Training aid

A method of making a training aid for detecting a biohazard, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a material that releases one or more analytes;
• preparing a substantially air-tight canister with a removable lid by:
• separating the lid from the canister;
• baking the separated lid and canister at 140° C.-160° C. for at least three hours;
• cooling the separated lid and canister;
• and
• sealing the lid to the canister until the canister is ready to receive a pre-polymer or the polymer layer;
• after the preparing step, positioning a polymer layer in proximity and physically separated from the material, wherein the one or more analytes are capable of release from the material and contact with the polymer layer, wherein the polymer layer is positioned in an inner volume defined by the canister;
• capturing the one or more analytes that contact the polymer layer to obtain an analyte-infused polymer layer;
• inactivating any agents on or in the analyte-infused polymer layer to render-safe the analyte-infused polymer layer;
• and
• storing the render-safe analyte-infused polymer layer in the substantially air-tight canister with the removable lid for subsequent use in training,
• thereby making the training aid for biohazard detection.

A method of making a training aid for detecting a biohazard, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a biological material that releases one or more analytes;
• inactivating the biological material by filtering any biological agents to remove any biological agents from the biological material
• without adversely impacting analyte detection so that the one or more analytes can be detected without harm;
• positioning a polymer layer in proximity and physically separated from the biological material, wherein the one or more analytes are capable of release from the biological material and contact with the polymer layer, wherein the filtered biological materials are prevented from contacting the polymer layer;
• capturing the one or more analytes that contact the polymer layer to obtain an analyte-infused polymer layer;
• and
• storing the render-safe analyte-infused polymer layer in a substantially air-tight canister with a removable lid for subsequent use in training;
• thereby making the training aid for biohazard detection.