Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook

Book Description

Newly updated, the Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook: Second Edition is an essential guide for US first responders that consolidates critical planning information and response procedures for a chem-bio incident. Fundamental on-scene procedural information includes initial response procedures, chemical agent indicator matrix, on-scene handling of biological agents, decontamination procedures, site set-up procedures with detailed graphics, and much more.

Key contents include:

Pre-incident planning

On-scene procedures

Comprehensive management checklists for rapid response

Latest triage and casualty management

Chemical-biological agent descriptions and effects

Chemical-biological agent delivery systems and methods

Management of biological casualties

Post-incident recovery including critical incident stress debriefing

Meteorological conditions

Chem-bio case studies

Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook: Second Edition is also available in Latin-American Spanish, Russian and French. Please ask your local Jane's representative for details.

Intended for: First responders: Military, Police, Fire and EMS officials.

Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL!.......2001-09-30

This is a wonderful book for any first responder to have.
It is very easy to use because not only does it come with on and off scene procedures, but it also has quick reference tables and charts. On a scale of 1 to 5 I give it a 10!

Tries to be all things..........2001-05-15

and falls short. Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook is much improved over the freebie notepad version they gave out a few years back, but it suffers from a lack of focus. The small size, spiral binding, and tabs suggest it is intended as a first responder or incident commander handbook, but occasional topical discourses suggest that it is meant as a textbook. As a result, it is hard to find the information that would be needed on the scene (an index helps, but only slightly), while the coverage of the various topics is too uneven for it to be a good text. In some places, it seems to be simply a compilation of information from various (US) field manuals.

There are some good ideas, but they seem to be sabotaged by the execution. The checklist version of the "Agent Indicator Matrix" (based on the Defense Protective Service model) is a good idea, but it is spread over three pages (instead of being arranged to fit on two facing pages in a landscape presentation or provided as a foldout) so that it can neither be copied easily or used easily in the book. A section on the threat of stolen military munitions, after noting that stockpiles in other countries are not as well secured as those in the US, then proceeds to a description of US weapons without describing distinguishing characteristics of chemical munitions relative to conventional munitions or how the munitions described might relate to foreign munitions.

There are also some surprising errors in the hodgepodge of facts. The volume I purchased indicates that it is from the sixth printing, so I have to presume that most typos have been corrected. One particularly egregious error is in the characterization of liquid phosgene as "...not hazardous except as a source of vapor." This statement is highlighted in a little box with a finger pointing at it on page 106, and repeated on page 108. While certainly it is the vapor that kills, liquid phosgene splashed into the eyes is known to produce opacification. Subsequently, it is stated that "Phosgene [vapor] does not damage the eyes or skin..." Yet it is well known that concentrated phosgene vapor will irritate both the skin and eyes, and, while this would not be fatal, and is usually not permanent the downplaying of these risks is certainly inappropriate, to put it mildly.

To try to close on a positive note, this book does have some good information salted in various odd spots. If you are responsible for a training program, it would be a good book for you to look at, provided it is not the only reference you use. The table of emergency decontamination materials found at a K-Mart, for instance, suggests an obvious bit of homework for your trainees.

In summary, this handbook should not be your first or only purchase, but it probably has a place in a comprehensive library. Given the reputation of Jane's, a bit more proofreading would have been in order.

Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook: A useful tool.......2000-06-07

Among those involved with the planning and implementation of specialized, multi-casualty incident response, this book is quite useful. Field personnel, command staff, and planners - all will find it helpful. I found it to be concise, packable, and physically handy. About the only thing I'd change would be to laminate the pages for weather resistance.

R.D. Lopez, Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Specialist, Dept. of Public Health

Well written, portable, multi-purpose.......2000-02-18

This book offers a concise overview of (1) on scene procedures such as triage and decontamination, (2) general characteristics of weapon classes, (3) details of specific agents, and (4) treatments. It also describes precursor chemicals and 4 case histories. It is better written and more detailed than the comparable book "First responder chem-bio handbook".

