Beware of VX

[BushMasterBoy]

A man and his daughter went out to eat and a bar. Somewhere along the way, they were poisoned with the nerve agent "VX". A police officer responded to the two passed out on a park bench, and he too was poisoned. Now all three are in an intensive care ward of a hospital.

The above events happened in Salisbury, England recently.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43323847



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VX_(nerve_agent)

[CoGirl303]

holy crap. That's like the stuff in the movie "The Rock" right?

[Great-Kazoo]

I'll keep that in mind next walk around the Thames. What ever one used in an attack. When the reaper calls your roulette number, it's time to go.

[mattiooo]

Where have they published the nerve agent that was used? Been following but haven't seen it.

Doesn't pay to be a spy, sometimes. Even a former spy.

[hollohas]

I don't think the fact he was a Russian spy is a coincidence. Pretty sure the rest of us, even those in England, dont need to worry too much about vx exposure.

[Gman]

It's a good thing they have such strict gun and knife laws.


Maybe they should put up nerve gas bins to get that stuff off the streets?

[BushMasterBoy]

Pravda reported it was fentanyl. I suspected an herbicide/pesticide. Could be a custom designer nerve agent. I really doubt it is though. Russian special forces have been suffering a few aviation disasters lately. VX is a favorite of former Com-bloc countries. You definitely need a gas mask and gloves to approach a victim of this stuff. Just figured I would post since this could happen here in Colorado. Don't ask me when I was last in Salisbury.

[cmailliard]

VX is typically a binary nerve agent. It was discovered in the 50's by the British. It is similar to Tabun (GA), Sarin (GB), and Soman (GD). It is basically an organophosphate pesticide that has been weaponized. Organophosphate Pesticides include Malathion, Parathion, Diazinon and others. These are still used in agriculture, you can go to Murdocks and find Malathion. Nerve Agents affect the cholinergic side of the Central Nervous System (the Parasympathetic side). They work by inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase between the nerve and muscle. This inhibition allows constant stimulation of the muscle and leads to the acronym of symptoms (SLUDGE-M):

Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defication
GI Pain
Emisis
Miosis

Most people die from respiratory causes related to paralysis of the diaphragm. Miosis (pinpoint pupils) is the most revealing sign of nerve agent toxicity, but also the most common (like 90% of victims in Tokyo had miosis). There have been plenty of videos from Syria where Sarin has been used quite a few times that show these signs and symptoms. High exposures will lead to seizures and death. Treatment for Nerve Agents, including VX, is pretty straight forward and pretty simple. Airway Management and Ventilation. Atropine is an Anti-Cholinergic that reduces the effect of the Nerve Agent. Pralidoxime Chloride (2-PAM) removes the nerve agent from the Acetylcholinesterase allowing it to work properly and symptoms are relieved pretty quick. EMS carries Atropine (usually not enough for Nerve Agents or Organophosphates though). Hospitals have Atropine and 2-PAM as well. Most hospitals also have a stockpile of at least 30-60 DuoDote kits (Atropine and 2-PAM in an Autoinjector). There are also things called ChemPacks that have large quantities of these antidotes. There are a handful of Chempacks along the Front Range.

PPE for nerve agents include an Air Purifying Respirator or Powered Air Purifying Respirator with an Organic Vapor Canister, Chemical Protective Clothing (CPF3 or similar fabric), Gloves, Boots, etc. Decon must be done with patients and yourself. VX is a very persistent agent, meaning it has low volatility, it will stick around awhile and not evaporate. It is like motor oil. It takes a lot to get it off of your skin (soap or shampoo).

If anyone is interested in a class let me know, we will go into much more detail on chemical weapons as well as other WMD's, put you in PPE, play with some radioactive sources and more.

[BPTactical]

Gonna go on a limb and say it was a planned hit

[Great-Kazoo]

Gonna go on a limb and say it was a planned hit

IN Roosha vx work for you