESS AND COPING WITH TRAUMA OF WAR IN THE PERS
Document Seq # = 4
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 04-NOV-1996