Marine Rifle Squad

drop flat on the ground or to the bottom of a fighting hole, keep your
eyes closed, and protect exposed skin from heat rays as much as possible
(keep hands and arms near or under your body and helmet on). This
immediate reaction will minimize serious burns.
(3) Protection from Nuclear Radiation. The different effects of nuclear
radiation require both immediate and delayed action. Initial nuclear radiation
is spent in the first minute or two after the burst, so protection
from it is the same as for thermal radiation and blast. Any material will
afford some protection from initial radiation, but denser items are better.
For example, earth is a better shield than water, and steel is better than
concrete.
(4) Protection From Residual Radiation. Under conditions where the
explosion takes place either on or beneath the surface, the resulting
residual radiation hazard is high. Particles of water spray, dust, and other
debris, which become radioactive through contact with the nuclear reaction
of the weapon, contaminate large areas. Individual protection consists
of avoiding the fallout particles. This may be accomplished in the
field by covering fighting holes with earth, a shelter half, or poncho. Open
food and water supplies should be destroyed if contaminated. Personnel
and equipment should be checked and decontaminated if necessary.
e. Decontamination. At the small-unit level, decontamination is usually
confined to personnel, equipment, and food.
(1) Personnel. Personnel decontamination should be accomplished as
soon as the tactical situation permits.
(a) Normal Procedure. In rear areas, and when permitted in the tactical
area, personnel bathe, usingplenty of soap and water. Particular
attention should be given to skin creases,hairy parts of the body, and
the fingernails.
(b) Field Expedient Procedures. When the tactical situation prohibits
normal procedures, field expedient procedures are used. Clothing
should be removed and shaken vigorously downwind. Shrubbery can
be used to brush radioactive particles from the clothing. Personnel
should put on a protective mask or cover their nose and mouth with
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