My last draft before leaving the branch was to Portsmouth. The NBCD (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence) School at HMS Phoenix. It was here that we instructed all branches in these cheery subjects. The clue is in the name!
I was a Petty Officer by this time and my role was that of an instructor. My subjects were light rescue, first aid and the fun one - the medical effects of NBCD agents.
These agents ranged from mustard gas (first used in Ypres, France to devastating effect in the trenches of WW1), through blood agents like cyanide to nerves agents like tabun and sarin. Some of these charming forms of warfare are thought to have been used by Saddam in Iraq against the Kurds.
When I wasn't putting poor souls through the CS gas chamber I was lecturing them on what to expect if they came into contact with the various agents already mentioned. This, of course, I delivered with a smile resulting in the nickname of 'Dr Death'. Charming, eh?
We also taught decontamination procedures in the event of nuclear or biological attack. This involved the use of fullers earth to absorb any external fluid contamination and then the careful removal of protective clothing. I'm sure you have seen the military dressed in their green hooded NBCD suits.
I came away from this particular role with the feeling that the procedures we taught were somewhat dated. In fact, in the heat of war I doubt how effective they would actually be. To this day I still think if the bombs were dropping, I would prefer to be directly heading one back - poof!!!!!!!
Mind you, my wife maintains if there was any form of disaster she would prefer to be with me, at least we'd have the skills to deal with it - possibly........
I was a Petty Officer by this time and my role was that of an instructor. My subjects were light rescue, first aid and the fun one - the medical effects of NBCD agents.
These agents ranged from mustard gas (first used in Ypres, France to devastating effect in the trenches of WW1), through blood agents like cyanide to nerves agents like tabun and sarin. Some of these charming forms of warfare are thought to have been used by Saddam in Iraq against the Kurds.
When I wasn't putting poor souls through the CS gas chamber I was lecturing them on what to expect if they came into contact with the various agents already mentioned. This, of course, I delivered with a smile resulting in the nickname of 'Dr Death'. Charming, eh?
We also taught decontamination procedures in the event of nuclear or biological attack. This involved the use of fullers earth to absorb any external fluid contamination and then the careful removal of protective clothing. I'm sure you have seen the military dressed in their green hooded NBCD suits.
I came away from this particular role with the feeling that the procedures we taught were somewhat dated. In fact, in the heat of war I doubt how effective they would actually be. To this day I still think if the bombs were dropping, I would prefer to be directly heading one back - poof!!!!!!!
Mind you, my wife maintains if there was any form of disaster she would prefer to be with me, at least we'd have the skills to deal with it - possibly........
