Training will include information on symptoms of nerve agent exposure and treatment techniques. Prevention is always a tough sell but to not take it serious and depend on luck is not acceptable. The counties have been trying to secure a stock of the antidote kits for three years. We're really pleased that we have it now and can get it out to the ambulance services that would be the first responders. Nerve agents cause people to lose control of muscles and stop breathing.
Initial symptoms range from drooling and muscle twitching to vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.
The first injection contains atropine to stop nerve impulses. The second contains pralidoxime to break the bond made with the nerve agent so the body can counteract the effects of the agent. It's a better delivery device than intramuscular injections. Not so, says Glarum. He said similar devices were handed out to civilians in Israel when they were threatened by Scud missiles.