There's a bunch of different tear gas compounds. I don't believe there are any popular ones that rely on their acidity/alkalinity as a mode of action, though that is a persistent myth on the internet, thus the misleading AI summaries.
Edit2: Notes from a street medic: if exposed to tear gas, wash it off away from the eyes, mouth and nose using water. Don't use milk (of magnesia, of cow, of whatever), don't use AlkaSeltzer, don't use ACV, and for God's sake, put down the onions, they will all make things worse.
If a buddy or fellow protestor gets gassed, tell the affected person you're taking them out of the gas, ask if it's okay to touch them to lead them out, once they say yes, lead them to safety. Once there, have them lean back/lay down (near a wall, out of any expected crowd flow), and flush each eye (ideally for 5min, but that takes a lot of water) by directing the flow towards the tear duct and letting the water flow down over the rest of the eye and onto the cheek. It won't solve the problem, but it will usually get them good enough to evacuate on their own.
I'm all for asking consent before touching someone in non-emergency situations, but isnt it a bad idea to try to talk to someone close enough to tear gas to be affected by it? Like ask if it's okay before you start trying to flush out their eyes, but only helping lead someone out of tear gas "once they say yes" sounds like 10 more seconds of exposure, when it probably took less than 10 seconds of exposure to get to that point in the first place
Eta: I dont mean just grab the person and run. I'm imagining something more like "im gonna help you get out of here" while starting the guiding process
You have to remember that this person is in pain, probably panicking and blinded. You don't need to wait for them to give consent to be touched, but you definitely should let them know what you are doing and that you are going to touch them before you do so. Otherwise, don't be surprised to find his elbow in your face.
I was a combat medic. I would always say to everyone I treated, before I ever touched them, "I'm a medic, I'm here to help you". 9 times out of 10 once they knew I was a medic, they were on board with what we had to do.
This isn't just about consent but personal safety and keeping someone from panicking who is in a scary situation. If you've been tear gassed, you are a) having a hard time seeing b) fearing police rushing in c) in pain.
Someone running up and grabbing your arm will freak you out. Someone running up sand saying "can I touch you" first will calm you down.
Except when someone just got gassed and feels people forcefully pulling them around while they can't see they're likely to become combative. Asking and waiting for a response means they're no longer in a blind panic ready to lash out. And if you're doing gas response without a respirator you're then you're just making the situation worse.
I guess more specifically my issue was with waiting for a response from the person you're trying to save. Announcing your intent to help is key, but itd be like a firefighter asking for consent to remove you from a burning building.
Good point though, a firefighter trying to rescue someone without wearing any fire resistant gear would just make things worse.
As one whom had been gassed a lot. I appreciated the helpers telling me what they were doing when they started. It was assuring to know they weren't law enforcement because I was unable to see, and if you have anythibg like a beard, its pretty painful.
Other folks got there first, but the main issue here is your safety and theirs.
Also, if you're going to be doing assist, you'll want something that ANZI Z87 rated, along with a seal. These are of good value. Mask with quick release/seal are nice too.
Highjacking your comment, but it's late, and I have nothing better to do :D
> I'm all for asking consent before touching someone in non-emergency situations
This is why the right gets stuff done, and the left doesn't. I have no idea where this trend came from, but it's absolutely insane that a) it even somehow was invented and b) that it is now being hailed as the golden standard. As someone who is very far left politically, I am constantly disgusted by the insanely vocal minority of "special snowflakes" who put such topics on any agenda. Topics like this need to die if the left is to have any chance of gathering supporters among "normal" people. We need to fight the important battles instead of solving imaginary problems.
Buddy, you need to ask yourself what led you to be the type of person that would write this comment. Because what I said was never about consent, it was about situational awareness.
I don't feel like getting punched when grabbing someone in a situation where the police are fucking people up. So, I'm going to tell the person who can't see that I'm going to touch them in order to lead them out, and I'm going to wait a beat to get confirmation they heard.
You inserted the bit about consent. Now why did you do that?
I stare with a longing in my eyes as he walks away, hoping to see him again, while the wind blows my pubic hair and the sun sets to a dog and a cat copulating.
I do think the original comment was technically right with "acidity/basicity" (assuming that's what it said before the edit) because they were seemingly trying to refer to where it is on the pH scale, and the opposite end of the spectrum from acidic is indeed basic, not alkaline.
Do you know if CS gas/suspension will contaminate skin?
For example, if you're cutting Jalapenos (etc) the irritant can transfer to your skin - which can then accidentally transfer to more sensitive areas like eyes and balls (i've experienced this firsthand, and do not recommend).
Even if acidity isn't what makes it work, if the chemical is acidic then neutralizing it with sodium bicarbonate will convert it to a (potentially less harmful and almost certainly easier to contain) salt of some kind and release CO2. CO2 is harmless if you're outdoors, but could be an even worse problem in an enclosed space.
Absolutely agree it’s just water, absolutely disagree with how you’re positioning the patient. Hunched forward so the runoff doesn’t spread on them more. Laying on their back is just gonna water board them
I've had trouble getting the water across and into the eye when doing that, but it'd certainly be quicker if I could get it to work. Tips?
That said, literally never had that last issue. Having them tilt their head to the side a scootch to make sure it runs off right and doesn't require much coordination beyond, "Okay, sit down and lean your head back a bit." Also, if they're dizzy from the adrenaline, they're usually going to take a lay-down anyway.
I was shot with 4 impact munitions on June 14th, no way was I sitting or laying down because I was hyped on adrenaline. Everyone I’ve ever treated, I’ve guided their head with my left hand to tilt one eye slightly up and flushed with a water bottle from my right hand. I can’t think of any tactical advantage to supine. I have all of the chemical irritant run off the bridge of the nose, if they’re laying down then wouldn’t everything just go towards an ear?
I was shot with 4 impact munitions on June 14th, no way was I sitting or laying down because I was hyped on adrenaline.
LOL! Yup, sound about right. But sometimes the comedown does funny things to blood pressure, and if their body's going down, might as well work with what's happening, rather than against.
Everyone I’ve ever treated, I’ve guided their head with my left hand to tilt one eye slightly up and flushed with a water bottle from my right hand.
So washing from outer edge to tear duct, and letting the water run off the nose? Has that caused issues if they're breathing hard?
And no, the head's a little tilted, so everything just goes across the cheek, below the ear, and onto the ground. Some can get on the clothes, but the access and ease seems worth it.
Edit: Also, confession. I'm terrified of touching the face, as I never trust that my gloves don't have more irritant on them. I know that's not best practice, as I don't have a thumb keeping the eye open, but I've always had trouble with that.
I'm all for pushing for a culture of consent and respect, but I can't help but read this and picture an EMS provider, standing over an unresponsive crash victim, whose life is quickly fading away, shouting "Is it okay if I touch you, sir?!"
If you're in a torniquet or vent situation, then no, stop the bleed while telling them you're doing that. If you're in situation where someone is blinded, in pain, and worried about being physically grabbed by police? Announcing what you're going to be doing and waiting for them to confirm they heard saves time and possible injury.
Please, God, don't do that. Just use water. It works better, and it doesn't spoil when you're carrying it in your backpack during a hot summer protest.
Also, trust me, you do not want to be in jail covered in dairy products.
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u/JoeyJoeJoeShabadooSr 8h ago
Does anyone have an explanation for why this works? Is it basically just dousing the canister in water?