title: Unmasking procedures following a chemical attack: a critical review with recommendations.
abstract: U.S. Marine Corp and Army doctrine specifies a process for troops to remove the field protective mask in the aftermath of a chemical weapon attack. At the company/battery level, this procedure culminates in exposure of the respiratory system of selected troops to potential gas vapor. Commanders in the field rely on front-line corpsman and medics to provide lifesaving first aid in the event that toxic exposures take place. After this initial stabilization, casualties would be evacuated to an Echelon I medical facility, typically a Battalion Aid Station. The current tactical unmasking procedure, as specified in doctrine, is critically analyzed from a field medical perspective. Easy to implement recommendations are made, both to prevent lethal exposures and to better treat toxicity should prevention fail.
authors.affiliation: Battalion Surgeon, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division Camp, Lejeune, NC 28542, USA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
mesh_terms: D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000600:supply & distribution; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D003666:Decontamination; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000592:standards*; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004867:Equipment Design; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D008889:Military Personnel; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents