First Aid for Radicals and Activists
Fight the power, do no harm
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/chemweapons.html
Pepper Spray and Tear Gas - things to remember:
The first thing to remember about exposure to these chemical weapons is that it is not the worst thing that could happen to you. The hype and fear surrounding them is enormous, but in reality, if you are careful and smart, you should survive it with little problem.
The second thing to remember about exposure to these chemical weapons is that it is only temporary, and we are extremely strong.
The third thing to remember about exposure to these chemical weapons is that there are many myths about treatment and prevention. Much of this misinformation is potentially dangerous. Some of it, if applied, could greatly increase or prolong a person's reaction to exposure, or at the very least provide a false sense of security.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/what-they-are.html
What They Are:
Tear gas (also called CS, CN, or CX) and pepper spray (OC) are chemical compounds that are weapons designed to be used by the military and police to disperse crowds and subdue individuals. They are mucous membrane (the inside of your mouth and nose, among other places, are lined with mucus membrane) and skin irritants. They are mixed with solvents, and delivered through the use of propellants. Some people think some of these can cause cancer, birth defects and genetic mutations. In Seattle, one batch of tear gas contained methylene chloride, a highly toxic solvent which can cause mental confusion, headache, tingling of the limbs, rapid heartbeat, visual and auditory hallucinations, menstruation cycle disruption, spontaneous abortion, and varying effects on lungs and the digestive system.
How They Are Deployed:
Tear gas and pepper spray can be sprayed from small hand-held dispensers or large fire-extinguisher size tanks. Tear gas is most commonly deployed via canisters, which are fired into crowds, sometimes directly at people. Don't pick up the canisters without gloves as they are extremely hot. Be aware that the time it takes you to throw it will allow you to be heavily exposed.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/affects.html
Pepper Spray & Tear Gas - How They Affect You:
Both tear gas and pepper spray are skin irritants, causing burning pain and excess drainage from eyes, nose, mouth and breathing passages. Pepper spray is more popular with authorities as an agent of control because of its immediate pain-causing qualities. It is harder to remove from the skin and has the capacity to cause first degree burns. If you are exposed to either, you may experience:
* stinging, burning in your eyes, nose, mouth and skin
* excessive tearing, causing your vision to blur
* runny nose
* increased salivation
* coughing and difficulty breathing
* disorientation, confusion and sometimes panic
* Some people report feeling intense anger. This can be useful if you are prepared and able to focus it towards recovery and returning to the action.
The good news is that the effects are temporary. Discomfort from tear gas usually disappears after 5-30 minutes, while the worst pepper spray discomfort may take 20 minutes to 2 hours to subside. The effects of both diminish sooner with treatment. Because pepper spray penetrates to the nerve endings, its effects may last for hours after removal from the skin.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/who-should-avoid.html
Who should avoid exposure?
For most healthy people, the effects of tear gas and pepper spray are temporary. However, for some people the effects can be long-lasting and life-threatening. People with the conditions listed below should be aware of these risks and may want to try and avoid exposure. Please be aware that in intense actions, police behavior can be unpredictable, and avoidance is not always possible.
* Folks with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, etc. risk exacerbation, permanent damage if exposed.
* Vulnerable people such as infants, the elderly, and the immune compromised, risk intensified and possibly life-threatening responses.
* Anyone with chronic health conditions or those on medications that weaken the immune system, (ie: chemotherapy, Lupus, HIV, radiation, or long-term corticosteroids such as prednisone) risk exacerbation of illness, intensified response and possible delayed recovery.
* Women who are or could be pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant may be at risk of spontaneous abortion or increased risk of birth defects.
* Nursing mothers risk passing toxins on to their infant.
* Folks with skin (ie: severe acne, psoriasis, or eczema) and eye (ie: conjunctivitis or uveitis) conditions risk an intensified response.
* People wearing contact lenses may experience increased eye irritation and damage due to chemicals being trapped under the lenses.
* Be aware of positional asphyxia - almost all pepper spray related deaths occur when the victim has been hogtied and placed face-down.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/protection.html
Beforehand - Protecting Yourself:
* Avoid use of oils and lotions because they can trap the chemicals and thereby prolong exposure.
* We recommend using a water or alcohol-based sunscreen (rather than oil-based). If your choice is between oil-based or nothing, we advocate using the sunscreen. Pepper sprayed on top of sunburn is not good.
* We also recommend minimizing skin exposure by covering up as much as possible. This can also protect you from the sun. Don't forget a hat.
* Gas masks provide the best facial protection, if properly fitted and sealed. Alternatively, goggles (with shatter-proof lenses), respirators, even a wet bandana over the nose and mouth will help.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/gasmasks.html
Gas Masks
The best protection against chemical weapons is a gas mask.
