Mother of all gushers - BP Oil Disaster in Gulf of Mexico

[Guardian]

I just wanted to compliment your generous offer as well as the generosity of other forum members who have made offers of aid for relocation. It's truly inspiring and yet another example of the importance of networking and another aspect that would be dearly missed if, for whatever reason, we lose the Internet.

I thought of that too....so I keep a public phone number posted on our website "757-357-0664" I won't actually answer that phone, but whoever does will give me the message...immediately if it's an emergency.

As a side note, I am reminded of the pets that were abandoned during hurricane Katrina. I started wondering about starting an adoption network for people needing to move but who cannot take their pet.

I know of a few groups that are gearing up for that possibility...most notable the North Shore Animal League, but as bad as it's gonna get in a couple years, I don't know how much they'll be able to accomplish when people start dropping :(

Regarding your statement about "feds are evil"; I was hoping you would be able to help me better understand what you meant by that. Since I know there are a few civil servants working for various federal departments or agencies (Canadian ones, anyway) that are members of this forum, there's a chance that some might take the statement the wrong way.

Sorry...didn't mean to offend anyone...I should have been more specific. Here "Feds" generally means Federal Authorities like the FBI, BATF, IRS, BIA, etc. Government employees like Park Rangers and Post Office workers are generally not included in the list.

First off, do you mean the feds as in the currently elected government, all elected officials

Those are called "Politicians" and no one trusts them either.... calling someone a "Politician" is actually an insult.

I also wondered if you meant it in the context of state power versus federal government power, where some feel that each state should be more autonomous or, more extremely, no longer participate in the union of states, a.k.a. the United States of America.

This is a VERY popular concept in the south....some people still fly Civil War Battle Standards and insist that the "War between the States" had nothing to do with slavery and was all about "States Rights"

 

[vectis]

I can't help but be a devil's advocate, or at least a "doubting Thomas" when it comes to a number of things coming up on this thread... Yet a lot of the points help keep me as objective as possible, as I grope for "just the facts" in my quest for the Truth along with the constant self-reminder to be Truly open-minded...

That is a huge thing I like about this forum, so many like-minded people trying their best to stay aware (and help each other). Also, many cudo's to SOTT (and now Connect the Dots) for helping me save time and effort searching the WWW for the "real scoop"....

It is also very refreshing to see all the help and support concerning those who need to relocate, and get out of the Gulf since the situation there is getting very "unhealthful" and dangerous in so many ways. There are rumours now circulating on facebooks "Boycott BP" that FEMA will start forcable moving people out of the Gulf region after July 4. The sources are questionable so I will not post an links here. Yet the FEMA and military presence in the Gulf region is verifiably real.

ok. my first doubt: The internet is or is not going to "go away"... I have a background in FCC rules and regulations, and have been watching this new Telecommunications Act being formulated. The new laws being played with will not necessarily "eliminate" our access to the WWW, but they will control HOW we can access the web, an also possible control WHAT we can access on the Web. The telecommunication laws may be rearranged in such a way that they fall under the Emergency Alert System (EAS) just as public broadcasting stations are. Something for us to be wary of. In an "emergency situation" where the EAS is invoked, we probably will be able to get online to watch "the propaganda machine" but we may be blocked from accessing something like SOTT or this forum. Perhaps FOTCM membership is a good way for members to stay in touch via phone; and maybe even provide a dial-up connection directly to the forum servers, in a way like the old bulletin boards worked. We CAN find a way to stay in touch and informed, even if we are blocked or blacklisted.

ok ok. second doubt. I liked seeing this BP hoax video, it is food for thought:

I found his yesterday and i don't think it has been posted or seen here. The information and source is questionable. The references of why, how, and where its going are interesting but maybe it just adds more to the cloud's of confusion that "they" want the general public to believe in there lies of the true nature of what this event and what it represents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvjTBT67GAE&feature=related

Yeah, I was suspecious when I first saw that original post. This video kinda makes it hard to accept that its a "illusion".
This is filmed from a airplane that braved the restricted airspace flying over the oil.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxDf-KkMCKQ