Average customer rating:

Very engaging characters and story
Cute-sy a bit juvenile
Engrossing science fiction read. Wow!
Diverting...
Love Lynn Viehl - Roc & Stardoc series

Bio Rescue (Roc Science Fiction)
S.L. Viehl
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451460081

Book Description

A new interstellar adventure from the bestselling author of the Stardoc saga... Lieutenant Dair mu T'resa finds a new calling in life as an interstellar paramedic with a Bio Rescue team. But the entire project faces opposition from a lupine species with a hatred for native 'Zangians like Dair...

Lieutenant Dair mu T'resa heads a squadron of SEAL (surgically enhanced/altered lifeform) pilots responsible for the security of the quadrant containing her home world of Kevarzangia Two. She finds a new calling in life as an interstellar paramedic leading the first Bio Rescue team. But the entire project faces opposition from a lupine species with a hatred for native 'Zangians like Dair...

Customer Reviews:

Very engaging characters and story.......2007-04-27

These books and the Stardoc novels that preceded them are all very well written. I enjoy Viehl's character building and plot-lines. These are books I can't put down, which makes it difficult to get work done. The main character has so far always been a very strong female character who is willing to sacrifice everything over and over for the values she believes in, yet they aren't ever "perfect" people and they have their faults. Viehl builds great alien characters, which I think is a lot more challenging than we non-writers might appreciate. Building multiple cultures that are distinctive for each race has got to be difficult but I feel like if I ever ran into a member from one of the species in her books, I would know how to avoid giving offense.

The only negative for me in Viehl's books, including Bio Rescue, is that, for some reason her strong, independent female leads always seem to get themselves into relationships with males who are domineering, repressive personalities who continually do things the women don't want done "for their own good" and in the name of love. For example, Dair, the female lead of Bio Rescue mates with someone who them immediately demands she resign her military position. He continues to undermine her authority as commander of their flight team, even escalating his efforts after they mate. He blackmails her when she's been kicked out of the military and exiled from her people, promising to restore both to her if she will agree to be his mate for life. And she agrees!!! WHAT'S UP WITH THAT!?!?!?! This patronizing, superior attitude rubs me the wrong way but what really throws me is that these women accept this behavior and allow it. They submit to it. I wish strong women could find partners who respected their strengths WITHOUT trying to diminish them. I've read all of Viehl's SF books, and this one facet reemerges over and over and it's frustrating. The funny thing is that most of these women start out with someone who is much more open minded and respectful, and willing to view them as equals, but something invariable happens to them...

Anyway, I still like these books and highly recommend them for an entertaining and engaging read.

Cute-sy a bit juvenile.......2006-06-28

I found the story a bit too juvenile although I did like it. I wonder if it was written for pre-teens.

Engrossing science fiction read. Wow!.......2006-02-26

Although I haven't caught up with her backlist, I love S.L. Viehl's writing from when I read "Blade Dancer." In "Bio Rescue" she creates a world where the aliens are aliens and the military and political aspects of the world collide with everyday life. Partially in the world of Terrans and partially in the world of the Zangians, Dair straddles two worlds. She comes across as a strong character who knows her own mind, and her interactions with members of her crew, as well as others in the world, are believable and in character. The relationship between her and another full-Zangian male does tend to fit in the traditional "romance" mold, but when combined with excellent world building, characterization, and a plot that simply won't quit, it creates an exciting read. Fans of traditional science fiction as well as fans of science fiction romance will both find an excellent book within these pages and it ranks as one of top books I've read so far this year.

Diverting..........2005-11-08

Another book that I picked up in an airport book stand, where selection is limited, I'll admit up-front that this isn't something I'd normally gravitate towards. I haven't read any of the STARDOC series, but this is supposed to fit into the world.

In any case, the story is good and the writing is pleasant; the pages do turn and eventually you arrive at the end. There are some nice ideas here (more could be done with them) and the parts set in the sea have a nice flavor and texture.

On the other hand, several times I also hurled the book away, unhappy with the author's choices.

For starters, the characters are all humans. Well... it says that they're orca-like or dog-like or whatever-like, but they all act and react like humans, which is deeply disconcerting. The inter-species romance stuff is kind of killed by this (imagine a dog mating with a whale for a moment).

