PART B - PROTECTION FOR PERSONNEL, SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENT
To protect personnel, supplies, and equipment from the effects of an
NBC attack, you must understand how to react to a nuclear, chemical or
biological attack.
1.
Reaction to a Nuclear Attack.
The enormous and rapid effects of a nuclear burst make it imperative
that personnel react quickly. Personnel must know how to protect
themselves against the three casualty-producing effects: the blast
wave, thermal radiation, and nuclear radiation. Time is the critical
factor in protection from a nuclear blast. If the possibility exists
of a surprise nuclear attack, all personnel not engaged in any
essential activity should remain under cover as much of the time as
possible, because the time available for getting under cover will be
so short and exposure to some of the nuclear effects occurs almost
simultaneously with the detonation. When given warning, a unit can
perform several kinds of protective measures that cannot be done when
an attack occurs without warning.
a. Reaction When Not Warned of a Nuclear Attack.
When personnel receive no warning of an impending nuclear attack, they
must act the instant they sense the bright flash of light.
Depending on the size of the weapon and your distance from the burst,
your unit may have only seconds to take cover. Defensive action must
be automatic. Heat comes with the bright light of the explosion, and
a blast wave follows within seconds.
WARNING
Do NOT run for cover.
You might still be on your feet when the wind and/or heat
arrives. Take cover where you are.
Each soldier must take these actions:
Step 1.
Drop flat to the ground, face down with head towards
burst (A, Figure 1-2) or to the bottom of a foxhole
(B, Figure 1-2).
Step 2.
Close your eyes.
Step 3.
Protect any exposed skin from the heat by putting your
hands and arms near or under your body. Keep your
helmet on if possible and turn your head toward the
blast.
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