They were all graduates of military post-secondary schools in the chemical defense branch. The chemical specialists worked with selected toxic agents both in the laboratory, as well as at chemical defense training facilities. The Czech chemical detection personnel were highly trained chemical specialists. The available literature about the Czech equipment is limited, however it provides a summary of the chemical detection capabilities available to the Czech specialists. The GSP-11 uses a photodetector to detect a color change on a tape that has been treated with a reagent.
Nerve agent sets off both an audible and a visible alarm.
If nerve agents are detected, a second equipment set, the CHP-71, is used to identify the specific agent and its concentration. At the more sensitive setting, test samples are taken at intervals of 60 to 80 seconds. Each test cycle lasts between 22 and 26 seconds. This setting allows the GSP-11 to remain in operation for two hours on one reagent filling. At the less sensitive setting, test samples are taken at intervals of 5 to 8 minutes.