The Gas Chamber

The next phase of training is called Basic Warrior Training or BWT.  The first part of this joyous experience is the gas chamber.  We sat through a series of classes where they explained how the mask works and how to create a seal and how to clear the mask.  They also explained what the gas does and its effects on the body. Tear gas or CS gas is a non-lethal weapon that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tears, pain and even blindness. We were told not breathe it in.  We were told not open our eyes.  We were told not touch our faces afterward.  Why am telling you this?  Because just like everything else that we've done in this self-imposed insane asylum, some people just DO NOT listen!!!  

We practiced taking the mask out of the case and putting it on.  We practiced breaking the seal and then clearing the mask.  We practiced raising the mask to our foreheads and the pulling it back on and clearing it.  Finally we practiced taking it all the way and then putting it back on and clearing it.  We did this with our eyes tightly closed, our mouths closed and holding our breath because that is how you do it in the gas chamber.  This will also minimize your exposure to the gas. They emphasized the importance of learning to do this quickly and calmly.  The DIs told us that once we were inside the doors would be locked and that we wouldn't be allowed to leave till we completed the three procedures with the mask.  It almost seemed idiot proof.

Our Senior was in the gas chamber.  He had on a complete Chem Suit.  He looked like Doc Brown or Marty from Back to the Future in that getup.  We had our gas mask carriers strapped to our legs and our fatigues on.  Once we got inside the senior said "GAS! GAS! GAS!"  The signal to put on the masks.  We put on our masks as he broke the gas pellet and CS Gas began to fill the room.  Now one side effect that nobody mentioned is the sting.  We got hair cuts the day before and most of us have sand flea bites all over our arms. The gas seeped into our cuts and our pores and stung like crazy.  I could feel it burning in my ears and my neck from where I shaved the night before. It was uncomfortable but tolerable.

Now what happened next I still find difficult to believe.  We were told to take a deep breath and break the seal of masks. We had to wait till we were told to clear them.  Then we cleared them by pushing the cannister and exhaling which blows the gas out of the mask and reseals it.  However a small amount of the gas remains in the mask and it burns.  Once again uncomfortable but tolerable.  Now the next command was take a deep breath and pull the mask up to our foreheads.  One of the guys did it backwards.  He lifted off his mask and then took a deep breath.  He flipped out.  He began to cough and scream.  The Senior ordered us to clear our masks.  The kid yelled at the top of his "I NEED TO GET THE F@#$ OUT OF HERE!!!" Then he ran as fast as could at the door and literally bounced off it and fell to the ground.  Then he did it again!!!  At this point the Senior grabbed him and slapped him.  Literally he slapped him across the face like Lesley Nielson in Airplane.  "THAT DOOR WON'T OPEN UNTIL WE GET THROUGH THE NEXT TWO MOVEMENTS!!" the Senior screamed.  Somehow the kid got himself together and we did the next two drills.  Once we got outside the cool air hit our skin and then it really started to burn.  Guys were coughing and wretching and snot was running free. If you are ever really stuffed up, a little CS gas will clear you right up!!