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Fill 'er up: Keeping hydrated in chemical gear important

  • Published
  • By AFSOC Inspector General
  • Courtesy of AFSOC/IG
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  For every exercise and inspection, regardless of your location, threat or status, commanders have consistently directed one action to each Airman: hydrate! 

As an inspection agency, the inspector general has made sure personnel know how to perform this critical necessity even while wearing that dreaded protective mask, better known as the gas mask. 

Until now, this has been a two-fold learning process - making sure people are pumping water into their system and making certain they know how to use their canteen while in mission-oriented protective posture four. Now it's time to take it to the next level. 

This involves sustainment - continuously hydrating our bodies while in a prolonged MOPP4 configuration. 

That brings up the following questions: How do we continue hydrating ourselves once we have consumed all the water in our canteens? Can an Airman fill a canteen while in a chemical environment? Won't the chemical agent vapors get into the canteen if it's opened while working or resting in contaminated surroundings? 

These are questions in need of specific answers. 

Luckily, the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, through the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, has provided direction on how to perform the necessary steps for answering the above questions. 

· When possible, find an uncontaminated water source 

· If necessary, perform decontamination on both the water source and the canteen cap with the M-295 decontamination kit 

· Next remove the canteen cap and fill the canteen until the water overflows 

· Last, pour some of the water out until it is below the neckline of the canteen. Replace the cap, connect it to the mask and drink. 

During the development of the current procedures used for our chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive passive defense program, testing revealed there was a minor possibility that vapors would be at a high enough concentration to physically "climb" into the canteen. However, the purpose of having the water run over while filling the canteen is to purge any potential vapors from within. This means Airmen can stay hydrated regardless of the MOPP level. 

The CamelBak hydration system or any similar style is not authorized for use while in MOPP4. There are initiatives in the progress for this type of research and development, but safety takes precedence over convenience. 

The above steps take the concept of operations to another echelon of tiered training, allowing the Air Force to continue building on its current knowledge base. As the chemical CONOPS evolves, expect more detailed techniques, tactics and procedures to accompany it. The foremost thought on everyone's mind should be the threat and an Airman's ability to identify and know the threat on any level. This will ensure they are taking the right and safe road to survival. 

Chemicals are not a threat to an Airman's canteen if they practice contamination avoidance and decontamination, which means it's not a threat to their hydration either. The 1st SOCES is the expert for providing guidance on staying hydrated in MOPP4 as well as other CONOPS driven initiatives.