dude calling on the Ed radio show, suggests dropping Hazmat suits

[G_j]

and gas masks instead of explosives.
Maybe that sounds crazy, but it would be far less crazy than killing more people.

AND, it won't matter if they get in the "wrong hands" (Like the weapons it appears they will be giving the 'rebels')

[rickford66]

1. Atropine would make more sense

The syringes we had in the service were easy to use and I'm sure we have vast supplies of the stuff collecting dust in a warehouse somewhere.

[HolyMoley]

5. That's actually a better idea than the gas mask/haz-mat suit one.

At least it's more practical from a distribution perspective and using it properly is pretty straight forward.

Simple, easy to use test kits for the presence of chemical agents could also be given out.

[KittyWampus]

2. that's thinking outside the box. I like it!

[G_j]

7. Thinking outside of the box

is what we need more of, for sure.

[Peregrine Took]

3. Great idea! And hospital supplies and food. n/t

[HolyMoley]

4. Unless the populace were properly trained and drilled in the use

of the equipment, and have knowledge about chemical attacks, it would be a wasted effort.

[rickford66]

6. atropine

Atropine delivery is easy as pie. It's a little tube with the needle at one end. Uncover the needle, stick it into your thigh (through your clothes if you have to) and squeeze. Those little tubes of super glue remind me of how they looked. The hazmat suit scenario would be a nightmare. During a nerve gas attack, you could be dead before you get the thing on. With the atropine as little as one person in a group would die. We were instructed to stick ourselves if anyone showed symptoms or died. You would also remain useful, not encumbered by the suit.

[HolyMoley]

8. Already mentioned (posts #1 & #5).

I'm uncertain of what the current generation of delivery devices are like.

In my time in the military, it was a spring loaded syringe that came in a pack of 3 IIRC.
There were also spring loaded 'dummy' training kits.

It also occurred to me just after my previous post, that gas masks are ineffective if the person is sporting a beard (it doesn't seal properly). I'm not up on the particular customs in Syria, but I'd wager a significant
portion of the men are unshaven.

[rickford66]

9. just trying to relate how easy it is to use

I was in boot camp in 1969 so things probably have changed. The little squeeze tube I remember seemed like a cheap slick solution. Not much of a learning curve. I remember the gas mask training also. It's not as easy as it looks to get it on right. A beard would definitely allow for leaks. I'm sure the rebels would rather travel light and not carry certain equipment which draws attention if they are infiltrating areas. Anyway, I think that hitting the Syrian government in the pocketbook would be more effective than what is planned.

[Lee-Lee]

10. Atropine is only partially effective

Really less so than we were led to believe in basic, and only if you get a mask on to stop exposure first and have qualified medical treatment close at hand.

And without the training people would be using it wrong or when there is not really a chemical attack- probably causing more harm than good.

[rickford66]

11. well

back to the hazmat suits

[Brigid]

12. I think I like this caller's idea.

I don't know how effective the suits or the atropine might be in the hands of untrained people, but it's better than war.

[Liberal_in_LA]

13. i like the idea also