Meet The Royal Marines Ready To Respond To Attacks Worldwide

Personnel from 40 Commando have to remain ready to deploy anywhere around the world, meaning they must be tested on how they operate in a chemical environment.

Exercise Toxic Dagger is designed to prepare troops for situations in which chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) hazards may be present.

Royal Marines support arms and medics are also included in the exercise, ready to decontaminate and treat any casualties.

However, in a toxic environment wounded troops are also trained to treat themselves before they are seen by a medic. 

The Royal Marines from 40 Commando wear state-of-the-art protective equipment to survive and operate in a CBRN environment.

The threats posed by dealing with casualties in a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear battlezone means medics are forced to work at a slower pace than they would like because soldiers must go through decontamination procedures before they can be treated.

Band Sergeant Caitlin O'Malley says:

"Everyone needs to get involved moving casualties - and with all their equipment on, they are quite heavy."

Exercise Toxic Dagger is now in its fifth year and is usually held amid tight security.