MOPP (protective gear)
MOPP(an acronym for "Mission Oriented Protective Posture";pronounced" mop ") is protective gear used by U.S.militarypersonnel in a toxic environment, e.g., during a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) strike:
- Protective mask– Commonly referred to as agas maskor pro mask. It is designed to filter harmful chemical and biological agents, as well as irradiated particles from the air to allow the wearer to breathe safely. No protective masks filter out gases such ascarbon monoxide,and in situations requiring that level of protection, external breathing apparatus is employed.
- Mask carrier – Protects the mask from damage. It is usually worn as part of battle gear for easy access and usually contains a technical manual, extra filter, spare parts, chemical detection papers, andnerve agentantidotekits (NAAK).
- Over garments –Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology(JSLIST) Specially designed clothing to be worn over the normal uniform. These garments are designed to allow maximum airflow for cooling while keeping chemical and biological agents from reaching theskinof the wearer. Some are equipped with acharcoallining to neutralize some agents. Military personnel often equip over garments with strips ofM9 Detector Paperto identify chemical agents on the battlefield they might come in contact with.
- M9 Detector paper is worn to detect chemical liquid agents that a service member may brush against while in MOPP gear. It is worn in three different areas of the suit: the bicep of the dominant arm, the wrist of the opposite arm, and the shin of the dominant leg. It is also placed on lower levels of vehicles for detection purposes.[citation needed]
- Gloves and overboots – (JSLIST) Highly durablerubber,designed with combat operations in mind. Used to prevent contact with agents.
MOPP protection levels
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Each MOPP level corresponds to an increasing level of protection. The readiness level will usually be dictated by the in-theatre commander.[1][2]
- Mask Only – Protective mask is carried.
- MOPP Ready – Protective mask is carried. First set of suit, gloves, and boots are available within two hours, second set within six hours.
- MOPP Level 0 – Worn: nothing. Carried: Protective mask. Immediately Available: suit, boots and gloves.
- MOPP Level 1 – Worn: suit. Carried: Protective mask. Immediately Available: boots and gloves
- MOPP Level 2 – Worn: suit and boots. Carried: Protective mask and gloves.
- MOPP Level 3 – Worn: suit, boots and mask. Carried: gloves.
- MOPP Level 4 – All protection worn.
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related toMission Oriented Protective Posture.
- Fallout shelter– Enclosed space designated to protect occupants from radioactive debris from a nuclear explosion
- NBC suit– Type of military personal protective equipment
References
[edit]- ^"FM 3-4 Chptr 2 MOPP Analysis".Gulflink.osd.mil. 1990-05-23.Retrieved2018-07-11.
- ^"5 Levels of MOPP".ArmyStudyGuide.com.Retrieved2018-07-11.