Some facts, or questions, to consider:
- first, it is fairly clear that this was NOT a simple "accident."
- The Deepwater Horizon rig fell ON TOP of the well head. If anyone can imagine how huge an oil rig really is, that poses the question "how did they move it?" That would make "raising the Titanic" look like moving a barnacle. In the wellhead videos, there is no real obvious signs of a major metallic wreck around it.
- The wellhead, as it is seen in all the different videos, DOES change in appearance. It is NOT the same wellhead, so which well-head video depiction would be the real one? (it has been shown that other wells in the Gulf are leaking)
- The clarity of the video's pointed toward the wellhead(s) is too clear! The wellhead pumping oil and gas would make the water around the wellhead so dark, dirty, muddy and unclear, that taking a video of it would virtually be impossible.
- There are many more questions this hoax video puts in my mind, that I will leave it with the last question: which is IF it was hundreds of thousands of real crude oil spilling into the Gulf, then the beaches into Florida (and Texas) would be a lot worse looking that they are. Yes, the oil is there, but most of what is washing up on distance shores IS tarballs. Where is the all the oil going?
- Oh, yes, I must mention the "no fly" zone. When the government wants a no-fly zone, they WILL have a no fly zone. There is NO escaping radar, and our jets are FAST. So how is it that some renegades can actually take the time to shoot all this film over hundreds of miles without being harassed?

Understand that I am not doubting the disaster. I am doubting all the information as it is presented. Something has stunk conspiracy about this from day one.

Hollywood, as a propaganda machine, was funded by the government, as far back as WWI, to create recruitment films. They have gotten very good at creating and filming illusions. This Gulf thang is their latest blockbuster production.

- As for the South (and I am a damn Yankee, I know) - the confederate mentality still largely looms as a prideful force. The Civil War was not fought primarily for freedom, as much as it was fought for the control of money. Don't forget the rebel flag is the union jack. The US was on it's way to financially becoming a sovereign nation at the time due to all the gold discovered in the West, and no longer needed to rely on British/European banks. It was a war fought over the "balance of power" - not much different than is happening now. A lot of this is explained in the book "None Dare Call it Conspiracy" by Gary Allen. The federal gov't then, as well as now, is exerting their power as far as they can, to remove the power away from the states. The states is where the power of the people really reside.

ok ok ok, the third doubt I'll voice here concerns the seafood part of the food supply. Granted the Gulf provides one of the largest catches of seafood. Mostly shrimp and craw-dads. The loss of the Gulf seafood industry will affect the local economy more than it will affect the country or worlds food chain. From Florida to Texas - go into a Publix, or Albertsons, or a Krogers grocery store and look at their fresh seafood department. You will see that most of the shrimp and other tasty ocean morsels come from Asian sources. They have to put the origin of the catch on the price tags. I hail from a city which provides the largest east coast catch of seafood. It is appalling to me to see how much of our top pride seafood is frozen and sent back to Asia. And the grocery stores here are still the same. Most of the seafood comes from Asia. That is all just part of the "shipping trade triange" which is a whole 'nuther story.
_http://www.nps.gov/archive/nebe/fishstat.htm

Sorry if this was a long rant. I do my best to turn my fear and doubt into creative research. Searching and re-searching for the truth. Just trying to stay aware, and stay awake... ("Trust no-one, the Truth is out there...")


"There are those who still think they are holding the pass against a revolution that may be coming up the road. But they are gazing in the wrong direction. The revolution is behind them. It went by in the Night of Depression, singing songs to freedom. " (Garet Garrett)...

 

[vectis]

oh. and as for US politics, or the comments on the fed... I think this explains it well, then as now...

The Revolution Was

by Garet Garrett

Now given — (1) the opportunity, (2) a country whose fabulous wealth was in the modern forms — dynamic, functional, non-portable, (3) a people so politically naive as to have passed a law against any attempt to overthrow their government by force — and, (4) the intention to bring about what Aristotle called a revolution in the state, within the frame of existing law — Then from the point of view of scientific revolutionary technic what would the problems be?

They set themselves down in sequence as follows:

The first, naturally, would be to capture the seat of government.

The second would be to seize economic power.

The third would be to mobilize by propaganda the forces of hatred.

