1.
Mission-Oriented
Protective Posture (MOPP)
Definition:
MOPP is a flexible system of protection against chemical agents, which is used
to facilitate mission accomplishment. Because of body heat buildup and basic
human needs, the over garment ca not be worn forever. MOPP does give the
commander a range of choices regarding the level of chemical protection.
Choices range from no protection at all to full protection.
2.
LIMITATIONS OF MOPP
Heat Exhaustion - individuals in protective gear
working at a heavy rate may experience heat exhaustion at any time, especially
during periods of high temperatures.
Work Rate - factors such as breathing resistance,
an increase in body temperature, as well as psychological and physiological
stress will reduce the total amount of work individuals can perform.
Five Senses - the senses and their related
functions such as manual dexterity, visual acuity and voice communication will
operate with less efficiency.
Personal Needs - individuals can not be in full
chemical protection for indefinite periods and still attend to certain personal
needs such as caring for wounds, personal hygiene, sleep and elimination of body
waste.
Eating - it is impossible to eat with a gas mask
on. The ability of troops to eat in an NBC environment depends on the type and
extent of contamination.
3.
LEVELS OF MOPP
There are four levels of MOPP.
MOPP Level 1 -
this
level of protection is established when the general warning is given
and the threat of NBC warfare exists.
- Over garment is worn open or
closed
- Over boots are carried
- Mask is carried
- Gloves are carried
MOPP Level 2
- this level of protection should be established during tactical situation that
requires units to cross-terrain where the previous use of chemical agents is
unknown.
- Over garment is worn open or
closed
- Over boots are worn
- Mask is carried
- Gloves are carried
MOPP Level 3
- this level of protection should be established when units are on the move and
a chemical attack is possible.
- Over garment is worn and
closed
- Over boots are worn
- Mask is worn; hood is open or
closed, based on temperature
- Gloves are carried
MOPP Level 4
- this level of protection should be established when a unit will be
operating within an area of contamination, or if there is an imminent
threat of attack.
-
Over garment is worn and closed
- Over
boots are worn
- Mask
and hood are worn and closed
- Gloves
are worn
4. NBC
DETECTION EQUIPMENT
The chemical agent detection devices
utilized by the armed forces include the following:
M8 Chemical Agent Detector Paper
Purpose
- the purpose of M8 paper is to identify the type of chemical agent
present in liquid form on the battlefield.
Supplied
- the M8 detection paper is supplied in a booklet and carried within the M40
field protective mask carrier.
Instructions For Use
- When an unknown liquid,
suspected of being a chemical agent is encountered, immediately don the M40
field protective mask and protective suit.
- When all protective clothing
has been put on obtain the M8 paper booklet from the carrier.
- Remove a half sheet from the
booklet, and if possible, affix the sheet to a stick (to use as a handle).
- Blot the paper onto the
unknown liquid and wait for 30 seconds for a color reaction to occur. The
resulting color may then be compared to the colors on the inside of the front
cover of the booklet to identify the type of liquid agent encountered.
|
Figure 1. Chemical Agent
Detector Paper |
M9 Chemical Agent Detector Paper
(See Figure 1)
Purpose
- used to detect the presence of liquid nerve and blister chemical agents.
However, M9 chemical agent detector paper does not identify either the specific
agent or the type of agent encountered.
Supplied - M9 detector paper comes in a
thirty-foot-long (30’) and two-inch (2”) wide roll strip in the form of a tape.
Instructions
For Use
- The tape is placed
around a sleeve and a trouser leg of the overgarments. (NOTE: The tape
contains an indicator dye that is a potential carcinogen Avoid contact
with the skin. Gloves should be worn during application,.)
- The tape is a dull off-white or cream color in
the absence of liquid agent. The
indicator chemical, when
dissolved in liquid agent turns a reddish color.
- When the service member sees
the tape turn a reddish color, immediately don your protective mask and alert
others.
- If there is a possibility of
skin contamination, immediately decontaminate the suspected area.
- False positive results can occur if liquid insecticides are
on the surface being tested. Antifreeze and petroleum products will also
cause false positive reactions.
M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector
Kit
Purpose - the M256A1 chemical agent detector kit
is used to detect and identify chemical agents present, either as a liquid or as
a vapor.
Supplies - the kit consists of a booklet of M8
paper to detect agents in liquid form and twelve (12) foil-wrapped detector
tickets containing eel enzymes as reagents to detect even very low
concentrations of chemical vapors.
Instructions For Use
- instructions for the use of this kit appear on the outside of each foil
package. There is also an instruction booklet in the kit. The kit detects
the following agents: nerve, blister and blood agents.
- Following the accompanying
instruction, the testing can be completed in approximately 20 minutes.
- During testing it is important
to keep the ticket out of direct sunlight. Sunlight speeds up the evaporation of
the reagents. The ticket, when testing, must be kept stationary during all parts
of the test.
5. PERSONAL
DECONTAMINATION
|
Figure
2. M291 Skin Decontaminating Kit |
M291 Skin Decontaminating Kit
(See Figure 2)
Purpose - to absorb and then
neutralize liquid chemical agents present on the skin.
Supplied
- the kit comes with six identical packets each containing a mixture of
activated resins in the form of applicator pads.
Instructions
For Use
- Remove a packet from the kit.
- Remove the applicator pad and apply an even coating of resin
powder while scrubbing the entire skin area suspected to be contaminated.
- One
applicator pad will decontaminate both hands and the face if necessary.
- If the face must be decontaminated, then the neck (including
the throat area) and the ears must also be decontaminated using a second
applicator pad.
- The black resin powder residue will provide a visual
confirmation of the thoroughness of application.
- The
resin will not cause skin irritations, even after prolonged contact with skin.
- Care must be taken in keeping the resin out of the eyes, mouth,
and open wounds.
Reference
NBC
Decontamination, FM 3-5, Pgs. 2-1 through 2-5
REV: July 2008
MOPP Review
1. List the five limitations of
MOPP.
2.
