Field Sanitation

Task: Display familiarization with the Field Sanitation and personal hygiene standards of the United States Army.

Conditions: Given this briefing summarizing guidance from the following listed references

Standard: Answer questions displaying knowledge of Field Sanitation and personal hygiene standards.

The Great War (World War I)

The Influenza Pandemic of 1918

The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at

somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history.

More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known

as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster

Introduction to Field Sanitation

This course is designed to enhance, sustain, or provide individual understanding of Field Sanitation and Hygiene

Class Outline

1- Medical threat to field forces 2- Personal hygiene 3- Water supplies 4- Waste disposal in the field 5- Arthropods & diseases 6- Management of arthropods & individual

PMM

Class Outline (cont’d)

7- Control of arthropods with pesticides

8- Rodent control & management

9- Chemical hazards

10- Noise hazards

Regulations and Publications

AR 40-5, Preventive Medicine FM 21-10-1, Unit Field Sanitation Team FM 21-10, Field Hygiene and Sanitation TB MED 577, Surveillance of Field Water

Supplies TB MED 530, Food Service Sanitation

Debilitating and Non-Battle Injury(DNBI)

DNBI accounts for more than 50% of casualties

Direct reflection on the lack of PMM

Lack of PMM causes breakdown in soldier’s health and capability to function

Medical Threat to Field Forces

Casualties caused by DNBI have had a serious

impact on military operations since the dawn

of recorded history

The four major contributors to DNBI are:

Heat Transmitted diseases

Cold Diarrheal diseases

The success or failure of the unit and its

mission may be jeopardized because of the

lack of proper preventive medicine measures

To help reduce disease and health problems,

soldiers at every level must be educated on

Field Sanitation

Importance of Field Sanitation

FST members should instruct/guide soldiers

on the hazards of neglected personal hygiene

The FST must have basic sanitation and

protection roles

Importance of the Field Sanitation Team (FST)

Supervise:

Disinfecting of water

Construction of garbage areas

Construction of soakage pits

Construction and cleaning of field latrines

Role of the FST

Provide training and guidance to food service

personnel on the prevention and elimination

of deficiencies in food service sanitation

Report any deficiencies to the commander for

necessary action

Role of the FST

Personal Hygieneand

Preventive Medicine Measures

Promote Personal HygienePromote Personal Hygienebyby

arranging for hand-washing and showering facilities

providing hot water for showering and shaving

providing heated dressing rooms providing sanitary controls preventing water collecting and pooling

Hygiene DevicesHygiene Devices

Hand-wash devices at each latrine Hand-wash for soldiers at eating locations Hand-wash for cooks at the field kitchen Soakage pits Soap and towels

Good Personal Hygiene Good Personal Hygiene PreventsPrevents

Foot problems Skin rashes Body lice Hair lice Diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems Depression and social instability

Good Personal Hygiene Good Personal Hygiene PromotesPromotes

Healthier soldiers Self-satisfaction among troops Better work performance Less sick calls More soldiers on the front line

Water Supply in the Field

In combat, safe water ranks in

importance with ammunition and

food. It often has an important

bearing on the success or the

failure of a mission.

Importance of Good WaterImportance of Good Water Soldiers must be supplied with sufficient

amounts of water

Water must be safe to drink and cook with Water should be safe and clear of

objectionable tastes, odors, turbidity, and

color Water is a vehicle for transmission of

disease organisms

Testing the WaterTesting the Water

Water should be tested for the presence of Coliform bacteria

– Coliform bacterii are found in great numbers in the excreta (feces) of humans

– Hepatitis, leptospirosis, typhoid, cholera, diarrhea may be present in feces

Production of Safe WaterProduction of Safe Water

Check the bacterial content Check the chlorine residual content Establish standards for water quality Inspect water points After testing and treating, approve water for

consumption and use

Water Supply and TreatmentWater Supply and Treatment

The unit commander makes certain that: There is an adequate supply of good water The rules of water discipline are enforced Everyone understands the hazards of

drinking unsafe water The water supply will be protected by good

sanitary practices

Terms and DefinitionsTerms and Definitions

Palatable - agreeable taste Potable - safe to drink Treatment - procedure to change the

chemical composition Chlorinating - increases the residual level to

a safe minimum PPM - parts per million

Disinfecting the Lyster BagDisinfecting the Lyster Bag

Dissolve calcium hypochlorite ampules in a canteen cup

Add to water, stir Flush faucets Wait ten minutes Test water for proper residual levels Let water stand for 20 minutes before use

Treating theTreating the400 Gallon Water Trailer400 Gallon Water Trailer

Mix 3 MRE spoonfuls of calcium hypochlorite with 1/2 cup of water

Add to water, stir Flush faucets Wait ten minutes, test again If residuals are at 5 PPM, wait 20 minutes

before use

Treating the CanteenTreating the Canteen

Use two iodine tablets in each full canteen of water

Place tablets in canteen, wait 5 minutes Shake canteen Loosen cap, allow clean water to seep

around the neck to kill any organisms Minimum contact time is 30 minutes

Water SuppliesWater Supplies

Under all situations in the field, soldiers must be supplied with sufficient amounts of potable water.

