(_c_) Patients received at the treatment facility in the PPW are checked for contamination; if they are contamination free, they may be processed through the litter air lock in the PPW. The inside aidmen ensure that the inner litter air lock door is closed. The outside aidmen open the outer air lock door and place the litter on the litter rails and push the patient into the litter air lock headfirst, then close the outer door. Purge the air lock for 3 minutes. After the purge time, an aidman inside of the CPS opens the inner air lock door and uses the CAM to check the patient to ensure that he is free of contamination. If no contamination is found, the inside aidmen remove the patient from the air lock. (If the patient is wearing a protective mask, the mask is removed and placed in a plastic bag before the patient is moved from the air lock.) As the patient is removed from the air lock, the PPW is opened and rolled inside out so that any desorbing vapors are adsorbed by the charcoal layer. The inside aidmen remove the patient from the air lock and position him on litter stands. The patient is transferred to a clean litter; then moved to the treatment area as directed by supervisory personnel. The receiving litter and PPW is returned to the outside; dispose of the PPW in the contaminated waste dump. Decontaminate the litter and return it to the litter pool.
Should contamination be found when monitoring the air lock in (_b_) or (_c_) above, repeat the purge cycle, then retest for contamination. All vapor hazards must be eliminated before the patient is moved into the CPS. Repeating the purge cycle may NOT be possible if the patient is in need of immediate lifesaving care. The patient may have to be returned to the outside treatment area for immediate care.
(_a_) The litter patient is placed in a PPW. A battery operated blower unit with a CB filter may be attached to the PPW to provide fresh air to the patient; thus reducing the heat load on the patient and the carbon dioxide buildup inside the PPW.
(_b_) An inside aidman notifies an outside aidman that the patient is ready to exit the shelter. An outside aidman ensures that the outer air lock door is closed. The patient is placed in the litter air lock feet first. The inner air lock door is closed. The outside aidmen open the outer door and remove the patient.