RETURN   IN CASE OF NUCLEAR ATTACK: Individual action to protect against a nuclear burst: Before bursting: If alert is sounded followed unit SOP. If warned before explosion, pick strongest shelter you can find in a hurry. Underground shelters, basements, deep foxholes, and tanks give good protection. During and after bursting: 1. TAKE COVER If you see a brilliant flash of light brighter than sunlight, DIVE FAST FOR COVER. FALL FLAT on ground, face down, if shelter is more than a few steps away. CLOSE EYES. Keep head covered. Protect FACE and HANDS. Stay down until heavy material has stopped falling. 2. STAY CALM Be ready for orders and instructions. Help your leaders and to reform your unit. Your life and the success of your unit depend on your doing the right thing at the right time. 3. CONTINUE MISSION The nuclear burst is only one part of the enemy's plan. Be ready for more to come. Expect an enemy attack after an explosion near your position. Be prepared to attack following an explosion on enemy positions. EFFECTS OF A NUCLEAR BLAST: Blast Shockwave: Most injuries are caused by flying objects and individuals being hurled about by the high winds of the blast wave. Keep down; stay in shelter. Heat: 1. Flash Heat Bare skin can be burned at great distances from the explosion. Your clothes or any other material that will cast a shadow gives protection. Cover exposed skin areas. 2. Fires Flash heat starts forest and brush fires. Ignited fuel and short circuits start others. Fight fires in the normal manner. Nuclear Radiation: 1. Initial The initial radiation occurs in the first minute after detonation. By the time objects stop falling, this danger is over. If you are not wounded or burned, you probably will not be affected by nuclear radiation. 2. Residual (Fallout) Fallout is insignificant from an air burst.* If it follows another kind of burst*, you will be told what to do. *Air burst: weapon explodes in the air. Surface (at ground level) or subsurface (below ground level) bursts produce less heat and he defects, but a large amount of fallout.   IN CASE OF CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL ATTACK: When a toxic agent is suspected -- or the alarm is sounded -- or a chemical or biological attack is imminent or in progress and your position is hit by a bomb, shell, or rocket concentration; spray; or enemy smoke: 1. Stop breathing. 2. Mask. 3. Take cover if tactical situation permits. 4. Give alarm. 5. Decontaminate if mission permits. 6. Continue mission. 7. Remain masked until "all clear" is given. NERVE AGENT: If your nose suddenly starts running, chest feels tight, eyesight dims, or breathing becomes difficult -- give yourself one atropine injection (see below). CONTINUE MISSION. If your buddy has difficulty breathing, slobbers, sweats, vomits, twitches, jerks, staggers, or has pinpointed pupils -- mask him and give him atropine as necessary. CONTINUE MISSION. If your buddy has great difficulty getting his breath or stops breathing -- take action as immediately above, but also give him artificial respiration if mission permits. CONTINUE MISSION. BLISTER AGENT: If you get a liquid agent on the face or in the eyes -- decontaminate (see below). CONTINUE MISSION. If you get liquid agent on skin or clothing -- remove or cut away heavily contaminated clothing. Decontaminate skin and small areas of clothing (see below). CONTINUE MISSION. BLOOD AGENT: If you began breathing rapidly or gasping for air -- inhale amyl nitrate inserted inside mask. Move to fresh air if possible. CONTINUE MISSION. CHOKING AGENT: If you cough or choke, or if your chest becomes tight -- loosen clothing. CONTINUE MISSION. If shortness of breath occurs, keep warm and avoid movement. BIOLOGICAL AGENT: If there is no apparent effect on anyone -- CONTINUE MISSION. Observe disease prevention rules; keep wounds and cuts clean; act eat and drink only approved food and water. (Water may be decontaminated by boiling at least 15 minutes.) If you or your buddies get sick later (1-10 days) -- get medical aid and report sickness. HOW TO DECONTAMINATE FOR ANY LIQUID AGENT: A. IN EYES In the event liquid gets into eyes, take instant action: 1. Stopped breathing. 2. Tilt head back so that eyes looks straight upward. 3. Flush eyes and face with water. (Pour water slowly into eyes.) 4. Mask. Note: DO NOT use protective ointment in or around eyes. B. ON FACE ONLY If liquid is only on your face: 1. Stop breathing. 2. Pinch-blot liquid from face and flushed face with water. 3. Apply protective ointment; then removed and reapply protective ointment. 4. Mask. If, after masking, you suspect that agent is on your face, take a deep breath and hold it; then raise mask and perform steps 2 and 3 above. Reseat and clear mask. Keep ointment away from eyes. C. ON SKIN 1. Remain masked. 2. Pinch-blot liquid from contaminated area. 3. Flush area with water. 4. Rub on protective ointment. Remove ointment. 5. Reapply ointment and leave it on. D. HOW TO USE ATROPINE SYRETTE 1. Unscrew needle cover and remove. Keep wire loop in place. 2. Keeping needle end up, push wire loop down until seal breaks. Squeeze out 1 drop of liquid. Pull wire out. 3. JAB NEEDLE all the way into thigh muscle through clothing. 4. SQUEEZE TUBE EMPTY. 5. Massage area for quick effect. NOTE: continued giving atropine at 10-minute intervals if symptoms persist. The officer or noncommissioned officer in charge will tell you when to give more than three injections. Use atropine ONLY in NERVE AGENT poisoning. Government Printing Office: 1962 Note: This Graphic Training Aid (GTA) is to be used as a ready reference in case of such attack. Additional information is found in FM 21-41 and is included in Army training programs. Distribution: Active Army, National Guard, and USAR: 1 copy to each officer, warrant officer, in enlisted & civilian personnel - CONUS. Department of the Army Graphic Training Aid 3-7-2 (Supersedes GTA 3-2, November 1957) Return to Top Return to Previous Page