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File: 123096_sep96_decls7_0004.txt
Subject: PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Unit: VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization: BUMED
Box ID: BX303902
Folder Title: PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Document Number: 1
Folder Seq #: 14
UNCLASSIFIED
FM 8-285/NAVMED P-5041 /AFM 160-11
atropine indicates that nerve agent poisoning prob- cal personnel.
ably is not present or is mild. In the presence of (2) 2 PAM Cl. Mild visual changes may be a
severe nerve agent poisoning. as much as 50 mg of sideeffectof 2 PAM Cl. After theadministrationof
atropinemayberequiredfortreatmentin a24-hour 3 injections of 2 PAM Cl, generally no further
period. More than 3 injections of atropine will be oximeaction isattained by additional injectionsof2
administered only by the combat lifesaver or medi- PAM Ci.
Section Ill. TREATMENT IN THE FIELD, SELF-AID AND BUDDY AID
2-9. Principles of Self-Aid and Buddy eye should be observed by a buddy. If the pupil
Aid rapidlygetssmaller.nerveagentantidoteshouldbe
a. The protective mask and hood must be put on administered. If the pupil does not get smaller. the
IMMEDIATEI,Y at the first signs of a chemical ocular contamination was not caused by a nerve
attack. (The protective overgarment should have agent and atropine is not needed.
already been put on prior to the use of chemicals on e. If good relief is obtained from one set of Mark I
the battlefield.) Stop breathing. put on your mask, injections and breathing is free, the service member-
clear and seal the mask. and resume breathing. T 'he should carry on with combat duties. Dryness of the
mask and protective clothing should be worn con- mouth is a good sign-it means enough atropine has
tinually until the "all clear" signal ha4 been given. been taken co overcome-the dangerous effects of the
not have a mask on. one nerve agent. If syrnptomsof the nerveagentare not
should be puton him or herIMMEDIATELY if the relieved, the service member should be adminis-
tered two more sets of the Mark I injections by a
atmosphere is still contaminated.
c. The appearance of symptoms of nerve agent buddy, i-n accordance with tjie provisions of para-
poisoning calls for the immediate intramuscular graph 2-1 1. If symptoms stil I persist and the pulse
injection of the nerve agent antidote (para 2-Ily. (heart rate) arops belbw 90 per- minute, bronchial
Since inhalation will be the most common route of secretions persist., or the skin remains moist, then
exposures the most likely initial symptom wili be -,theservicemembercanb@administdredadditional
rhinorrhea (runny nose). then dim visiop (mlosis), -acropine injectionsby CombatLifesaverormedical
followed by a feelingof tightneseorconstriction in personnel (including the aidmen, who carry addi-
the chest. After ocular (eyes) -or cutaneous (skin) tional atropine for the treatment of nerve agent
splash,-the initial system' icsymptoms may beloca-17 casualties) to maintain adequate atropinization.
ized sweating- and localized muscular-twitchina The service member should be e@acuated to a field -
followed by nausea and abdominal cramps. After medical treatment facility as so6n as the combat
situation permits.
ingestion. tbefirst-sym likely. tobp nnii
.sea and vomiting. In afiy case, use the nerve agent f A tropfh'e and 2 ?A W Cl'by inf6dtioR do- not
ve agent vapor on the
d. Any liquid nerve agent on the skin, on-the eyes. Although theeyes may hurt arrd there may be
clothing. or in theexes should be removed promptly. difficulty in focusing and a headache, the service
(1) If a liquid nerve agent gets on the skin. membersshould carry on with theircombatduties
decontamination must be @ccomlished within I- to the best of tbpir ability. These symptoms are
minute, as described in appendix (5. Then the usual annoying but not dangerous.
combat duties should be continued. The contami- g. Exposure to high concentrations of a nerve
nated area should be examined occasionally for agent may bring on incoordination, mentm confu-
local sweating and muscular twitching. If these sion, and/or collapse so rapidly that the casualty
amur, rrerveagerrtarttidote-s.@?d be@in@md. ca@prerfdr.,, bu@-. ItthishaplyeTis, the @@t
Combat duties should be continued, as systemic able service member must render buddy aid.
symptoms of nerve agent poisoning may not occur h. Severe nerve agentexposure may rapidly cause
or may be mild, if the decontamination was done unconsciousness, muscular paralysis, and the cessa-
'immediately and successfully. tion of breathing. When this occurs, antidote alone
(2) If a droporsplash of liquid nerve agent gets will not save life. Assisted ventilation; given as a
into the eye, instant action is necessary to avoid first aid measure by the nearest able person, must
serious effects. The eye should be irrigated imme- be started IMMEDIATEI,Y after administration
diately with wateras described in appendix G. Dur- of the Mark I injectionsand continued until natural
of the contaminated breathing is restored, the casualty can be treated by
2-12
UNCLASSIFIED
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Document 11 f:/Week-44/BX303902/PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING/prevention and treatment of nerve agent poisonin:1217960956196
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-44
Box ID = BX303902
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONING
Folder Seq # = 14
Subject = PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF NERVE AGENT POISONIN
Document Seq # = 1
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 = 17-DEC-1996