guard. on coast, another weapon in the arsenal, this specially signed barrier to save the island from ecological disaster. so it's like a giant strainer, so to speak? >> actually, it's the world's oil-water separator. >> reporter: dan kuhns battle strategy depends on this. >> as the oil passes into the basket, it will come in contact with the polymers and turn it into a solid. >> reporter: here's how it works. >> let me show you. these packs are dissolvable. these were not hurt animals, people. that's all there is to it. >> reporter: it sounds easy enough. it's. >> it's very simple, it's the first time it's been tried. the way we've got it designed. >> reporter: dan's army states the mission. the national guard carries it