The fourth would he to reconcile and then attach to the revolution the two great classes whose adherence is indispensable but whose interests are economically antagonistic, namely, the industrial wage earners and the farmers, called in Europe workers and peasants.

The fifth would be what to do with business — whether to liquidate or shackle it.

(These five would have a certain imperative order in time and require immediate decisions because they belong to the program of conquest. That would not be the end. What would then ensue? A program of consolidation. Under that head the problems continue.)

The sixth, in Burckhardt's devastating phrase, would be "the domestication of individuality" — by any means that would make the individual more dependent upon government.

The seventh would be the systematic reduction of all forms of rival authority.

The eighth would be to sustain popular faith in an unlimited public debt, for if that faith should break the government would be unable to borrow, if it could not borrow it could not spend, and the revolution must be able to borrow and spend the wealth of the rich or else it will be bankrupt.

The ninth would be to make the government itself the great capitalist and enterpriser, so that the ultimate power in initiative would pass from the hands of private enterprise to the all-powerful state.

Each one of these problems would have two sides, one the obverse and one the reverse, like a coin. One side only would represent the revolutionary intention. The other side in each case would represent Recovery — and that was the side the New Deal constantly held up to view. Nearly everything it did was in the name of Recovery. But in no case was it true that for the ends of economic recovery alone one solution or one course and one only was feasible. In each case there was an alternative and therefore a choice to make.

What we shall see is that in every case the choice was one that could not fail"...


_http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig5/garrett1.html

 

[anart]

: which is IF it was hundreds of thousands of real crude oil spilling into the Gulf, then the beaches into Florida (and Texas) would be a lot worse looking that they are. Yes, the oil is there, but most of what is washing up on distance shores IS tarballs. Where is the all the oil going?

I'm curious how you know what the beaches really look like, especially the marshlands, since there is such a tight clampdown on release of images and videos. Have you watched this video on SoTT yet?

This pic is a small indication we're not dealing with mostly tarballs.

 

[vectis]

thanks Anart,

I hope not to be seen as taking this Gulf disaster lightly, or dismissing it. There is a lot more going on than any of us plebians will really know at this point. True that! I have no pictures or verifiable hardcore info to provide. I lived along the Gulf coast for over twenty years (makes me a "damn yankee" ;) ), I know what it's like to drink Dixie beer, an eatin mudbugs n hushpuppies on the bayou. I've a lot of family and friends that live from Naples FL to Galveston TX and have stayed in constant touch with a number of them. I am very concerned for their health and well-being, and base a lot of what I think and feel on their stories and observations.

It is very curious to me that both Galveston and Naples still remain untouched by the oil. Understanding how the Gulf loop current flows makes this more curious. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, are the first direct shot for the oil to go, up to around Destin. The way the current flows next would push it west towards Houston and Galveston, and the other spin would be towards Naples and the Keys of FL. This map shows the flow:
http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/loop-current.html

Pensacola, which is on a northern upswing of the loop current, should have been hit already, if there was massive amounts of crude, yet this is reported on SOTT:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/211513-Crowds-small-but-happy-on-Pensacola-Beach

One of my siblings works in law enforcement communications in Naples FL, and has nothing unusual to report. The air and beaches are still clean and clear. Govt reports state that oil "sheen and remnants" will most likely arrive by August 18:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/02/model-shows-high-chance-oil-hitting-keys-miami/?partner=popular

I am not doubting the Gulf is saturated in oil, what is in question is the true volume of it.
If it was millions of gallons of pure crude, it would most likely have hit those areas already. Back to the info provided in the "hoax" video, they provide two links that do have verifiable info:
The first explains why there is a lot more than just crude oil gushing (which would explain the lesser volume of crude oil), and the subsequent lack of expanse of damage along the Gulf coast:

Asphalt Volcanism
http://geology.about.com/cs/volcanology/a/aa051604a.htm

The second article is from the intel hub website, and has a lot of of interesting reference, which get closer to the PTB "whys" of this disaster; some which as been discussed on this forum, some not: It is worth the read for awareness:
_http://theintelhub.com/2010/06/18/gulf-spill-disaster-or-a-well-organized-plan/

I remain a humble observer (and now a FOTCM listener, yippee!) and am here to learn. Sometimes by doubt - "prove it" and "show me"... I hope I'm not faulted for this...
Good Night! Happy Independence Day!

