Both are expendable. The shirt and trousers are made of two layers of
material. The outer layer is made of nylon cotton. The inner layer is
charcoal-impregnated polyurethane foam. Some charcoal will be deposited
on clothing worn under the overgarment. This will not detract from the
chemical characteristics of the overgarment.
The BDO provides protection against chemical agent vapors and liquid
droplets; biological agents; toxins, and radioactive alpha and beta
particles. When the BDO is removed from its vapor-barrier bag and worn,
its protective qualities last for a minimum of 30 days.
It is
recommended that the BDO be replaced after-30 days; however; the weartime
may be extended by the commander when operationally necessary. The BDO
that is worn longer than 30 days presents a slightly increased risk to
the wearer; however, the key to its effectiveness at anytime during wear,
is its serviceability. The slightly increased risk that is incurred by
wearing the BDO beyond 30 days is discussed in FM 3-4, Chapter 3,
Chemical Overgarment Risk Assessment. Weartime for the BDO begins then
removed from its sealed vapor-barrier bag, and stops when the BDO is
sealed into the vapor-barrier bag. If the original vapor-barrier bag is
not available, return the BDO to a similar material bag and seal with
common duct tape. Donning of the BDO regardless of the time, equates to
a day of wear. Extending the weartime for the BDO affords additional
flexibility for operational and logistical support planning.
The BDO
provides a minimum of 24 hours of protection against exposure to a liquid
chemical agent.
The BDO is not designed to be decontaminated or
reimpregnated for reuse.
a. Coat/Shirt.
The shirt (Figure 1-2) has a short stand-up collar and a full-length
zipper opening covered by a double protective flap.
The cuff on the
sleeves has elastic closures. Two outer pockets are located at the chest
level.
b. Trousers.
The trousers (Figure 1-2) have two pockets and a fly-front with a
protective flap. The waist has adjustable tabs plus suspender and belt
loops. Each leg has a zipper closure on the lower outside section. The
overgarment is available in eight sizes: XXX-small, SS-small, S-small,
M-medium, L-large, X-large, XX-large and XXX-large.
When sizing the
overgarment remember that it is worn over the duty uniform.
The
overgarment is packaged in a vapor barrier bag. This bag protects the
overgarment from possible contamination due to moisture, petroleum, oil,
lubricant (POL) products, and solvents.
General instructions and a
sizing chart are printed on the bag. The overgarment provides protection
to the soldier exposed to vapors,
CM7114
1-6
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