5.
Cyclic Work/Rest Values.
These cyclic work/rest values are obtained by considering the work
rate and the temperature. Use these values as a guide to determine
how long individuals may work and must rest to keep heat casualties at
a minimum.
6.
Urgency of the Mission.
Urgency of the mission is a key factor to consider when personnel are
in MOPP Gear. Must the mission be done now, or can you delay it to a
time when the MOPP level is reduced? When some compromise becomes
necessary, mission accomplishment comes first.
For instance, if the unit must conduct a mission involving a heavy
work rate, such as a combat assault, on a hot day while under an
attack employing chemical agents, then the unit will have to
accomplish the mission in full protective gear. This situation may
cause significant numbers of heat casualties or chemical agent
casualties. If so, the commander may prefer accepting heat casualties
because they are likely to recover fully. Acclimation, or the
adjustment that the body makes to the wearing of full or partial
protective clothing, will reduce the number and severity of heat
casualties. Well-trained troops will perform better and for longer
periods and will suffer far fewer casualties.
7.
Personal Needs.
In using the MOPP system, the commander and staff must also consider
personal needs when soldiers must wear MOPP Gear for long periods.
These needs are: eating, drinking, sleeping, eliminating body wastes,
bathing, shaving and changing clothes.
a. Feeding.
The feeding of personnel in a chemical environment depends primarily
on the type and extent of the contamination. If the unit is in a
contaminated area where there is also a vapor hazard, feeding must be
done inside some sort of collective protection, if any is available.
The M51 Collective Protection Shelter could be used for this purpose.
Available shelter will probably have a small capacity. This could be
done on a rotational basis but could also be done by a unit
replacement system. If the unit is located in an area that is heavily
contaminated and no collective protection is available, troops must be
withdrawn to a nearby safe area or to a rear area for feeding. The
method used would be dependent on the situation, the distance
involved, and the availability of an uncontaminated area.
IS0345
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