 

[Horus_Risen]

I often have to remind myself not to focus too much on worst case scenarios, rather, just be aware of them along with all other potentials and remain grounded in the here and now. I hate to think what might manifest if mass consciousness focuses on and anticipates such extreme outcomes.

I am adopting the approach of separating true knowledge from conjecture, trying to remain as objective as possible and not assigning emotional charges to possible outcomes.

Thanks for your thoughts on the concerns I was having. The above quote is probably universally helpful, at least when confronting dangerous scenarios. There's nothing we can do but the best we can do with the best info we can get our hands on. There's not much of a point in worrying to death.

 

[Beau]

It is very curious to me that both Galveston and Naples still remain untouched by the oil. Understanding how the Gulf loop current flows makes this more curious. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, are the first direct shot for the oil to go, up to around Destin. The way the current flows next would push it west towards Houston and Galveston, and the other spin would be towards Naples and the Keys of FL.

Is it possible that the oil spill is having an affect on the Gulf current and this is causing what you describe above?

 

[Nawd]

Wow, if that is true (the Gulf loop currents being changed), it might affect weather the world around, because it is "one of the most important currents."
http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/gulfstream.htm

It is very curious to me that both Galveston and Naples still remain untouched by the oil. Understanding how the Gulf loop current flows makes this more curious. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, are the first direct shot for the oil to go, up to around Destin. The way the current flows next would push it west towards Houston and Galveston, and the other spin would be towards Naples and the Keys of FL.

Is it possible that the oil spill is having an affect on the Gulf current and this is causing what you describe above?

 

[vectis]

It is very curious to me that both Galveston and Naples still remain untouched by the oil. Understanding how the Gulf loop current flows makes this more curious. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, are the first direct shot for the oil to go, up to around Destin. The way the current flows next would push it west towards Houston and Galveston, and the other spin would be towards Naples and the Keys of FL.

Is it possible that the oil spill is having an affect on the Gulf current and this is causing what you describe above?

very very possibly.

I just did a quick search for "Gulf Steam changing" and came up with quite a few interesting sites.

Gulf Stream Shutdown: _http://www.gulfstreamshutdown.com/
...has some interesting links, and curious enough some talk about the coming "ice age"

Woods Hole Institute, Abrupt climate changes... _http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=12455

(this was quoted in early May)
"Now that oil has entered the Loop Current, it is likely to reach Florida within six days," Dr Chapron said. "Since Envisat ASAR, ERS-2 and other SAR satellites are systematically planned to acquire data over the area, we will monitor the situation continuously."
_http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMBKST889G_index_0.html

I am so glad the oil is NOT progressing as rapidly; and there seems to be a lot of info to peruse concerning the Gulf current changes...

 

[Jacques]

From http://intotheashes.imva.info/?p=367 Excelent article written by Dr Mark Sircus

This graphic demonstrates how the oil could interact
with the world’s major ocean currents.

 

[Infiniteness]

It seems BP and the government are trying to put new sand over oil soaked beaches.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaHJf1GLD1E&feature=popular

 

[Iron]

Seems that a giant oil skimmer has arrived to avert the mess. Now BP is sending the message that it was expecting the other measures to fail and that giant ship was the plan B.

[quote author=Social Media SEO]

BP Oil Spill Update – A Whale Skimmer Arrives

The BP oil spill recovery efforts are about to get a huge helping hand. An oil skimmer ship called the A Whale has been deployed from a Taiwanese company. The A Whale ship was originally designed to be one of the world’s largest cargo vessels to transport crude oil and iron ore. However, since the BP oil spill disaster, TMT (the company that owns A Whale) has modified the ship to become what is now known as the world’s first large-scale oil skimmer.

The A Whale arrived in the Gulf on Wednesday and was anchored in Boothville, Louisiana, about an hour south of New Orleans.

Frank Maisano, a spokesman for ship owner TMT shipping, said it is still awaiting approval to join the effort. Allen said the vessel — estimated to be able to skim up to 21 million gallons a day — is awaiting testing. That capacity is at least 250 times the amount that the modified fishing boats currently conducting skimming operations have been able to contain, the company says according to CNN.

