What should be done if a soldier experiences a chemical splash to their eye?

When a soldier experiences a chemical splash to the eye, the immediate and most critical response is to perform eye irrigation. This is essential because rinsing the eye helps to remove the harmful chemicals and prevents further damage to the delicate tissues of the eye. The sooner the irrigation starts, the better the outcome, as it can minimize the impact of the chemical exposure and reduce the risk of serious injury.

Eye irrigation should be done with copious amounts of clean, preferably lukewarm water or a sterile saline solution. This procedure should continue for at least 15 minutes or until medical personnel arrive to ensure that all traces of the chemical are flushed out. Quick action in this situation can potentially save vision and mitigate long-term effects from the exposure.

In contrast, applying ointment immediately or covering the eye with a bandage does not address the primary issue of removing the chemical agent. Waiting for medical personnel to arrive without providing initial irrigation compromises the soldier’s safety and could lead to more severe complications. Thus, immediate eye irrigation is the recommended course of action.