These are genuine British DPM camouflage surplus chemical suits. These suits are packaged in vacuum and pressure-packed sealed plastic bags. These have metric sizes that have been converted to US sizing for your convenience.

It is intended that the protective suit should be worn over normal clothing. In addition to providing protection against toxic agents in both liquid and vapour form, the suit is also self-decontaminating by encouraging rapid evaporation. Furthermore, by virtue of its flame retardancy, it offers a high level of protection not only against conventional fire, but also against the thermal pulse resulting from a nuclear burst.

The British Chemical Suit consists of two pieces: smock and trousers. The complete suit is constructed from two layers. The outer material is made of monacrylic fibres reinforced with polyamide fibres. It has a strong, hard-wearing outside surface. A silicone treatment is applied to make the garments shower-proof, and to permit rapid spreading of liquid chemicals, which in turn speeds up evaporation. This reduces the loading on the second layer, whose main function is to act as chemical barrier.

The inner fabric is based on activated charcoal as a means of protection against toxic gases and vapours. It is bonded to a non-woven fabric, which is flame retardant. A fluorocarbon finish is applied as an oil repellent, thus acting as a further barrier to toxic liquids. This combination of repellents represents a chemical barrier which is highly efficient, yet air permeable and thus imposes low heat stress. This liquid control system formed by a wicking layer over an oil-repellent layer permits the incorporation of less charcoal than in other systems, which in turn results in a lighter garment and smaller package size.

The life of the suit in operations depends on the level of attack. In most situations it can be worn for up to a month and still offer protection to the wearer. Under extreme conditions of multiple attacks it may be necessary to change the suit after 24 hours.