This requires a coordinated effort between the State medical authority, the commander, and the field sanitation team.

Waste Disposal in the Field

Proper waste disposal is essential in preventing the spread of disease. Solid and liquid wastes produced under field conditions can be as much as 100 lbs per person per day.

The unit commander and First Sergeant are responsible for the removal of trash and garbage, not Food Services.

Human Waste DisposalHuman Waste Disposal

Huge problem for the unit and soldiers in the field Chemical Latrines should be provided for 4% of

the male population and for 6% of the female population

Located 100 yards downhill from water sources and field kitchens

Hand-wash devices should be provided at each latrine

Garbage DisposalGarbage Disposal

Most Training Sites– do not allow burying garbage– garbage must be separated– must be hauled to landfill

Liquid waste (grease and oils)– 1-5 gallons per person per day is normal– must be contained for proper disposal– most training sites have recycle drums

Waste DisposalWaste Disposal

Before trash, garbage, grease, oils, or human waste is burned, buried, dug in, or covered up, check with the Installation Environmental Officer for proper procedures. It may save you at lot of headaches and money.

Arthropods and Disease

It is important for you to know that throughout history more soldiers have been killed or disabled from arthropod-borne disease than from actual combat.

ArthropodsArthropods

Any member of the phylum Arthropoda, which includes the insects, centipedes, crustaceans, millipedes, mites, scorpions, spiders, ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, flies, etc.

In many cases, the arthropod is the vehicle or cause of the disease.

How Arthropods Affect Human Health

By direct injury– stings or bites

Through disease transmission–bacteria deposited on food

Myiasis– larvae migrate through human

host–fly eggs turn into maggots in stool

Common ArthropodsCommon Arthropods

mosquitoes filth fly

house fly scorpions

ticks mites

fleas red bugs

deer flies wasps

Arthropod-borne DiseasesArthropod-borne Diseases

Malaria - mosquito

Yellow Fever - mosquito

Dengue Fever - mosquito

Encephalitis - mosquito & ticks

Typhus - body lice

Bubonic Plague - fleas

Management of Arthropods through Field Sanitation and

PMM

Since the ideal location of bivouac sites are not always possible, we must know how to manage arthropods which affect the health of the soldiers. Through effective measures we can control arthropod infestation.

Individual PMMIndividual PMM

Clothing– worn loosely– trouser legs tucked in without blousing rubbers– shirt sleeves rolled down and buttoned– no holes or tears– head gear worn (insect screen may be attached)

Clothing RepellentClothing Repellent

Some repellents can be applied directly to the clothing. The two methods which are acceptable are by aerosol spray or by dipping into a repellent solution.

Either method must be approved by the Installation Surgeon and the directions for use must be strictly followed.

Skin RepellentSkin Repellent

Repellent may be applied directly to the skin, spread evenly over the area. Do not get chemicals into eyes.

Skin repellent may be used on clothing. Apply a few drops or spray compound on clothing around openings.

PMM for rest periodsPMM for rest periods

Screened billets - desirable, but not always

available

Bed nets - a necessity to be used in

conjunction with screened billets

Aerosol spray - the last line of defense,

sprayed in and around billets

Equipment used for ControlEquipment used for Control

Hand Duster - delousing application

Hand Pressure Sprayer - general application

- 2 gallon capacity

Aerosol cans - general application for small

areas

Bottles - general application for uncovered

skin

Control of Arthropods with Pesticides

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances or chemicals which kills pests.

Pesticides are used to augment, not replace, field sanitation and individual PMM.

