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 is that the pain 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.

What they are, and how they are deployed
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.

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.

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 tear gas or pepper spray, 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.

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.

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.

More information on gas masks and goggles.

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.

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.

Remedy for the eyes, nose, and mouth

Remedy for the skin

Secondary treatments