Field Sanitation

Question 1

What is the mission of the Unit Field Sanitation Team?

Answer 1

To assist commanders in maintaining the health and the well-being of the soldiers assigned to the unit.
Accomplished by:
-performing arthropod and rodent management control measures within the unit area
-supervising the disinfection of unit bulk water supplies and monitoring residual chlorine levels

Question 2

Who makes up the Unit Field Sanitation Teams?

Answer 2

One NCO and one enlisted soldier. Soldiers appointed to field sanitation teams should have at least 6 months of service remaining with the unit after completion of certification training.

In nits with organic medical personnel, the NCO should be a medical NCO

Question 3

The rigors of extended deployments and conducting operations in austere environments present significant challenges to a soldier’s ability to maintain basic standards of hygiene and sanitation- what are some of the health threats to soldiers in the field?

Answer 3

Endemic diseases
Food and waterborne diseases
Entomological hazards (nuisance pests and disease-carrying vectors)
Toxic industrial materials (industrial and agricultural)
Deployment-related stress
Hazardous noise
Climatic or environmental extremes (heat, cold, wind-blown sand, or other particulates)

Question 4

AR 40-5 states that every soldier is responsible for his own well-being and that he will implement and employ all protective measures possibly to preserve his health- what will each soldier, at minimum, protect against?

Answer 4

Heat injury-follow work/rest and water consumption guidelines, by properly adhering to uniform wear policies, and by using sunscreen on exposed body parts
Cold injury-wear proper cold-weather clothing and frequently changing socks to keep feet dry, by careful handling of gasoline-type liquids, and by avoiding contact between skin and cold metal
Mosquito, fly, tick (anthropodborne diseases)by using insect repellent, netting, and insecticide aerosols; by taking approved chemoprophylaxis; and by wearing the uniform properly
Enteric diseases by using water purification tablets whenever water quality is uncertain and by avoiding foods prepared by unapproved food vendors, and by properly disposing of bodily wastes
Skin diseases by washing the body as often as practicable

Question 5

What is one of the most effective practices that soldiers can perform to protect themselves and others from the spread of diseases?

Answer 5

To thoroughly wash or sanitize their hands frequently

Soldiers who fail to wash their hands frequently increase the risk of spreading germs picked up from other sources, and infecting others.

Question 6

When should a soldier wash and/or sanitize the hands, at minimum?

Answer 6

• before eating/snacking
• after eating/snacking
• before handling and/or preparing food
• after using the latrine
• after handling anything that could potentially transfer germs
• frequently during the work day to keep hands germ-free
• after coming into contact with any local flora or fauna
• after physical contact with local nationals

Question 7

What must soldiers do to avoid potential heat injury?

Answer 7

Soldiers must become acclimatized (at least 3-5 days. Full acclimatization can take up to 2 weeks)
Use sunscreen on all exposed body parts
Drink plenty of water, depending on heat/activity level, soldiers may need to drink from 1/2 to 1 1/2 quarts of water per hour. 3 gallons or 12 quarts per day in hot, dry climates
Use work/rest cycles, as leaders direct-a rest period helps prevent dangerous increases in body temperatures by minimizing heat production
Eat all meals to replace salts; eating all meals in the field will usually provide the body’s requirements for salts-field rations are designed to meet the daily requirements for mineral and electrolytes
Modify the uniform, when directed/authorized by the commander to reduce heat stress and to protect against UV radiation

Question 8

What must soldiers do to avoid potential cold injury?

Answer 8

• Wear clothing as directed by commanders and leaders
• Wear clothing in loose layers. Avoid tight clothing, including tight underwear
• Keep clothing clean and dry
• Remove or loosen excess clothing when working or in heated areas to prevent sweating
• Wear headgear to prevent body heat loss-the body loses large amounts of heat through the head
• Change wet/damp clothes as soon as possible
• Keep the body warm by continuing to move, if possible
• Exercise large muscle groups (arms, shoulders, trunk, legs) frequently to keep warm
• If soldiers must remain in a small area, exercise the toes, fee, fingers and hands
• Avoid standing directly on cold, wet ground
• Avoid tobacco products. (tobacco decreases blood flow to the skin)
• Eat all meals to maintain energy
• Drink plenty of water and/or warm nonalcoholic fluids
• Buddies should monitor each other for cold-weather injury

Do not attempt to rewarm frozen body parts unless under medical supervision

Question 9

What is the body’s normal response to the cold?

Answer 9

For the blood vessels in the skin and remote parts of the extremities to constrict and conserve warmed blood for the vital organs.

Question 10

How much of needed sleep will sustain a soldier’s performance indefinitely?

Answer 10

7-8 hrs of sleep in a 24 hr period. Sleep periods do not need to be taken all at one time; they can be divided into two or more sleep periods per 24 hr period as long as 7 or more hours are obtained.

Question 11

What is probably the most important item of supply to a military force?

