Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Decontamination of Chemical CasualtiesFig. 16-5. TVI (TVI Corporation Inc, Glenn Dale, Md) decontaminationpop-up shelter consisting of a light-weight scissorframe tent, integrated plumbing, heater, water bladder, andquickly expandable light-weight roller system with backboard.It can easily be erected within a few minutes by twoindividuals. Shown is a small size tent. Can be configuredfor both ambulatory and litter patients.Photograph: Courtesy TVI Corporation.assembly are on the market.OSHA’s recommended best practice for fixed facilitiessuch as hospitals is to build decontaminationfacilities outside the building or near the emergencyentrance. 44 Fixed decontamination facilities allow forimmediate decontamination of casualties because noFig. 16-6. A medium sized Reeves DRASH (deployable rapidassembly shelter). The scissors construction allows for tentexpansion similar to the TVI tent but with the framework onthe inside of the shelter. It also has integrated plumbing anda litter roller system. Can be configured for both ambulatoryand litter patients.Photograph: Courtesy of Lt Col Charles Boardman, US AirForce, US Army Medical Research Institute of ChemicalDefense. Reproduced with permission from Reeves EMSLLC, Orangeburg, NY.set-up time is required. A well trained crew can typicallyset up a pop-up decontamination shelter in 10to 20 minutes, depending on the type of equipmentused. 76 For units expected to assist in decontaminaabFig. 16-7. The US Army’s method of using litter stands, buckets, and sponges. This process requires more frequent lifting ofpatients and water buckets than shelters with roller systems. The advantage, on the battlefield, is that this decontaminationequipment is easy to carry. Ample quantities of water are still needed unless dry decontamination is used. This method iscurrently preferred by Army field units that cannot carry large quantities of equipment.Photographs: Courtesy of Lt Col Charles Boardman, US Air Force, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense,and Peter Hurst, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense.545