Setting Up a Group Decontamination Station After Nuclear or Radiological Exposure

Select a location outside and upwind of your shelter — never inside. Set up on hard ground (concrete, pavement) if possible to prevent contamination seeping into soil. Establish clear boundaries with rope or markers separating contaminated and clean zones. Prepare supplies: sealed bags for contaminated clothing, water containers, marked drainage path, clean towels, and clean clothing for each person expected.

Never set up decontamination inside a shelter — this spreads contamination throughout your safe space. Upwind location prevents contaminated water droplets and dust from blowing back toward the shelter.

Have each person remove all outer clothing and place it directly into a sealed bag — this single step removes approximately 80% of radioactive contamination. Fold clothing inward to avoid spreading particles. Place sealed bags in designated storage away from the shelter and any water sources. Maintain privacy with temporary barriers (sheets, tarps, or volunteers positioned with their backs turned).

Removing outer clothing before water contact is the highest-impact decontamination step. This is far more effective than water rinse alone — do not skip it.

Have the person rinse their entire body with clean flowing water for 3–5 minutes, starting at the head and working downward. Focus on exposed skin, hairline, ears, neck, armpits, between toes, and any areas that touched the ground. Use mild soap if available. Direct water drainage away from the shelter and away from any water sources — into a marked-off area. Pat dry with clean towels only.

Water drainage direction is critical — contaminated water must never flow toward your shelter or any drinking water collection area. Mark the drainage zone clearly.

Rinse hair multiple times with clean water, working soap through from scalp to ends. For open wounds, rinse gently and thoroughly with clean water for 1–2 minutes — do not scrub aggressively, as this can drive particles deeper. Allow water to flow over wounds; do not apply contaminated bandaging. For larger wounds, rinse first, then apply clean sterile dressing. Have a second person assist to ensure thorough coverage and maintain privacy.

Open wounds provide a direct pathway for radioactive particles to enter the bloodstream — decontaminate them thoroughly but gently, then cover with clean dressing.

Once completely dry, have the person put on clean clothing from a sealed supply. Verify they have completed all decontamination steps before allowing entry into the shelter. Maintain a written log recording: person's name, decontamination time, any wounds or health concerns noted, and the checkpoint person's initials. Keep the log in a safe location accessible to shelter leadership.

Never allow entry into the shelter without a log entry — the log tracks who is decontaminated and helps identify anyone who may have bypassed the station or needs medical attention.

Store double-bagged contaminated clothing in sealed containers stored far from the shelter and water sources — mark containers clearly as 'Contaminated. Do Not Open.' If someone arrives with extreme contamination (heavy dust caking, severe symptoms, unable to stand), prioritize their safety: rinse them while seated or lying down, assess whether isolation outside the shelter is necessary, and mark clearly if they have not completed decontamination. Seek emergency medical assistance if available.

Someone too contaminated to safely complete decontamination may pose a contamination risk to others in the shelter — isolate them temporarily and seek medical guidance rather than allowing shelter-wide spread.