BP Oil Continues To Gush into Gufl

As the oil spill continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico, there is now the first hurricane of the season – Hurricane Alex – to deal with. And the weather from the hurricane is now directly impacting the relief and recovery efforts of everyone involved, barred one.

The only relief effort in the gulf that is not hindered by the hurricane is the drilling of the relief well. BP’s relief well, which will supposedly allow the gushing pipe to be shut off completely, is not affected by the hurricane weather and is still on schedule to be completed by August. [/quote]

 

[vectis]

Officials say BP spill now hitting all Gulf states

About five gallons of tar balls were found Saturday on the Bolivar Peninsula, northeast of Galveston, said Capt. Marcus Woodring, the Coast Guard commander for the Houston/Galveston sector. Two gallons were found Sunday on the peninsula and Galveston Island, though tests have not yet confirmed its origin.

Woodring said the consistency of the tar balls indicates it's possible they could have been spread to Texas water by ships that have worked out in the spill. But there's no way to confirm the way they got there.

The largest tar balls found Saturday were the size of pingpong balls, while the ones Sunday were more like nickels and dimes.

Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski said he believed the tar balls were a fluke, rather than a sign of what's to come.

"This is good news," he said. "The water looks good. We're cautiously optimistic this is an anomaly."

The distance between the western reach of the tar balls in Texas and the most eastern reports of oil in Florida is about 550 miles.

(AP)

 

[Ca.]

Through the labours efforts of SOTT, forum member's, as well as other concerned media outlets, is the exposure of the truth to the effects of this event, as it continues to jeopardize personnel, volunteers, and people that live in the affected Gulf Region.

They are being lied to with the necessary knowledge to protect themselves in there efforts to help, with out being part of the collateral damage. Any one living in the effected locations in the south, have become aware and concerned that they are being lied too, not only by BP but the government as well. This is criminal activity in all the regulatory branches that are responsible and doing nothing to protect those that are in this environment. That includes knowledge of the short term, and long term health risk, to physical, mental, emotional, as well to genetic damage by the released oil spread and its by products.

I have included a site that deals with industrial safety equipment www.grainger.com This company covers the spectrum in all types of and levels of protection in dangerous environments such is in the gulf.
There is a small catch and to use the resources must be either a contractor, public servant, Fire police industrial industry and the such. I would imagine that maybe everyone has friends and or family that they can network in these industries mentioned.

What is given only covers the lungs and this is a limited amount of protection. The only real protection to those living to the area is self contained breathing apparatus. And is there any doubt that this the worse hazmat( hazardous material) spill ever engineered. And as being a hazmat situation would require the necessary clothing, eye, lung, and protective equipment necessary 24/7 to those working in these environments. Then comes the decontamination process with decontamination, collecting, containing, , and the removal of the of people, clothing, and equipment, from the contaminated environment for disposal which is what being avoided, by BP and the government. Yet they continue down play the situation and even sabotage any efforts of concerned people and Media from spreading the word of the severity of what this will and has caused to those living and working in the effected Gulf region.





Houston, TX Branch Representative
Branch Address:
6050 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77057-7514
Phone: 713-785-0175
Fax: 713-785-0498

Houston.International@grainger.com
Houston, TX
(358) Kate Riley-Lumley
International Account Manager
Houston, TX
Phone: 713-785-0175
Fax: 713-785-0498
kathleen.riley-lumley@grainger.com
Mark Stevens

International Account Manager
Houston, TX
Phone: 713-785-0175
Fax: 713-785-0498
markus.stevens@grainger.com

Miami, FL Branch Representative
Branch Address:
2255 NW 89th Place
Miami, FL 33172
Phone: 305-591-2512
Fax: 305-592-9458

Latin.America@grainger.com
Miami, FL
(480) Henry Swartz
International Account Manager
Trading Companies South Florida
Phone: 305-591-2512
Fax: 305-592-9458
henry.swartz@grainger.com





The Gulf oil spill: Part 1—The economic impact
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p3kwkSCC4Y

The Gulf oil spill: Part 2—The effect on human health
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-V5BPw3Tdg&feature=related

The Gulf oil spill: Part 3—The social impact
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCEP54jSKqU&feature=related



OV—Nos. 4JG02 and 4MH59
For use in foundries, undercoating, petroleum
operations, and agriculture, where exposures
include concentrations of organic vapors belownd.m

 

[Ca.]