Application of PesticidesIMPORTANT FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED

WHEN DISPENSING PESTICIDES: Toxic effect when inhaled Degree and speed of skin

absorption Cumulative effect in the body Concentration of toxicant Amount of pesticide that must be

applied Conditions under which chemicals

are applied

Rodent Management

Rodents are the carriers of several diseases which are harmful to humans

The best known and most serious is the plague, a disease transmitted to humans by rodent fleas

Rodents are known to cause millions of dollars of damage to crops

Types of RodentsTypes of Rodents Norway Rat

– found at ground level– likes to burrow in the ground – found mostly in temperate regions– roams 100-150 feet in search of food and water– likes people food– life span 1 year– each female can produce 84 young rats per year

Types of RodentsTypes of Rodents

Roof Rat– found in attics and walls– roams 100-150 feet in search of food and water– found everywhere in the world– likes people food, prefers vegetables– life span 1 year– each female can produce 64 young rats per year

Types of Rodents

House Mouse– found in attics and walls– found everywhere in the world– likes people food

* 1/10 oz of food per day * 1/20 oz of water per day

– roams 50 feet for food and water– life span 1 year– each female can produce 84 young rats per year

Diseases Caused by Rodents

Leptospirosis

– acute fever

– jaundice and bleeding

– deadly infectious disease

– meningitis

– treatment is with penicillin

Diseases Caused by Rodents

Plague– fever up to 104*F– nausea and vomiting– headache– muscular pain– mental disorientation and delirium

– certain DEATH within a few days

Looking for Rodents

sightings gnaw marks

presence of dead rodents tracks

droppings nests

smudge marks on baseboards sounds

burrows or holes odors

Rodent Elimination eliminate access to garbage dispose of garbage regularly do not leave food out store all food in tightly sealed containers clean up all food spills repair all water leaks seal off all exterior openings

Rodent EliminationRodent Elimination clean up building materials thin or remove dense vegetation trim tree limbs stack materials away from walls remove paper, cardboard boxes, cloths any materials that can be used for nests

Elimination DevicesElimination Devices Snap traps

– against walls– behind objects– secure the bait– checked and reset daily– meats (Norway rat)– dried fruits (Roof rat)– peanut butter (House mouse)

Chemical EliminationChemical Elimination involves the use of rodenticides blood anti-coagulant chemicals do not use in food storage, prep, or serving

areas bait stations should be placed against walls

or burrows should give the rodent a secure place to

feed

Disposal of Dead RodentsDisposal of Dead Rodents spread insect repellent on your hands,

sleeves, and the front of your clothes pick up rodent with long-handled tongs or a

shovel place carcass in plastic bag and place in

tightly fitted refuse container spray general purpose pesticide in refuse

container

Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards

Occupational hazards may be classified as

chemical, physical, or biological.

Chemicals may produce injury or death in all

situations, including combat.

The loss of key personnel has a direct effect

on the unit’s ability to accomplish its mission.

Chemical Routes of Entry

Inhalation

Absorption

Ingestion

Injection

Chemical Classes

Liquid Gas

Vapor Mist

Solids Dust

Chemicalsodorless and colorless

space heaters

automotive exhaust fumes

non-irritating

slow working

interferes with oxygen to the body

causes headaches, sleepiness, coma, and death

Chemicals

Hydrogen Chlorideexhaust from rocket systems

Bore/gun gasses contain lead deposits

contains carbon monoxide

effects respiratory system with flu-like symptoms

acid burns to eyes, throat, lungs, skin

ChemicalsLiquids

solvents insecticides

fuels skin irritations

lubricants chemical burns

Noise Hazards

We are surrounded by sounds 24 hours a day. We are so used to a sound filled environment that a lack of sound can be very disturbing. But, too much sound can have profound physical effects on our hearing, and can cause deafness.

Types of noiseImpact or impulse noisevery loud in short bursts

small arms fire, cannon fire, gun fire

Continuous or steady noisefield generators tank interiors

personnel carriers truck cabs

aircraft First Sergeants

Recognizing the Effects of Noise

ringing in ears

temporary loss of hearing

ear ache

equilibrium loss

headache

Hearing Protection

armor crew helmet helicopter crew helmet aircraft ground crew “ears” earmuffs earplugs

Plan for Noise identify existing noise in your unit outfit soldiers with proper protection protectors should be cleaned regularly control noise sources instruct soldiers on proper wear instruct soldiers on effects of hearing loss

SummaryField sanitation and hygiene is the personal responsibilityof each and every soldier. Those measures the individual failsto follow affects not only that one soldier but each and everysoldier around them.

Leaders at all echelons need to rigorously enforce fieldsanitation and hygiene to ensure that their unit is healthy andprepared physically for the stresses of combat. Failing to adhere to these guidelines is a certain way to cause your unitto become incapable of conducting its mission.