Answer 11

Water

Question 12

What are the rules of water discipline?

Answer 12

• Drink water from approved sources only
• Prevent water waste
• Protect water sources with good sanitary practices

Question 13

What is potable water?

Answer 13

Water from a source that has been treated and approved by preventive medicine personnel to meet the short-term potability or long-term potability standards, and is therefore considered safest to drink for the period that the standards apply

(may or may not be palatable)

Question 14

What is non-potable water?

Answer 14

Water from an untreated source or treated source (including bottled water) that is not safe to drink-in the operational environment, water from any source that has not been tested and determined to be safe by preventive medicine personnel or another local medical authority for use as drinking water is considered non-potable

Question 15

What is palatable water?

Answer 15

Water that is cool, aerated, significantly free from color, turbidity, taste, and odor, and is generally pleasing to the senses.

Question 16

In terms of water, what is disinfection?

Answer 16

A water treatment process in which pathogenic (disease-producing) organisms are destroyed or otherwise inactivated-common methods of disinfecting include boiling, UV radiation, and various procedures using chlorine, chlorine dioxide, iodine, or ozone.

(preferred method in US-chlorination)

Question 17

Essentially, what are two sources of water found in the field?

Answer 17

Raw water sources: fresh or seawater that has not been previously used, treated or purified
Other water sources: approved for use by preventive medicine personnel

Question 18

What are pathogens?

Answer 18

Biological agents that cause disease or illness to its host - waterborne pathogens can cause diseases that constitute a serious health threat to soldiers in the field

Question 19

What pathogens are most commonly associated with waterborne disease?

Answer 19

Bacteria, protozoa, and viruses

Question 20

What chemicals do member of unit field sanitation teams and soldiers in the field rely on to disinfect drinking water?

Answer 20

• Calcium hypchlorite

- Water purification tablets, chlorine and/or iodine

Question 21

What bulk water storage and distribution equipment is found at the unit level?

Answer 21

• Unit water pod systems (Camel)
• Water trailers M149A2, and M1112 trailers
• Five gallon plastic water cans

Question 22

What are the procedures used to purify water in a one-quart and two-quart canteen with calcium hypochlorite ampoules?

Answer 22

1) Fill the canteen with the cleanest, clearest water available, leaving an air space of an inch or more below the neck of the canteen
2) Fill a canteen cup half full of water and add the calcium hypochlorite from one ampule, stirring with a clean utensil until this powder is dissolved
3) Fill the cap of a plastic canteen half full of the solution in the cup and add it to the water in the canteen. Then place the cap on the canteen and shake it thoroughly
4) Loosen the cap slightly and invert the canteen, letting the treated water leak onto the threads around the next of the canteen
5) Tighten the cap on the canteen and wait at least 30 minutes before using the water for any purpose

Question 23

How do you disinfect the water in your canteen using iodine tablets?

Answer 23

1) Fill the canteen with the cleanest, clearest water available
2) Add two iodine tablets to two-quart canteens. A two percent solution of tincture of iodine may be used in place of iodine tablets
3) Put the cap on the canteen. Shake the canteen to dissolve tablets
4) Wait five minutes. Loosen the cap and tip the canteen over to allow leakage around the canteen threads
5) Tighten the cap and wait an additional 25 minutes before drinking

Question 24

What is critically important and cannot be overemphasized in the prevention of food-borne disease?

Answer 24

Hand hygiene - thorough hand washing remains one of the most effective methods of preventing the spread of food-borne disease

Question 25

What are the steps taken in rat and mouse control?

Answer 25

1) Prevent entry into the storage facility - holes should be covered or filled in and doors should close tightly
2) Eliminate rodent hiding places by placing subsistence on pallets away from walls
3) Food sources should be eliminated by proper garbage disposal and good housekeeping

Question 26

What are the primary options for disposal of nonhazardous solid waste in the field?

Answer 26

Burning, burial, backhauling

Question 27

If burning or contract removal is not an option solid waste must be buried - how far away must burial sites be from any Natural water source and kitchens (or food consumption sites)?

Answer 27

At least 300 feet away from any natural water source used for cooking or drinking such as a stream, lake, or well
The burial site should also be at least 100 feet from kitchens (or food consumption sites) to minimize problems with insects, rodents, and odor

Question 28

On the march, or in the field for less than one week in duration, where should solid waste be buried?

Answer 28

In pits or trenches - pits are preferred for overnight halts (4x4x4 deep for 1 day for a unit of 100 people).

Trench preferred for longer than a 2 day stay. Filled not more than 1’ form the top

Question 29

What are the two categories of wastewater?

Answer 29

1) Black water - refers to latrine wastewater containing human waste
2) Gray water - refers to wastewater from nonlatrine sources such as showers, laundry, kitchen operations, vehicle was racks, and hand wash devices.

Question 30

What are the 3 traditional field expedient methods for disposal of gray water?

