The Survivalist Pledge:

To help all that can be helped,
To defend all that can be defended,
To save all that can be saved,
To free all that seek freedom,
To stay alive as long as I can and stay free as long as I live.

Dosimeters are designed to measure accumulated exposure doses of gamma radiation. They can be read by holding the glass-capped end toward your eye and pointing the opposite end toward any light source sufficient to see the scale and hairline. There is no operational check for dosimeters; however, when they are first received, they should be recharged, both to re-zero them and to check their electrical leakage characteristics.

The leakage characteristics may be checked by zeroing the dosimeters and placing them in a radiation-free area for 4 days. If the leakage rate exceeds 5% of full scale per 4 days, the leakage rate should be determined and the contribution from electrical leakage subtracted from the dose as measured by the leaking dosimeter. All dosimeters will leak over time. Most civilian/CD dosimeters will require a "soak in" charge after long-term storage in an uncharged condition. Consequently, such dosimeters should be charged and the reading observed for a few hours before using them. A second charging may be required before the dosimeters are ready for use.

When not in use, dosimeters should be charged and stored in a dry place. When performing scheduled checks of instruments, dosimeters should be read and, if they indicate more than one-fourth of full scale, they should be recharged and re-zeroed. A dosimeter charger is used to charge/zero and to read the dosimeter. The reading on the scale shows how much radiation the wearer has accumulated since setting the unit to zero.

Always recharge the dosimeter to zero before entering a radiation zone. Carry the dosimeter in your shirt pocket and note the time you enter the area of radiation on a piece of paper. You should carry both a roentgen and miliroentgen dosimeter at one time if possible as too much radiation will cause the hairline to go off the scale on the miliroentgen dosimeter and insufficient radiation may not be readable on the roentgen scale. As soon as possible after leaving the radiation zone, note the time on the same piece of paper. Total the hours of radiation exposure at the end of each day on the bottom of this paper. Point the dosimeter toward a light source (flashlight, light bulb, candle, etc.) and note the reading on the scale. Divide this reading by the number of hours of exposure and the result is the r/hr. (roentgens per hour) you have been exposed to.

Remember that radiation dosage is cumulative. Keep track of the total radiation you have been exposed to.

Unlike the civilian/CD dosimeter charger which uses a battery for a light source and for power to recharge dosimeters, military chargers have their own generator built into a finned wheel on the side of each charger. These require a light source which is reflected through a prism into a dosimeter when the charger is being used. A flashlight works well as it may not be practical to go out into the sunlight. The light source should be at exactly a right angle to the prism to provide proper recharging light. Unscrew the cap on the top of the charger exposing a round glass receptacle with a pin in the center. Place the dosimeter glass end up onto the round receptacle. Push down hard with your left hand on the dosimeter and adjust the charger to the light source until the scale can easily be seen. Turn the winged handle with your right hand in the increase direction (clockwise) until the hairline appears and keep turning until it is set on zero. It may be necessary to turn the handle in a counter-clockwise direction (though not usually).

If all else fails, read the directions on the side of each charger!

 

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