(8) Wait an additional 30 minutes before drinking the water. The additional
time is needed to ensure that the iodine has sufficient time to kill all of the harmful
microorganisms in the water.
NOTE:
There are other methods for purifying water, such as chlorine ampoules,
tincture of iodine, and common household bleach. If none of the purifying
agents are available, boil the water for five to ten minutes.
b. Food Sources. Obtain food, drink, and ice only from sources approved by
the local military medical authority. Obtain food from the dining facility when possible.
Do not buy food and drink from unapproved civilian sources. These sources almost
never meet the high standards of the medical authority. Obtaining ice from an
unapproved source is particularly dangerous because few civilian vendors disinfect their
water before freezing it. As the ice melts in your glass or mouth, bacteria in the ice will
become active again.
c. Washing Your Hands. Your hands may have collected germs from many
sources (the ground, dust in the air, the latrine door, the hands of your friends, your own
nose, your weapon, ammunition, and so forth.). You should spend at least 30 seconds
washing your hands with soap and water. Water from your canteen can be used if other
water is not available.
(1) Wash your hands after using the latrine. Pay special attention to
cleaning under your fingernails.
(2) Wash your hands just before and after you eat, handle eating utensils, or
handle food items.
(3)
Wash your hands after smoking.
9-11. WASTES
a. Disposing of Food Wastes.
(1) Dispose of food waste in a covered container to keep pests out and to
reduce breeding areas for flies.
(2) Use plastic bags if you have dumpster-type receptacles and regular
waste pick-up.
(3) Bury waste if you are in the field and do not have waste pick-up or other
disposal methods available.
NOTE:
Before burying any waste, obtain approval by contacting either the
logistics or the preventive medicine section.
IS0877
9-22
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