What is expected for and of the value of life, safety, and what is not being seen or utilized.

From Wikipedea ...........Hazmat suit:

US Air Force firefighters in suits with an outer aluminized shell go through a decontamination line during an emergency management exercise.A Hazmat suit is a garment worn as protection from hazardous materials or substances. A Hazmat suit is generally combined with breathing apparatus for protection and may be used by firefighters, emergency personnel responding to toxic spills, researchers, specialists cleaning up contaminated facilities, or workers in toxic environments. It is sometimes confused with, or referred to as, an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) suit, which is a military version intended to be usable in combat.

Contents:
1 Capabilities
1.1 Overview
1.2 Ratings
1.2.1 In the United States
1.2.2 In Europe
2 Types
2.1 Gas / vapor protection
2.2 Splash protection
3 In fiction
4 See also
5 References

Capabilities
Overview

More generally, hazmat suits may provide protection from:

Chemical agents - through the use of appropriate barrier materials like teflon, heavy PVC or rubber and tyvek
Nuclear agents - possibly through radiation shielding in the lining, but more importantly by preventing direct contact with or inhalation of radioactive particles or gas
Biological agents - through fully sealed systems (often at overpressure to prevent contamination even if the suit is damaged)
Fire/high temperatures - usually by a combination of insulating and reflective materials which reduce or retard the effects
The Hazmat suit generally includes breathing air supplies to provide clean, uncontaminated air for the wearer. In laboratory use, the external air may be provided through air hoses supplied from a 'clean' location. This air is usually pumped into the suit at positive pressure with respect to the surroundings as an additional protective measure against the introduction of dangerous agents into a potentially ruptured or leaking suit.

Working in a Hazmat suit is very strenuous, as the suits tend to be less flexible than conventional work garments. With the exception of laboratory versions, Hazmat suits can be hot and poorly ventilated (if at all). Therefore, use is usually limited to short durations of up to 2 hours, depending on the difficulty of the work. Level A (United States) suits, for example, are limited by their air supply to around 15-20 minutes of very strenuous work (such as a firefighting rescue in a building).[2]

However, OSHA/EPA protective level A suits/ensembles are not typically used in firefighting rescue, especially during a building/structure fire. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant "turnout gear," and NIOSH-certified SCBA, or CBRN SCBA, are the primary protection technologies for structure firefighting in the US.

Ratings
In the United States
Hazmat protective clothing is classified as either Level A, B, C, or D, based upon the degree of protection they provide.[3]


Level AThe highest level of protection against vapors, gases, mists, and particles is Level A, which consists of a fully encapsulating chemical entry suit with a full-facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or a supplied air respirator (SAR) with an SCBA escape cylinder. A crew member must also wear boots with steel toes and shanks on the outside of the suit and specially selected chemical-resistant gloves for this level of protection. The breathing apparatus is worn inside (encapsulated within) the suit. To qualify as Level A protection, an intrinsically safe two-way radio is also worn inside the suit, often incorporating voice-operated microphones and an earpiece speaker for monitoring the operations channel.

Level B protection requires a garment (including SCBA) that provides protection against splashes from a hazardous chemical. Since the breathing apparatus is worn on the outside of the garment, Level B protection is not vapor-protective. It is worn when vapor-protective clothing (Level A) is not required. Wrists, ankles, facepiece and hood, and waist are secured to prevent any entry of splashed liquid. Depending on the chemical being handled, specific types of gloves and boots are donned. These may or may not be attached to the garment. The garment itself may be one piece or a two-piece hooded suit. Level B protection also requires the wearing of chemical-resistant boots with steel toes and shanks on the outside of the garment. As with Level A, chemical-resistant gloves and two-way radio communications are also required.

