Five steps to survive a chemical attack on U.S. soil

Chuck is correct about the liquid component of chemical agents. This material must be removed from all skin surfaces, while taking care not to cause abrasions from scrubbing too vigorously. If possible, decontamination stations should be established that allow for the orderly processing of contaminated individuals. A series of kiddie wading pools can be used for this purpose but remember that the rinse water will contain the agent. It must be contained and removed as well to prevent further contamination.
Regarding the antibacterial soap issue: coughing and sneezing will expel respiratory bacteria into the air in droplets. If these droplets contact open wounds, sores, scrapes, etc., they can cause infections. Your normal flora can become dangerous under certain circumstances. Immunocompromised people are at high risk. Don’t get caught up in discussions of which soap is better! Stay clean and stay away from sick people. Avoid contact with anyone with whom you do not need to have contact! Not everyone shedding virus appears to be ill. There may be a period of hours to days where someone does not show symptoms but is already infectious.

Few “gas” attacks are actually gas, they are atomized liquids and require dispersal equipment. This includes all nerve agents and mustard gas. Chlorine gas is one of the few exceptions. Unless you plan to wear a military grade chemical suit and gas mask everywhere you go your only real chance is to avoid places likely to be the target of such an attack. Due to the requirement for a dispersal method, these are most effective if placed high or placed in an indoor area with good ventilation which will recirculate the gas throughout the area. Avoid these places where groups of likely targets will be gathered. As for flu pandemics, wash your hands often after contact with other people or items others may have handled. Antibacterial soap or anti-biotics are useless as the flu is a VIRUS and not a bacteria. Anti-biotics can only help prevent or cure secondary bacterial infections from the virus, not protect against or cure the virus itself. Viruses are generally short lived outside of a host body, avoid crowds and high-traffic areas as much as possible and try not to handle items in public with your bare hands. A strong immune system can help shorten the virus’ time.

Be sure to use Anti-bacterial soap! This is very important because there are components in Anti-bacterial soap that regular soap does not have. I got this information from an expert on Bird Flu pandemic.

I am interested in all information I can get to protect my family

Leave the cities and get as far away as necessary from the general population. Stay away as long as the virus is active . Prepare ahead with preventive survival gear such as
anti biological suits and best grade of face mask available to you with plenty of hand sanitizer. stay away from anyone who has been at or near a outbreak. be prepared to quarantine family members for at least 2 weeks . Get informed about how to do this before an outbreak occurs.

One of my recommedations would be to have a First aid kit of Essenitial Oils for Emergency use i.e. Green Organics Lavender oil (therapeutic grade) would help if you get chemical burns or irritation. It soothes and heals the skin. It also acts as a disinfectant and can calm you if you get totoaly stressed out over the event. There are others that would be essential to the First Aid kit for all sorts of possible problems if medical care became difficult to come by.

After reading this I had an image of hundreds of naked people fleeing the city wearing nothing but a face mask. UUUUgh! In the event of a chemical attack, seeking a medical attention will be a BUST! The hospitals have “Emergency Shut Down” protocol for these types of attacks. Just ask any hospital employee. They go into complete shut down, with guards at the doors. Calling 911 will also be a BUST. Most likely, the police will be running the other direction with soiled shorts creating a little toxic gas of their own. So you better be prepared to help yourself, your family, and neighbors. Great ideas. Keep them coming!

I see this as possibly a larger widespread area,such as a whole city.I am recommending everyone have enough rolled plastic,such as found in paint dept,to seal and cover all windows and doors into their homes,if word of a chemical attack on a city were recvd.

Move up wind away from gas.

Put a medical grade mask in your EDC.
Have those disposable coveralls you get for when you are painting from the hardware (or Wallmart for you Americans).
Always have a minimum of 5lts of H2O and a spare set of clothes in your car.

Carry paper napkins or tissues, they can be used as an impromptu mask, then discarded. Oral Zinc supplements can help reduce the impact of ‘Flu exposure. Stay hydrated and cool if you have the ‘Flu. The major damage comes from the hyperthermic effects of accompanying fevers, these include dehydration.

/Flush out eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and any other extremities, even if they don’t burn.