Figure K-9. SOF Element Decontamination Options
a. Unsupported SOF Element Decontamination. When conducting unsupported SOF element decon the initial action to be taken is to locate and secure an upwind decontamination site (also serves as an objective rally point (ORP)). The same personnel tasked to set up the ORP secure the site. The remaining members of the element move to the contaminated area to conduct the mission. The personnel at the decontamination site go to MOPP 4 as the operational element returns from the contaminated area.
The ORP security personnel prepare to decon the returning element. The element members are checked for contamination at a liquid/vapor contamination control line or hot line with available detection equipment. If decontamination is necessary, the following operational element decontamination procedures should be applied.
Unsupported SOF Element Decontamination Steps
• Step 1. While the operational element moves to the objective, the remaining element members at the ORP set up a modified hasty decontamination site that includes a hot line and a sump for disposal of contaminated equipment and clothing. As the element members return from their mission, one member in the ORP acts as station operator/monitor while the other members provide security for the ORP/decon site.
• Step 2. The operational element halts at the hot line.
• Step 3. If a sample or equipment has been recovered it is checked for contamination and decontaminated if necessary.
• Step 4. Samples or recovered equipment are then placed into a Mylar bag (or acceptable substitute) held by the clean ORP member. Bag is sealed and placed on the clean side of the hot line.
• Step 5. SOF personnel and their personal equipment are now checked with the appropriate detectors. Equipment is either disposed of in the sump or decontaminated and checked again before declaring it clean.
• Step 6. After Step 5 is completed on the second soldier, using the buddy system, decontaminate the buddy’s protective mask hood using personnel and equipment decontamination kits, then roll protective mask hood. The risk during this step is the transfer of contamination to the neck and the accidental breaking of the mask seal during rolling.
• Step 7. The first and second personnel use the buddy system to remove the first soldier’s chemical protective overgarment/
battledress overgarment (CPOG/BDO) and discards it into the sump. Use of a knife, surgical scissor, or other cutting tool is appropriate during this step; however, the instrument used must be decontaminated after each cut. The first person moves to the next station 10 – 15 meters away.
• Step 8. At the second station the first person removes overboots and gloves. A contamination control line (CCL) is established and clearly marked. It is on the upwind side and delineates the dirty side from the clean side. Standing on the dirty side, individuals will remove one boot, leaving it on the dirty side, and stepping, with the same foot over, the CCL to the clean side. Likewise the individual will perform the same procedure with the other boot. Once completely standing on the clean side, individuals will remove their gloves ensuring they fall on the dirty side of the CCL. The risk during this procedure is the transfer of contamination across the CCL and the potential of personnel falling during boot removal.
• Step 9. The second person moves to the second station and removes his boots and gloves.
• Step 10. Each person’s protective mask is rechecked for contamination, decontaminated if necessary. Then each person moves upwind and removes his mask after the air is checked for contamination. If a replacement mask is available, the mask will also be discarded.
• Step 11. The next personnel continue in sequence from the beginning.
• Step 12. Continue in sequence.
• Step 13. When all personnel have been cleared, the station monitor polices all contaminated clothing left in the dirty area, places them in the sump, closes the sump, decontaminates gloves, and removes protective clothing.
• Step 14. Record/report the grid coordinates of the decon site and continue the mission.
K-12
b. Expedient Personnel Decontamination System (EPDS). EPDS is designed to address SOF equipment shortfalls in personnel decontamination procedures and equipment. The system is a one-man portable, lightweight system that does not displace an undue amount on an individual’s combat load. The EPDS is a validated system that provides rapid effective decontamination procedures that are easily integrated into existing SO tactics. This system weighs less than 20 lbs., can be set up within 10 minutes, and can decontaminate up to 20 personnel at a rate of less than five minutes per individual.
Expedient Personnel Decontamination System Tactical Planning Guidelines
! Decontamination of the force will occur at the closest permissive site to the target permitted by the tactical situation. In some missions, such as maritime interdiction operations (MIO), decontamination will likely occur directly on the objective after it is secure.
! Timely and effective decontamination is critical to prevent NBC casualties. SOF contamination challenges may be considerably higher than the standard 10/m2 that JSLIST Approved Material (JAM) is designed to protect against.
! Chemical Warfare (CW) break-through times on SOF personnel protective equipment (PPE) dictates the need to conduct decontamination at the soonest opportunity consistent with the tactical situation. CW break-through times are significantly reduced in the case of salt water exposed PPE, further heightening the importance of rapid decontamination.
! The nature of SOF operations in the NBC environment dictates the use of a supporting force to conduct decontamination is often tactically infeasible. The SOF decontamination capability must reside completely within the force and be effective post mission for both the healthy personnel and casualties.
! Contamination control is paramount. The reduction or elimination of the spreading of liquid or solid contamination off target and back to friendly forces, mission critical mobility platforms, or forward staging bases is critical.
! The procedure and equipment should not produce undue logistical burdens in terms of training, acquisition, or maintenance.
• The following is a generic sequence of events for a mission requiring EPDS in a potentially contaminated area. Figure K-10 depicts a basic layout for an EPDS decontamination site.
Generic EPDS Mission Sequence
! Determine presence of contamination or possibility of contamination. Establish contamination control area (CCA).
Ensure all personnel that are contaminated remain in that area.
! Call for EPDS.
! Designate operating and security personnel for EPDS.
! Establish Hot Line (HL), Mark HL, and Contamination Control Line (CCL).
! Set up DECON line considering environmental factors; wind rain, poor ventilation. Breakout equipment and set up according to space availability.
! Upon completion of set up direct contaminated personnel to begin equipment drop. (All personnel working EPDS should DECON boots and gloves first.) Place all sensitive equipment that requires DECON into equipment bags. WORK IN PAIRS WHEN POSSIBLE.
! Establish Litter DECON line if indicated. Include Emergency Medical Treatment (EMT) station in “Hot Zone.”
! Establish the Triage Area as the Casualty Control Point (CCP) and locate it on the clean side of the CCL.
! Begin DECON process.
• The EPDS Decontamination Process. The following procedures are specific to the EPDS.
One Piece Cut Out
! Direct breakout of Mk 1 medical kits.
! Take out M291s and M295s. Place kits in a pile at the “Hot Line.”
! Decon each other’s hoods with the M295. If time permits, decon as much area as possible to reduce any gross contamination and off gassing.
! Direct into first shuffle pit.
! Decon feet (shuffle feet in pit).
! Direct to the next shuffle pit, cutters begin cut out procedures.
! Cut both straps off hood (required), loosen neck cord.
! Contaminated person bends forward at the waist.
! Cutter - roll hood up from the “Rear Bottom” as far as possible, gather bottom into neck cord. Cut tails of cord if needed.
(Cutter decon hands)
! Cut wrist, waist, and ankle closures as appropriate for the ensemble worn. (Cutter decon hands)
! Release/cut boot closures. (Cutter decon hands)
! Contaminated person steps out of boots. (Cutter decon hands)
! Unzip zipper across back (if FREIS). (Cutter decon hands)
! Start at the lower side of zipper center (if dry suit cut from center rear neckline) down one leg as far as possible.
Figure K-10. Expedient Personnel Decontamination System (EPDS)