Protection Against Chemical Weapons

An introduction

Source: A FOA Briefing Book on Chemical Weapons

There are four main cornerstones in the protection against chemical weapons, all of which are largely dependent upon each other to provide optimum effect. These four are:

physical protection: body protection, respiratory protection, collective protection,
medical protection: pretreatment, therapy,
detection: alarm, monitoring, verification, identification, all-clear,
decontamination: individual decontamination, equipment decontamination.

In addition to this equipment, tactical behaviour suitably adapted to the CW environment is an important component in the protection. Training in how to behave in CW environment and how CW protective equipment is used is essential, not least to give confidence in using equipment.

Even though the rescue teams are trained and have access to the best possible protective equipment, there will be a performance degradation once they have started to use the protective equipment. This is particularly noticeable in warm weather. Impermeable CW protective suits and also to some extent permeable suits which "respire" are very hot. During hard physical work, the surplus energy cannot be removed and therefore a person will rapidly become overheated and may suffer from heat collapse. This implies a major complication for CW protection during the summer, particularly in very hot areas such as deserts. Performance is also degraded in cooler weather.

Protective equipment is relatively clumsy, which implies that most tasks require longer to perform than normal. Endurance decreases and when a protective mask is worn, it becomes difficult to communicate with people in the neighbourhood.

Civilian Protection

In case of the civilian population, the immediate problem is protection during transfer to or from a collective shelter. This is the reason why it is possible to use a civilian protective mask of a simpler design.

For younger children, a protective jacket can be used instead of a protective mask. Such a jacket protects the respiratory organs and also gives some protection against CW agents in liquid form. A battery powered fan forces air through a filter and the purified air flows in front of the child's face.

Children younger than about 12 months can be given a protective "carry-cot". Slightly older children, but still too small to accept a protective jacket or a protective mask should be given some kind of collective protection.

Collective protection can be made available in shelters with filters which absorb the CW agents.

A warning system for CW agent attacks can consist both of sirens in urban areas and of warnings on the radio. The civil defence organization could equip special patrols for detection and relief in environments contaminated with CW agents. The civil defence can also have the responsibility for informing the general public when it isrisk-free to leave shelters, to air apartments, etc.