Outline the decontamination process for entrants during re-entry operations.

• A. A single wash at the point of entry.
• B. No decontamination is required.
• C. A staged process starting with gross decon at the entry point, followed by a wash/rinse sequence, and final clean decon in the hot/warm-to-cold transition area, with water runoff contained and monitored.
• D. Decontamination occurs only after exit.

Answer: (C)

Decontamination during re-entry relies on a staged sequence to prevent contaminants from spreading into clean areas. Start with gross decontamination at the entry point to rapidly remove bulk contaminants, reducing what needs to be cleaned later. Then move to a wash and rinse to systematically lower residual contamination on the person and their gear. Finish with a final clean decon in the hot/warm-to-cold transition area, providing a controlled last barrier before entering zones that are free of contamination. Containing and monitoring the water runoff is essential to prevent environmental release and to verify that the decon steps are effective.

This approach is better than a single wash, which might miss larger or scattered contamination, and far safer than skipping decon or performing it only after exit, which risks spreading contaminants beyond the controlled areas.