There are several important factors to consider when looking for a gas mask. Shatter-proof lenses are important. For convenience, look for a mask that uses standard NATO filters. Try it on to check for limited visibility, comfort, ease of use, etc. and be sure to practice with it before you're in the streets fumbling with unfamiliar straps.
In the past Black Cross has recommended the Israeli gas mask as a good choice based on its price, use of NATO filters, good fit, etc. The lenses will shatter on the Israeli gas mask, so we no longer recommend them. More information about gas masks from the Masquerade Project.
When paired with goggles, respirators make an excellent alternative to gas masks. It is necessary to do some homework beforehand and find goggles that don't fog up and that fit tightly on your face with the respirator. Respirators can be purchased at safety supply stores. Ask for filters for organic chemicals, and tell the clerk what you're filtering to doublecheck. Costs between $18-24.
A bandana soaked in apple cider vinegar (2nd choice is water) and tied tightly around the nose and mouth is a last resort. It is far better than nothing, but is not going to do much for long-term protection, and multiple uses will render it as gassy as the air around you.
Shatterproof swim goggles work reasonably well to protect against pepper spray exposure. Most goggles have air holes to prevent fogging - fill these with epoxy. Covering the holes with duct tape can work against an initial attack, though not for long term protection. Try them on with your respirator or bandana to ensure that they are compatible. Note that swim goggles generally do not provide an adequate seal against tear gas.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/how-to-deal.html
During: how to deal:
* STAY CALM. Panicking increases the irritation. Breathe slowly and remember it is only temporary.
* If you see it coming or get a warning (e.g. police are putting gasmasks on), put on protective gear. If able, try to move away or get upwind.
* Blow your nose, rinse your mouth, cough and spit. Try not to swallow.
* If you wear contacts, you must remove the lenses or get someone to remove them for you, with CLEAN, uncontaminated fingers. Destroy the lenses after exposure, they are not cleanable.
* DO NOT RUB IT IN.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/remedies.html
Remedies:
We have been doing trials with pepper spray to find good remedies. There are some definite things that you can do after being sprayed to help minimize the discomfort. None of these are miracle cures: using these remedies will help people to feel better faster, but it will still take time.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/remedies2.html
OC Trial recommendations for pepper spray in the eyes and mouth:
We recommend an eye flush using a solution of half liquid antacid and half water. This only applies to aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide based antacids such as Maalox (plain or mint). Please note that we have NOT used simethicone based antacids in the trials so far, and therefore we do not recommend them.
The action-medical community has come to refer to this remedy by the acronym "LAW" (liquid antacid and water), but not all action medical folks use the same protocol we do.
A bottle with a squirt cap is ideal for the eyeflush. Always irrigate from the inside corner of the eye towards the outside, with head tilted back and slightly towards the side being rinsed. It needs to get into the eye to help. You may need to help open the victims' eye for them - they most likely won't be able/ willing to open it themselves, and opening will cause a temporary increase in pain, but it does help.
This works great as a mouth rinse too, as long as the victim is alert and able to manage her/his own airway.
During cold weather, do your best to keep yourself and the victim dry.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/remedies3a.html
For pepper spray on the skin:
We recommend cleaning the affected area with mineral oil followed immediately by rubbing alcohol. The action medical community refers to this procedure by the acronym "MOFIBA"
It is important to work only on small, manageable areas of the body. If the mineral oil remains on the victim's skin for too long (30 seconds or so) the pain can worsen and burns can begin to form. Do not begin the procedure unless you are sure you have enought time to finish (ie, the scene is safe).
Wet a 4x4 pad (non-sterile) or similar material with mineral oil. Carefully avoiding the eyes, thoroughly rub a small area of exposed skin with mineral oil. (You can use any vegetable oil in a pinch).
Quickly wet another 4x4 pad with rubbing alcohol, and vigorously rub off the mineral oil. Be extremely careful around the eyes. Fold the gauze as you use it, so that you are always using a non-contaminated part of the gauze.
Again, be careful to fully complete this procedure with each victim - mineral oil left on the skin may act to bind any additional pepper spray and cause the victim unnecessary pain.
http://www.blackcrosscollective.org/remedies4.html
Secondary treatments:
Secondary treatments can include: walking around with your arms outstretched, removing contaminated clothing, and taking a cool shower.
In fact, it is essential to shower and wash your clothes as soon as you are able. This shit is toxic, and will continually contaminate you and everyone around you until you get rid of it. Until then, try not to touch your eyes or your face, or other people, furniture, carpets etc. to avoid further contamination. Shower using the coldest water you can stand (to keep your pores from opening). Wash your clothes using strong detergents.
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