The cover story--ostensibly this is about the whale-like aliens piloting a rescue service in space--isn't really to focus of the plot, which is really about various plots and subplots involving the main character, Dair, and those around her. The ending--phooey--is very abbreviated, which is really what leads me to be so hard on the book now.

Overall, a pleasant, diverting read, but definitely beach fare.

Love Lynn Viehl - Roc & Stardoc series.......2005-10-04

I won't review the book for you -- just get it and plunge right in. I love to read Viehl's Stardoc series and now Roc series. All the characters are so human, and those who are sarcastic are great. Now I have to start on some more of her series, though I don't believe she can get better than the books I've read so far. Can't wait for a new Stardoc, and just ordered the last Roc book, which somehow slipped by me. Thanks Amazon for publishing these lists and keeping me on my toes and THANKS Lynn for writing these books.

Average customer rating:

Well-written, interesting and thoughtful
Good Filler But Not Remarkable
More Romance than Sci-fi

Afterburn: Bio Rescue #2
S.L. Viehl
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451461177

Book Description

After driving a mutual enemy across the border territories, the Allied League of Worlds gathers for a peace summit on K-2, the homeworld of the underwater dwelling 'Zangians. With the Bio Rescue team assigned to protect the delegates, Sub-Lieutenant Burn mu Znora's attention is placed on Liana, the daughter of one of the ambassadors, who possesses information vital to the fate of four worlds.

Customer Reviews:

Well-written, interesting and thoughtful.......2007-07-08

Having not read any other StarDoc novels, I can't say how this novel stacks up in the series. However, having said that, I would say this is an excellent novel - well-written, interesting and thoughtful. Ms. Viehl blends the fantastic elements of space with the down-to-earth aspects of reality. She has created alien characters that are essentially human, and as a reader, you begin to feel for these people - no matter how strange their physical characteristics may be to your own experiences. Additionally, each character is written in the best possible way to draw emotion from the reader. The villians are particularly loathsome; the heroes wonderfully heroic, yet with a touch of humanity. Her powers of description make you feel like you could close your eyes and see the worlds she's describing.

Bravo, Ms. Viehl. Now, I need to go out and buy all the rest of her novels.

Good Filler But Not Remarkable.......2007-02-24

I really enjoyed the adventures of Cherijo and Duncan. This book and Afterburn take up on K2 after Cherijo saves the settlement from contagion. It was good to see some of the same characters but I had a hard time connecting with this new story. I found it hard to visualize exactly how a marine creature could be transformed into a bi-ped capable of the manual dexterity it would take to fly a spacecraft. I was able to put that aside and enjoy the story but I didn't feel a connection with the main characters.

More Romance than Sci-fi.......2007-01-13

Three and a half stars. Afterburn follows Bio Rescue in this series which features the aquatic `Zangians on K-2. (K-2 is the planet that the StarDoc series began upon) Both books in the series were initially released in hardcover. Some of the `Zangians have been modified to breathe air. As such, they patrol space around K-2 and attempt to assist ships that might run a fowl of the League or Hsktskt near the planet. During a mission, Burn, who is cousin to the main character in Bio Rescue, interrupts a raid on an ambassadors ship. The ship is on its way to K-2 for a peace conference. Saving the day, he encounters and instantly takes a liking to the ambassadors daughter, Liana. Some problems crop up in the relationship almost immediately since Liana is from a strict matriarchal society, and Burn is from a society that relies on both partners in relationships. Additionally, people seem to be disappearing and it looks like one of the peace conference attendee's might be killing them.

The Bio Rescue series a bit of a disappointment to me because the Romance elements out-balance the Science Fiction elements. However, unlike the first book, Afterburn is more adult than junior high. Afterburn is a better book than Bio Rescue, but one should probably read the first to bretter appreciate the second.

