Basic Level Pre-Course Reading

Chapter 4
Personal Protection
4. PERSONAL PROTECTION
After completing this chapter, participants will be able to:
• describe how to avoid becoming contaminated;
• describe precautions for Secondary Contamination;
• describe the levels of responder Personal Protective Equipment, and when each level is appropriate;
• describe the need for Respiratory Protection; and,
• describe the risks of operating in Personal Protective Equipment worn at a CBRN incident.
This chapter will focus on enabling responders to protect themselves. A key protective
strategy is to avoid exposure to contamination where possible. The responder must
thoroughly understand both the capabilities and the limitations of the personal protective
equipment that is available. These limitations must not be exceeded.
4.1 CBRN Agent Avoidance Techniques
The first step in personal protection is taking preventative action. An effective responder
at an incident must minimize the likelihood of contact and exposure to the contaminant.
During the sarin attack on the Tokyo subway, 15% of the responders became
secondary casualties. Acts of heroism can add to the growing lists of casualties and
eliminate valuable responder resources.
Avoiding contamination starts during the approach to the scene. The importance of
recognizing the potential threat of a CBRN incident is discussed in Chapter 3. First
responders must stop before entering the incident scene, approach uphill and upwind,
reserve resources, and limit contact with casualties. These strategies will reduce the
numbers of people exposed to contamination and are further discussed in Chapter 5.
Agent avoidance topics discussed in this Chapter are:
• Avoiding Secondary Contamination
• Levels of responder Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
(including their limitations)
• Risks of operating in PPE at a CBRN incident
4.2 Secondary (Cross) Contamination
The potential for “secondary” or “cross” contamination of responders by other
responders or casualties who are contaminated will be of primary concern in any
terrorist incident involving CBRN materials. Cross-contamination can occur by direct
contact with contaminated clothes, skin, hair, or personal belongings such as handbags
and briefcases. It can come from direct contact with visible liquids or solids, airborne
CBRN First Responder Training Program
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Basic Level Course