Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 43
Decontaminate patients with several gentle efforts, rather than with a single aggressive
effort. Soap and water are sufficient.
Remove contaminated hair if necessary, using scissors or electric clippers. To avoid
cutting the skin and providing an entry for internal contamination, do not shave.
Use occlusive dressings to promote sweating and removal of persistent contamination
from pores.
Survey areas with a Geiger counter frequently until decontamination is complete.
Once clothing is removed, decontamination should begin with any open wounds as there
is greater chance of internal contamination from these. A face shield should be placed
over the patient’s lower face to prevent splashing or movement of radioactive material
towards the mouth and nose (to prevent ingestion/inhalation).
If localized contamination persists after washing, cover the area with gauze and put a
glove or tape plastic over the area to promote sweating as this may remove additional
material from pores.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 406