It doesn't take a genius to design a package that catches the eye of the beholder, is functional, imparts a message and encourages use. The United States Army, through a vendor that supplies a poison gas detection kit, violates each and every one of these rules.
To detect lewisite, a nerve gas, a kit is provided which when properly used will indicate the presence or absence of the gas and thus make judgement possible as to whether continued use of protective gear is advised. But before the user can arrive at a decision point, the kit mut be opened, the "chemistry" run and the color-coded result interperted.
Lets look at the problems, one by one and see just how bad the kit
actually is:
The kit: As expected is an olive drab pouch, on which instructions are
printed in small letters, difficult to read with out magnification. To
make matters worse, the printing is done in a just-lighter shade of the
same olive drab. Contrast is terrible.
The message: Side One, Sampler (Detection Kit M256)
GENERAL: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING SAMPLER.
A. Complete instructions are on plastic cards attached to case (note: not
present)
B. Procedural instructions, 1-14 are shown on side 2 of this bag.
C. Observational instructions showing safe and danger colors are on
enclosed sample.
TO OPEN BAG, TEAR ALONG ARROWS AT NOTCH
PROCEDURES
(note: tearing along arrows
destroys the pack and makes reading the instructions on the opposite side
almost impossible.)
CAUTION: 3. Remove sampler from bag and handler sampler by protective
strip to prevent touching or damaging test spots.
4. Remove, but KEEP, the two protective pads under heater. (note:
first mention of a heater, which I suppose is designed to accelerate the
test reaction.)
5. For temperatures below 50F follow procedures in the operator's
manual. (note: now we have an operator's manual)
6. Must have a watch available. Times critical to results.
(note: should have told us this in the first place. No watch, no reason
to do the test. This is the bottom of the page, but no instructions
on where to proceed, so most will turn the packet over.)
SIDE 2: OBSERVE ALL CAUTIONS STATED ON SIDE 1.
1. Protective strip should still cover spots.
2. Pull and discard tab #1 as pictured below to expose tablet. (note:
numbers are not printed or highlighted, only molded into the clear plastic
coverings and are almost impossible to read. Removing tab #1 reveals a
"tablet" and a vial containing an orange liquid.)
5. Rotate sampler so arrow is down< ). Force liquid to each spot with
right hand. (
(note:
ABOUT Joe Wortham