Level C protection differs from Level B in the area of equipment needed for respiratory protection. The same type of garment used for Level B protection is worn for Level C. Level C protection allows for the use of respiratory protection equipment other than SCBA. This protection includes any of the various types of air-purifying respirators. Crew members should not use this level of protection unless the specific hazardous material is known and its concentration can be measured. Level C equipment does not offer the protection needed in an oxygen deficient atmosphere.


Level D protection does not protect the crew member from chemical exposure. Therefore, this so-called level of protection can only be used in situations where a crew member has no possibility of contact with chemicals. A pair of coveralls or other work-type garment along with chemical-resistant footwear with steel toes and shanks are all that is required to qualify as Level D protection. Most firefighter turnout gear is considered to be Level D.

In Europe
Most suits used in Europe are covered by a set EU Norms, and divided into a total of six types (levels) of protection:

Type 1: Protects against liquid and gaseous chemicals. Gas tight. (prEN 943 part 1). More or less equivalent to US level A.
Type 2: Protects against liquid and gaseous chemicals. Non gas tight. (prEN 943 part 1). More or less equivalent to US level B.1
Type 3: Protects against liquid chemicals for a limited period. Liquid tight. (prEN 1511)
Type 4: Protects against liquid chemicals for a limited period. Spray tight. (prEN 1512). More or less equivalent to US level C.
Type 5: Protects against liquid chemicals for a limited period. Only covers body partially. (prEN 1513). More or less equivalent to US level D.
Type 6: Protects parts of body against liquid chemicals (prEN 13034)
1: Can be used in places where the chemical in gaseous form isn't harmful to the body exterior.

Level A/Type 1 suit. SCBA is inside suit
Level B/Type 2 suit. SCBA is outside suit
Level C/Type 4 suit
Type 6 glove made of nitrile rubber


Types
Hazmat suits come basically in two variations: splash protection and gastight suits. As the name implies the splash protection suits are designed to prevent the wearer from coming into contact with a liquid. These suits do not protect against gasses or dust. Gastight suits protect the wearer from basically any outside influence apart from heat and radiation.

Gas / vapor protection
Such suits (Level A in the US) are gas or vapor-tight, providing total encapsulation and the highest level of protection against direct and airborne chemical contact. They are typically worn with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) enclosed within the suit.

These suits are typically constructed of several layers and, being air tight, include a release valve so the suit does not overinflate from air exhaled by the SCBA. The release valve does retain some air to keep some positive pressure ("overpressure") inside the suit. As noted, such suits are usually limited to just 15-20 minutes of use by their mobile air supply.[2]

With each suit described here, there is a manufactured device designed to protect the respiratory system of the wearer while the suit/ensemble is used to protect skin exposed to potential, or actual dermal, hazardous agents. That device is a respirator. A respirator may be something as simple as a headband strap filtering facepiece respirator (FFR), to a headharness negative pressure fullface respirator (Air-Purifying Respirator (APR)), to a full face, tight fitting, closed breathing air, or open circuit, self-contained breathing apparatus (CC-SCBA or SCBA).

Splash protection
Such suits (Level B in the US) are not vapor-tight and thus provide a lesser level of protection. They are, however, worn with an SCBA, which may be located inside or outside of the suit, depending on the type of suit (encapsulating or non-encapsulating). They more closely resemble the one-piece Tyvek coveralls often seen used in construction and demolition work. Yet, Level B splash suits may also be fully encapsulating suits which are simply not airtight.

Lesser protection (Level C in the US) suits may be coveralls of treated material, or multi-piece combinations, sealed with tape. This kind of protection is still "proof" against many non-invasive substances, such as anthrax.[2]

In fiction
Hazmat suits have long been used as an important device found in fiction, especially science fiction, to dramatize the deadliness of lethal environments. Common dramatic situations usually involve a suit failure leading to rapid death in films such as The Andromeda Strain or Outbreak. Plot resolutions usually make the removal of a suit a pivotal moment, signifying the end of the threat.

The anonymity provided by hazmat suits has often been used to accentuate sinister motives. The scientists in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial are a good example of this, as are the farcical squad of hazmat-suited characters in the animation Monsters, Inc..

Hazmat suits are also commonly found in video games, used to navigate otherwise dangerous areas. Popular game series which feature hazmat-like suits include Maniac Mansion, Half-Life, Hitman: Contracts, Saints Row 2, The Conduit, Doom, Fallout 3, Deus Ex, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl its prequel S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky and Left 4 Dead 2.

