4-1: Chemical Warfare Flashcards
Identify four types of casualty-causing agents.
Nerve, Blister, Blood, Choking
Chemical compounds are more toxic OR less toxic than chemical agents.
Less toxic
Which agent is described as follows? Odorless, amber-colored liquid similar to motor oil; Low evaporation rate; Likely to be absorbed as aerosol or liquid; Causes death within 15 minutes of fatal dose absorbed; Body detoxification rate is very low.
VX
What are the three nerve agent antidotes?
Atropine sulfate, Pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM-Cl), Diazepam (CANA)
6 categories to classify chemical agents
physiological effects, military use, physical state, persistence, route of entry, onset of effects
How are chemical agents categorized based on military use?
casualty causing, incapacitating, chemical compounds
How does the physical state of a chemical agent correlate to its persistency?
aerosols persist as long as the environment allows (low temp, low wind)
Symptoms of MILD nerve agent exposure
pupils contract to pinpoints (myosis), headache, involuntary muscle twitching, chest tightness, mucus secretion from nose/mouth
Symptoms of MODERATE nerve agent exposure
difficulty breathing, nausea
Symptoms of SEVERE nerve agent exposure
involuntary defecation, urination, convulsions, paralysis of respiratory muscles, mental impairment, death
Nerve agents are divided into two categories
G-series & V-series
VX series nerve agents is..
most persistent of ALL chemical agents, death usually occurs within 15 mins
Symptoms of blister agent
severe inflammation, blistering, destruction of skin tissues, can act on the eyes/mucus membranes/lungs/skin
3 categories of blister agents
mustards, arsenicals, urticants
How do blood agents act?
enter the body through inhalation, interfering with the normal transfer of O2 from red blood cells to body cells
Symptoms of blood agent
convulsions and low pulse rate appear first, breathing may become rapid or labored (active phase), lack of energy, falling BP, difficulty breathing (passive phase)
What is the ACTIVE phase of blood agent poisoning?
breathing rapid or choking may cause breathing to become labored
What is the PASSIVE phase of blood agent poisoning?
lack of energy, falling blood pressure, difficultly breathing
How do choking agents affect the body?
irritate and burn the entire respiratory tract when inhaled; gases damage tissue from the inside of the nose and throat, down to the smallest recesses in the lungs
how long it will remain in one place
persistency
> 24 hours
persistent
< 24 hours
non-persistent
high volatility means…
non-persistent
low volatility means…
persistent
percutaneous or non-percutaneous
route of entry
enters thru respiratory trace, open wounds, eyes, ingestion
non-percutaneous (all agents that are vapors are this)
enters thru unbroken skin or can damage skin directly
percutaneous
quick-acting
onset of effects
How do nerve agents work?
disrupt electrical impulse transmission in nervous system
Delayed effect of choking agent
pulmonary edema (fluid filling the lungs)
temporarily interfere with normal mental process resulting in an inability to think/act rationally
Incapacitating agents
2 types of Incapacitating Agents
Psychochemical & Physiochemical
How do psychochemical Incapacitating Agents work?
suppressing or overstimulating the nervous system
How do physiochemical incapacitating agents work?
give a false alarm signal to the body which causes it to respond with a strong emotional stimulus
What is the the pre-treatment for nerve agent exposure?
Pyridostigmine Bromide (PB) pills
CO can start PB pill treatment for crew up to ___ week prior to entry into a high risk area
one
What are the three nerve agent antidotes?
Atropine sulfate, Pralidoxime Chloride (2-PAM-Cl), Diazepam (CANA)
What is Atropine sulfate?
first drug used in treatment for nerve agent poisoning, 16mg limit in the form of three 2 mg auto-injectors (the remaining 10 mg is for intravenous use if applicable)
What is Pralidoxime Chloride (2-PAM-Cl)?
breaks initial bond between the nerve agent and cholinesterase, 900 mg limit in the form of three 300mg auto-injectors
What is Diazepam (CANA)?
anticonvulsant drug, can only be administered by a corpsman, not used as self-aid bc it is used for an incapacitated person convulsing
How to self-aid when exposed to a nerve agent?
1) ID mild symptoms of nerve agent exposure (myosis, headache, muscle twitching, chest tightness, mucus secretion)
2) Stop breathing and don mask
3) Self-administer one atropine injection in meaty thigh or glute and hold in place for 5-10s
4) Remove injector and bend needle back 180 degrees and hook into shirt pocket flap or wherever can be visible so that people know you have self-aided
5) Self-administer one 2-PAM Cl injection the same way
6) Wait 10-15 mins, if nerve agent symptoms subside of atropine symptoms become present (rapid pulse, dry mouth and skin), you should be good to go
What are the steps of nerve agent buddy-aid?
1) ID SEVERE symptoms of nerve agent exposure in another individual and determine they are unable to self-aid
2) If vapor hazard still exists, don mask and don mask on casualty
3) Locate and account for casualty’s atropine and 2-PAM Cl auto-injectors
4) Inject casualty with what is remaining of the 6 auto-injectors (3 atropine and 3 2-PAM Cl); hook all to the front of casualty’s person
5) If required, locate corpsman to administer CANA
6) Notify medical and move casualty to CAA
What to do in the event of BLOOD agent exposure?
Stop breathing, don mask
What to do in the event of INCAPACITATING agent exposure?
Don mask and decontaminate the skin
