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Show 6 HILL TOP TIMES Fridoy, July 25, 1986 4 Soviets: By Beverly Blackner Disaster Preparedness Office Chemical warfare became a modern world problem mainly as a result of the massive use of chemical agents in World War I. Chemicals were initially employed as incapacitants to disable enemy troops temporarily, but casualty agents with high toxicity were soon developed and used by both sides. The years between World War I and World War II saw the development of a military chemical servicexcapability in the Soviet Union, the intensification of research and development programs involving chemical agents, and the emergence of Germany as a world power. Although chemical warfare agents were not used in World War II, new nerve agents, had agents, the been developed by the Germans and manufacturing plants had been built. G-ty- pe t Chemical warfare research continues During the German collapse of 1944 and 1945, the Soviets captured some of these facilities, transported them to Russia and reportedly initiated production there. During this time, Soviet chemical service troops saw action primarily in smoke and flamethrower units. After World War II chemical warfare research continued unabated. The nerve agents were developed; new anticrop agents became available; incapacitants the psychochemicals were developed; and improvements in chemical research methodology made natural toxins more readily assessable as potential chemical warfare agents. Since World War II the Soviet chemical service has been reorganized, was expanded in size, and its integration into the total Soviet armed forces structure appears to have been completed; V-ty- pe mies, including protective masks and clothing, various collective protection a Chemical Directorate within the Soviet Ministry of Defense probably administers the chemical service. Soviet ground force chemical troops are now assigned to fronts, divisions, regiments and battalions, and chemical observers are assigned to motorized rifle and tank companies. The organization of the chemical services in other Warsaw Pact countries is probably similar to that in the Soviet Union. During these years the chemical warfare doctrine for the Warsaw Pact countries has also become well established. Although it is not known in detail, adequate information exists to allow interpretation of potential offensive operations. While the Soviets unquestionably have the technology and capability to manufacture all types of chemical warfare agents, information on their stockpiles appears to be mostly speculative, and size estimates range from several times to many times those indicated for the United States. Among the chemical agents in their inventory, the Soviets have hydrogen cyanide, soman, thickened soman, and VR-5the last believed by some authors to be another designation for thickened soman. A full gamut of protective material is fielded by Warsaw Pact ar systems, chemical agent Project? MairirSoir. s and identification kits, individu- al decontamination kits, a wide variety deconof portable and vehicle-mounte- d tamination equipment, including vehicles and person- rapid-decontaminati- on nel decontamination stations. Research and development programs within the Warsaw Pact countries appear to cover all areas of chemical warfare activities and, thus, to ensure the continued existence of a significant chemical warfare capability. At present, the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries are considered to be far better prepared and more extensively equipped for chemical warfare than any other nations in the world. When comparing the NATO countries with the Warsaw Pact countries, many authors concluded that no greater disparity exists than that in the chemical warfare area and, consequently, it would be unusual from a military standpoint if the Soviets did not employ their chemical warfare capabilities in any military operations involving the NATO countries. Are you prepared? Questions can be 5, chemical-biological-radiologi- detector-alarm- directed to the Base Disaster Preparedness Office, building 133, Ext. 74184 or 74185. cal Drowning now third on accidental death list By Ron Rich Ogden ALC Safety Office According to the National Safety Council, drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Every year approximately 8,000 people die by this means. However, a recent pamphlet issued by the U.S. Department of Transporta- tion provides some information indicating that in some cases, victims who appear to have drowned and are considered beyond help, may be saved despite long submergence and absence of life signs. Dr. Martin Nemiroff, assistant professor of the Pulmonary Division, University of Michigan Medical School, gives recent medical research stating that cold water drowning victims may live. Dr. Nemiroff s research has revealed that sudden face contact with cold water, below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes touches off a primitive response called the "mammalian diving reflex." This complex series of body responses shuts off blood circulation to most body parts except the heart, lungs and brain. Thus, what little oxygen remains in the blood gets transported to the brain where it is most needed. Even though it is a small amount, since the brain is cool, it requires less oxygen. While little is known about human diving reflexes, scientists know that diving mammals like whales, porpoises and seals, depend on a similar mechanism to survive long periods under water. By itself, this response will not protect everyone. Survival depends on how long the person is under water, how cold the water is, age of the victim and how well rescuers do their jobs. Following are actions that most individuals can take before professional help arrives in event of a emergency: Clear the air passage and begin rescue breathing and external heart massage (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Don't worry about getting water out of the victim's lungs; the body will absorb cold-wat- mouth-to-mou- er th it quickly. Prevent the victim from losing more body heat, but do not Improper may harm the victim. Get the victim to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible. In the meantime, CPR must continue, uninterrupted, until the victim is under care of competent medical personnel. Don't give up on procedures. The victim may look dead, the skin can be blue and cold to the touch and there could be no detectable heartbeat or breathing; eyes may be fixed and dilated and there may be no signs of life. However, if the water was cold, the victim may still be alive. Because children and young people are the most frequent drowning victims, they are also good candidates for resuscitation because they have a more pronounced diving reflex. Research at the Universiof ty of Michigan Hospital revealed that 3V2 victims the and years-old drowning younger were successfully resuscitated. The rule seemed to be "the colder the water and the younger the victim, the better chance for survival." Even though the above seems to be true, procedures should not be abandoned for older victims. The following true account is given as an example: minutes-HRdeF - - - "Youth survives-3water Jackson', re-war- m. two-thir- cold-wat- -- er 8 -- ds Mich. An college student skidded off the road and plunged into an pond. The car all The bubbles. air rolled over, eliminating young man struggled, inhaled water and lost consciousness. After 38 minutes, rescuers pulled him out of the water. Since he showed no signs of life, he was declared dead at the 18-year-- ice-cover- ed scene. "While being loaded into the ambulance, the supposedly lifeless body gasped. Startled rescuers immediately began revival efforts. After a high-spee- d ambulance run to the University of Michigan Hospital, doctors resuscitated him for two hours. Following 13 more hours of respiratory support, the young man woke up and recognized his mother sitting at his bedside." Later, this same young man pulled "A" grades at college. He surprised doctors who expected to see "irreversible brain damage in anyone deprived of oxygen for more than four minutes." In conclusion, the only way to prevent is drowning prevention. By following safe rules in all water sports, many drownings can be prevented. Some of these methods are: Take a boat safety course. Communities offer this instruction through their Recreation Departments or the local Red Cross. Avoid swimming in isolated areas. Swim with others. Swimming alone is asking for trouble. When boating, be sure there are life preservers for everyone on the boat. Be familiar with their use and always have them tested and ready: to go. Take a course.. Know how to aid a victim in need. In one drowning incident reported last year, a swimmer in trouble fought off his would-b- e rescuers and drowned. Don't overload the boat. Keep within weight limits. A boat riding too low in the water can be easily swamped and sunk. . Don't mix boating, swimming or water sports with alcohol. Not drinking at all is the best approach. However, if drinking in moderation, don't do it until fool-pro- life-savi- of ng safely ashore. Check weather reports for approaching storms. No matter how seaworthy the boat may be, know what conditions are coming. Know your limits as a rescuer and a player. If yowVe-wmwaerr find oy safely ak -- -- -- -- |