See also
Bunker gear
Demron
Fire proximity suit
NBC suit, military equivalent
Suitport
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hazmat suit

Dictionary of Homeland Security and Defense, The (excerpt via Google Books) - O'Leary, Margaret R.; iUniverse, Inc., 2006, Page 215 a b c Hazmat training reveals dangers - The Cincinnati Enquirer, Monday 19 November 2001 Protective Clothing - Hazmat Gear (from the Naval Sea Systems Command website)
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HOT ZONE

Materials, since these will increase the area of the spill. · Don’t eat, drink, or smoke at the site; don’t touch your face, nose, mouth, or eyes. (These are all direct routes of entry into your body.) · Eliminate any possible source of ignition (e.g., flares, flames, sparks, smoking, flashes, flashlights, engines, portable radios). ·

Notify your dispatcher and give your location. Request the assistance of the HAZMAT response team. ·

If possible, identify the hazardous material and report it to the dispatcher. ·

Observe all safety precautions and directions given by the on-site HAZMAT expert.
All orders should be given and received face to face. ·

Stay clear of restricted areas until the on-site HAZMAT expert declares them to be safe.

Rescue from Exclusion Zone (Hot Zone) The most dangerous element of any HAZMAT incident—both to the exposed victims and the rescuers—is the rescue from the hot zone.
Rescue operations should always be performed using appropriate protective equipment (PPE). You must never enter the area unless you have been appropriately trained to do so. Let the experts handle this aspect of the rescue, but be prepared to provide supportive care once the victim is clear of the contaminated area. As soon as the patient has been removed to safety, you should follow normal primary and secondary survey procedures, including interviews of the patient and bystanders. Observe the patient and provide basic life support. Give the patient supplemental oxygen, and monitor vital signs closely.

Patient Decontamination Procedures Decontamination is the process of removing or neutralizing and properly disposing of contaminants that have accumulated on personnel and equipment.
Decontamination protects site personnel by minimizing the transfer of contaminants, helps to prevent the mixing of incompatible chemicals, and protects the community by preventing uncontrolled transportation of contaminants from the site. All personnel, clothing, and equipment that leave the contamination area (exclusion zone) must be decontaminated to remove any harmful chemicals that may have adhered to them. Some decontamination methods include those listed below. · Dilution: the flushing of the contaminated person or equipment with water. ·

Absorption: the use of special filters and chemicals to absorb the hazardous material. · Chemical washes: specific chemicals used to neutralize the hazardous material. · Disposal and isolation: the proper disposal of contaminated materials instead of attempting to decontaminate them. Dilution is the most frequently appropriate method of decontamination. Decontamination requires the use of PPE, although the level of protection required may be less once the victim is out of the hot zone.


A victim who is e x p o s e d t o a g a s m a y n o t r e q u i r e a c t u a l “decontamination” after rescue and only require cessation of exposure and an opportunity to breathe fresh air. However, if a victim is soaked with a liquid, the HAZMAT may pose an ongoing risk to the victim and to the rescuers or medical personnel. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS ASSUME THAT THE VICTIM HAS BEEN CONTAMINATED WITH SOMETHING THAT COULD HARM YOU AND OTHERS UNTIL DETERMINED OTHERWISE.

Do not be foolish or bold and presume that you or others will not be exposed and harmed! Once the victim is medically evaluated, carefully remove any solid material that remains on the patient’s clothing. Be alert not to get any on yourself. If the material is dry, immediately remove the victim’s clothing while avoiding or minimizing contact with the HAZMAT or loss of the HAZMAT from the clothing. Unless specifically contraindicated by the hazardous nature of the HAZMAT and directed by the incident commander or the supporting medical advisor, flush the patient’s skin, clothing, and eyes with water. To the maximum extent possible, control or retain the runoff (which is contaminated) which will be containerized for proper disposal. Remove all of the victim’s clothing, shoes, and jewelry. Place everything that may have contacted the HAZMAT in a special container. Mark the container as contaminated. Continue flushing the skin with water for at least 20 5-25 min.