Average customer rating:

Bio Rescue
S L Viehl
Manufacturer: PENGUIN PUTNAM * TRADE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDAU6Q

Average customer rating:

Why pay for this?
The basics, clearly and concisely presented
Interesting & Informative - But Not detailed

Chem-Bio: Frequently Asked Questions

Manufacturer: Tempest Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Disaster Relief | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Emergency Care for Hazardous Materials Exposure - Revised Reprint (Emergency Care for Hazardous Materials Exposure)

ASIN: 0966543718

Book Description

The Chem-Bio: Frequently Asked Questions (CB-FAQ) book is designed to assist those who suddenly need to quickly develop a working knowledge of chem-bio terrorism or who need a quick refresher on various aspects of chem-bio. The 164 page 5 x 6.5 inch pocket-sized book is in a question and answer format and has been written for people who do not have a scientific background in chem-bio.

Customer Reviews:

Why pay for this?.......2002-01-30

Yes, the information is presented clearly, but why pay for a pocket-sized volume like this when a vast amount of similar content is already available for free on the Internet (with more becoming available almost daily)?

The basics, clearly and concisely presented.......2001-05-15

This book contains all the basic background information needed to bring someone up to speed on the essential principles of CBW written in a reader-friendly question-and-answer format. Each section moves from the general to the specific, and technical issues are explained in ways that make them understandable to those without Ph.D.'s in chemistry or medicine. Among the good stuff:

* The tables of potential agents derived from toxins and microorganisms and their properties (and the little table of proper singular and plural forms of the names that gave the impression that the author had seen it wrong just once too often).

* A section on the so-called Novichok agents that gives a very concise overview of what is known about these agents (at least to those without a security clearance).

* The footnote to the table of "How many drops does it take to kill a man?" which puts this information into perspective.

A minus - while the acronym table was probably fairly complete when the book was being written, there has been an explosion of new acronyms, and it could stand to be expanded.

It would also be useful (in future editions, perhaps) to include a few case studies beyond the obligatory nod to the Tokyo Subway incident.

While it appears to be intended as a training companion to Tempest's "First Responder Chem-Bio Handbook," it can also stand alone (and should probably be required reading for reporters, judging from a recent radio report in which anthrax was misidentified as a chemical agent - and don't forget that table of plural forms).

Interesting & Informative - But Not detailed.......1999-10-13

I found this pocket-sized book to be an interesting and handy reference for getting an overview of the general area of Chem-Bio, but lacking in detail about specific weapons and delivery methods.

This book would make an excellent jargon-buster, and probably serves best as a reference and jargon buster when reading more detailed books and publications.

Book Description

Written by emergency room physicians for emergency room physicians, this is an authoritative clinical reference on bioterrorism and disaster preparedness. The authors focus on specific ER strategies for preparing for a potential disaster as well as familiarizing from a practical and clinical standpoint the manifestations of large spectrum of biologic and radiologic agents.

Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook: Uk and International English Language Version (Janes)

Average customer rating:

Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook: Uk and International English Language Version (Janes)

Manufacturer: Jane's Information Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

Disaster Relief | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Terrorism | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Biochemistry | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0710625715

Book Description

Based on the Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook: 2nd Edition; this comprehensive guide incorporates response considerations and procedures developed for international responders. It provides resource material focusing on planning for, responding to, and managing the aftermath of a chemical or biological incident. Developed by experts from the fire and police services as well as the military, this valuable resource takes into account and provides for the needs of International first responders.

Contents include:

Pre-incident planning
On-scene procedures
Checklist for rapid response
Triage and casualty management considerations
Chemical and biological agent descriptions and effects
Chemical and biological agent delivery systems and methods
Chemical and biological casualty management considerations
Post-incident recovery
Meteorlogical conditions
Chem-bio case dtudies including the 2001 anthrax attacks

Average customer rating:

Practical Support

Good for those already into Almaas' method

imaginative

Adventures in inner space.

