Feminist Global Resistance will be posting a series of articles on techniques and safety tips for activists.

Our next article is, “Dealing with Tear Gas (CN, CS, & OC)”, covers each type of tear gas agent, types of exposure and treatment, and the symptoms and effects of exposure.

To all activists, “dancing the streets”  requires a knowledge of what one may encounter during any action. Be prepared for any event and stay vigilant.  

If a riot or altercation ensues, get out and get out of the way.

If a comrade falls and is injured, be the first line of care. Help him/her out of the action zone and to a safe place, if possible. Stay with the injured person to assist with any immediate needs (Clearing gas from skin, mouth and eyes; Offering basic first aid, water) and help to keep the person calm. Ask someone to go for help from a street medic or any trained person. If necessary, call an EMT. 

Remember, we are in this together so together we help each other. 

Activism can be fun but it is serious business – take care of yourself and each other.

As always: Be prepared for confrontation and keep it safe out there!

 

 

Dealing with Tear Gas (CN, CS, & OC)

 

“Tear Gas” is a generic term for “irritant incapacitants” used, in aerosol forms, as “Riot Control Agents” used by law enforcement agencies as a “non-lethal option” for subduing combative and violent suspects, crowd control purposes (during civil disorder), and for alleviating siege and hostage situations. The aerosols incapacitate by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, nose, throat, lungs and skin.  Specific chemical agents are mixed with other agents to disburse liquid or powder forms of the chemical into the air then spread across large groups of people.  Tear gas may be used by police and/or counter-protestors against activists in order to disburse crowds, quell violence or deter movement.

The most commonly used forms are:

• chloroacetophenone (CN or “Mace”)
• o-chlorobenzylidene malonitrile (CS),
• oleoresin capsicum (OC,  “pepper spray” or the more potent form “bear spray”)

Tear gas and pepper spray can be deployed from small hand-held dispensers or large fire-extinguisher size tanks or deployed via canisters fired into crowds and sometimes directly at people. Pepper spray also comes in plastic projectiles (“pepper balls”) which when fired and hit, pepper powder explodes from the projectile.

Please note: DO NOT attempt to pick up a tear gas canister  – they are extremely hot and will produce severe burns on the hands. Also, be aware that, even with gloves, it is difficult to pick up a cannister and throw it before it deploys. If one lands nearby, get away from it.

 

Effects of Exposure to Tear Gas

Always remember that exposure to these chemical weapons is painful and creates severe irritation to all exposed areas (skin, eyes, nose, mouth), as well is your lungs and throat.  Be prepared  and be smart about caring for one’s self and others if confronted with tear gas an projectiles.

The effects all these irritants are burning pain to all exposed areas, breathing issues, excessive drainage from all mucus membranes  and nausea.  These may be temporary but can be extremely severe for some people or depending on the level of exposure or repeated exposure.

People exposed to tear gas may experience some or all of the following symptoms immediately after exposure:

• Eyes: excessive tearing, burning, blurred vision, redness
• Nose: runny nose, burning, swelling
• Mouth: burning, irritation, difficulty swallowing, drooling
• Lungs: chest tightness, coughing, choking sensation, noisy breathing (wheezing), shortness of breath
• Skin: burns, rash
• Other: nausea and vomiting

Other reported effects include panic caused by tear gas exposure can lead to feelings of disorientation, confusion, and even intense anger.

According to the CDC:

Long-lasting exposure or exposure to a large dose of riot control agent, especially in a closed setting, may cause severe effects such as the following:

• • Blindness
  • Glaucoma (a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness)
  • Immediate death due to severe chemical burns to the throat and lungs
  • Respiratory failure possibly resulting in death

Long-term health effects of exposure to riot control agents

• • Prolonged exposure, especially in an enclosed area, may lead to long-term effects such as eye problems including scarring, glaucoma, and cataracts, and may possibly cause breathing problems such as asthma.
  • If symptoms go away soon after a person is removed from exposure to riot control agents, long-term health effects are unlikely to occur.

 

Anyone with the following medical conditions should be aware of the risks and may want to avoid entering crowds where there is a heightened risk of exposure. Please be aware that in intense actions, police behavior and the behavior of counter-protestors can be unpredictable so avoidance is not always possible.

• Folks with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, etc. risk exacerbation, or 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.
• Anyone with a chronic heart condition (Heart disease, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, heart failure)
• 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 conditions (ie: severe acne, psoriasis, or eczema) and eye conditions (i.e.: conjunctivitis or uveitis) risk an intensified response.
• People wearing contact lenses may experience increased eye irritation and damage due to chemicals being trapped under the lenses.

 

Tear Gas Self Protection and Decontamination

Any activist planning to attend any action should be prepared for the possibility of tear gas exposure.

The police are not the only people to use tear gas on activists. Activists have been met with pepper spray or bear spray in the hands of counter-protestors attempting to deter or disrupt marches, rallies or occupations.

All activists should:

• Carry or wear protective, shatter resistant eye wear (preferably goggles);
• Remove any contact lenses;
• Avoid the use of any oil based products on the skin to include lotions, body oils, ointments, and soaps;
• Bathe and wash hair before the action again avoiding any product that will leave oils on skin or hair;
• Avoid wearing make-up;
• Apply sunscreen only to prevent sunburn that could be exasperated by contact with tear gas;
• Carry at least one bottle of clean water;
• Carry an extra change of clothing;
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, boots (or other shoes that are comfortable and protective), hats or any head covering (keffiyehs or shemaghs – learn more about wearing/tying a Keffiyeh here );
• Wear face masks (N95s or KN95s are the best but if not available, multiple layers of medical/surgical masks fit closely to the face or a gas mask, properly fitted), bandanas (in layers), or any scarf that can protect the area between the eyes and chin;
• And carry an emergency inhaler (either prescription or one of the effective over the counter asthma inhalers).

If one is exposed to tear gas (from Physician’s for Human Right, aka, PHR)

• What to do immediately

• • Get out of the cloud of tear gas and away from the general area as soon as you can. Seek high ground, as most forms of tear gas are heavy; the closer you are to the ground, the higher the concentration of gas.
  • Walk, don’t run. Running may cause you to breath more heavily, filling your lungs with more tear gas. Try to keep your breathing even.
  • If your eyes have been exposed and are burning or blurry, flush them with water immediately. Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Use water from your water bottle to flush. If you can find an open drinking fountain or sink in a public restroom, flush your eyes with water for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • There is no evidence that baking soda or milk is better than cool water alone. There is one small randomized controlled trial that found that baby shampoo is no better than water. Using baby wipes or makeup wipes if water is not immediately available may cause increased irritation.
  • If possible, and you are not affected yourself, help others by moving them to a clean and ventilated area.
  • Do not try to remove the tear gas canisters, as doing so may put you at an increased risk for further harm and injury.

• How to further get rid of the chemical irritant:

• • Change your clothes as soon as possible. Rinse your body as soon as you get to a location with a shower. Take off your shoes outside your home to keep them from bringing any powder indoors.
  • Shed all the clothes you were wearing and hang them in an open, ventilated area for at least 48 hours before washing them. If you are not able to keep them in an open place, story them in a sealed bag until they are ready to be washed. Do not mix them with uncontaminated garments, as CS powder can be active for as long as five days after being released.
  • Take a cold shower for at least 20 minutes to prevent the chemicals from irritating your skin any further. Do your best not to breathe in more tear gas during the shower, and keep your eyes closed. Wash your hair especially well.
  • If you’re still having symptoms 30 minutes or so after getting all the agents off, are having eye or lung issues, or are at all concerned about your exposure, seek medical care.

 

Stay safe!

Love and solidarity!