Answer 30

Soakage pits, soakage trenches, and evaporation beds

Evaporation field is the simplest method of disposing of large amounts of gray water

Question 31

There are 4 types of latrine systems that can be employed to meet the requirements of soldiers in the field - what are these types of latrines?

Answer 31

1) Portable/disposable latrine system - useful for soldiers who are mobile, or will only be in place for a short period of time
2) Chemical latrine systems - prefabricated latrines that are placed and serviced under contract from a trusted vendor
3) Containerized latrine systems - latrines that are dug and/or constructed from readily available materials by the soldiers who will use them - these systems are generally used when soldiers are mobile or when they are just establishing a new base of operations.

Question 32

What is the cat-hole latrine?

Answer 32

Used when the unit is on the move - its a hole approximately 1’ deep and 1’ in diameter. After using a cat hole it must be completely filled in and the dirt packed down

Question 33

What latrine is used if the unit remains in one place for up to 3 days?

Answer 33

The straddle trench latrine

Each trench is dup one foot wide, 2 1/2 fee deep, and at least 4’ long. Multiple trenches should be dug at least 2 feet apart. Each 4’ trench will accommodate two soldiers

Question 34

What latrine is used if a unit will remain in one place longer than three days?

Answer 34

The deep pit latrine

uses a two or four seat box either issued to, or built by, the unit using

Question 35

What is meant by “closing a latrine”?

Answer 35

1) When a trench or pit latrine has been filled to within one foot of the surface, or when it is to be abandoned, it must be closed
2) The contents of the pit, the side walls, and the ground surface (to a distance of 2’ from the side walls) should be sprayed with an approved insecticide
3) The pit is then filled to ground level with successive, 3” layers of earth
4) Each layer is packed down and its surface is sprayed with a DOD-approved insecticide before the next layer is added
5) The latrine pit is then mounded over with at least 1’ of compacted earth
6) The purpose of this method of closing is the prevent emergence of flies that may hatch in the closed latrine
7) The location of the latrine should then be marked with a CLOSED LATRINE sign and dated, provided the tactical situation permits

Question 36

What is the best improvised device for urine disposal in the field?

Answer 36

A urine soakage pit

(dug 4’ square and 4’ deep and filled with an aggregate material. A border is placed along each edge so that each side of the soakage pits surface is 5’ long. The border should be 6” wide, 4” deep, and composed of small stones. Depending on available materials, use either pipe urinals or trough urinals with this pit. For the urine soakage pit to function properly, soldiers must not be allowed to urinate on the surface of the pit

Question 37

What rodents are most commonly encountered by soldiers and pose the greatest health threat to soldiers in the field?

Answer 37

1) Norway (rattus norvegicus)
2) Roof rat (rattus, rattus)
3) house mouse (mus musculus)

Question 38

Most soldier’s physiological responses to heat stress improve in 10-14 days of exposure to heat and regular strenuous exercise - what factors are there to consider when acclimatizing soldiers?

Answer 38

1) The wet bulb-globe temperature index
2) Work rates and duration
3) Uniform and equipment
4) Soldiers physical and mental conditions

Question 39

What are heat cramps?

Answer 39

Painful muscle cramps that may occur after exposure to heat and are caused primarily by the excessive loss of mineral salts from the body - heat cramps normally involve the muscles of the arms, legs, and abdomen and may be severe enough to render a soldier ineffective

Question 40

What is heat exhaustion - the most common form of heat injury?

Answer 40

It is a result of peripheral vascular collapse due to excessive salt depletion and dehydration - this condition is the result of excessive loss of both salt and water, usually due to profuse sweating as the body attempts to cool itself

Symptoms include: profuse sweating, trembling, weakness, loss of coordination

Question 41

What is the result when the body’s heat balance mechanism collapses and the primary method of heat loss (cooling by evaporation of sweat) shuts down?

Answer 41

Heat stroke

Early signs: headache, dizziness, delirium, weakness, nausea, vomiting, may not be sweating

Question 42

How is hypothermia defined?

Answer 42

As a core temperature below 95 degree F (35 C), which represents a fall from normal body temperature of about 3.5 degrees F (2 C)

Early sign: intense shivering

Question 43

What is immersion syndrome?

Answer 43

A nonfreezing cold injury that develops when tissues are exposed to cold-wet conditions - usually between 32 F and 60 degrees F for prolonged periods more than 12 hours increases risk usually taking about 3-5 days minimum for full onset

Question 44

What are four properties or characteristics of noise determine whether a given noise is likely to be hazardous to workers’ hearing?

Answer 44

1) Hearing
2) Intensity
3) Nature of the noise
4) Exposure duration

Question 45

What are 2 early signs of hearing loss?

Answer 45

1) Ringing ears

2) Speech that sounds muffled - speech and other important sounds have to be louder to be heard or understood

Question 46

What Army Techniques Publication covers Unit Field Sanitation Team?

Answer 46

ATP 4-25.12