Spacecruiser Inquiry (Almaas, a. H. Diamond Body Series, 1.)
A. H. Almaas
Manufacturer: Shambhala
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Almaas, A.H. | ( A ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Diamond Heart, Book One: Elements of the Real in Man (The Diamond Heart Series , No 1)

Diamond Heart, Book Two: The Freedom to Be (The Diamond Heart Series , No 2)

The Pearl Beyond Price: Integration of Personality into Being, an Object Relations Approach (Diamond Mind)

Essence With the Elixir of Enlightenment: The Diamond Approach to Inner Realization

Inner Journey Home: The Soul's Realization of the Unity of Reality

ASIN: 1570628599
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Book Description

Over the past twenty-five years A. H. Almaas—widely recognized as a leader in integrating spirituality and psychology—has been developing and teaching the Diamond Approach, a spiritual path that integrates the insights of Sufism, Buddhism, Gurdjieff, and other wisdom traditions with modern psychology. In this new work, Almaas uses the metaphor of a "spacecruiser" to describe a method of exploring the immediacy of personal experience—a way of investigating our moment-by-moment feelings, thoughts, reactions, and behaviors through a process of open-ended questioning. The method is called the practice of inquiry, and Spacecruiser Inquiry reveals what it means to engage with this practice as a spiritual path: its principles, challenges, and rewards. The author explores basic elements of inquiry, including the open-ended attitude, the focus on direct knowledge, the experience of not-knowing, and the process of questioning. He describes the experience of "Diamond Guidance"—the inner wisdom that emerges from our true nature—and how it can be realized and applied. In this process Almaas looks at many of the essential forms of Diamond Guidance, including knowing, clarity, truth, love, intelligence, compassion, curiosity, courage, and determination. Also included are exercises and questions and answers from the original talks by Almaas on which the book is based.

Customer Reviews:

Practical Support.......2005-06-25

The title of this book is, to be honest, a little silly. But after getting over Almaas' metaphor I found this to be one of the best spiritual practice books I have come across. Inquiry, when done properly, is an amazingly powerful practice. Almaas takes you step by step into a deeper understanding of how to do this practice. That said, this book is not for everyone. I would suggest that someone should have read Diamond Heart One and Two (for most people these are a better starting point than the Diamond Mind series) and also have at least a couple of years of sitting meditation experience before working with this book. Without that foundation, this work might only engage you at the psychological level. This is also a "workbook" with lots of inquiry exercises-take your time with it. I would suggest setting aside some time to work with it two or three times a week. The inquiries will take 15-20 minutes each and shouldn't be skipped if you want to engage this work fully.

Good for those already into Almaas' method.......2003-01-26

This book is very practical for those already familiar with Almaas' teachings. It describes precise and extensively his method of self inquiry, and I underline the word "method", since the book focuses on inquiry itself, on "how" to inquire, and not on "what" to inquire about. 400 pages about how to conduct your inquiry can be a bit too specific and overwhelming for those not into the Diamond Approach, but, on the other hand, it can be the most valueble for those familiar with previous Almaas' books (especially the Diamond Mind series). I really recommend it for the latter, but beginners should choose another one to start with.

imaginative.......2002-11-20

a somewhat imaginary approach resulting in a somewhat imaginary enlightenment

Adventures in inner space........2002-07-26

"It can be scary, but it can be quite thrilling. Not everybody has the heart or the stomach for this kind of adventure" (p. 24). Using the metaphor of space travel that Joseph Campbell also used in his lectures, THE INNER REACHES OF OUTER SPACE, A. H. Almaas compares the exploration of our Being to the adventure of space travel. "The space we travel through is inner space," he writes, "our consciousness, our experience. And the vehicle for this journey is inquiry" (p. 30). Almaas sees a human being as a "multifaceted and multidimensional" universe of experience, constantly unfolding, and full of energy. "This is the very nature of what we call life" (p. 5). A life of inner inquiry, like space travel, offers a sense of mystery, vastness, and absolute spaciousness.

Almaas, or "Ali" as he is called by his students at the Ridhwan School here in Boulder, teaches the Diamond Approach to human potential, an integration of Sufism, Zen and Vajrayana Buddhism, and Gurdjieff with modern psychology. The aim of this Approach is that when we "learn how to invite our true nature to reveal itself, it will guide us toward realizing our own spiritual ground and, at the same time, actualize our potential in all walks of life" (p. xiv). SPACECRUISER offers its reader an excellent means to explore Almaas's glittering Diamond teachings.

G. Merritt

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