Soldier – August 2019

It was

absolutely

brain-melting

It was It was

T

HE small group of soldiers almost stumble

into each other in the thick smoke. There’s a

man down and they have to fi nd him fast.

Once located, they check him over as

best they can with their heavy gloves while

peering at their patient through respirator masks.

But they don’t take his pulse or check for other signs

of life, they simply pick him up by his arms and drag

him away.

These highly qualifi ed combat medics from 22 Field

Hospital may appear to be ignoring standard fi rst aid

protocols, but they’re not.

During chemical attacks the rules are very diff erent.

“They are having to deal with a casualty in a

hazardous environment – the so-called hot zone – and

if the patient isn’t breathing they can’t do anything

about that here, they have to move him and deliver

resuscitation somewhere else,” explains Sgt Dean

Halliday (RAMC), one of the instructors at the Defence

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear

(CBRN) Centre.

“For this scenario they are wearing protective

equipment and are armed so they have to operate

CBRN training is now under

Army control... and they want

to raise everyone’s game

Report:

Steve Muncey

Pictures:

Graeme Main

42-46-sol-aug CBRN.indd 1 25/07/2019 17:08