How to Deal With Tear

Gas

What is tear Gas

"Tear gas" is a term commonly used for a group of
chemicals , temporarily make people unable to function by
causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin.
The term "tear gas" comes from the immediate flow of tears
that typically follows exposure.

What is the Effects of Tear Gas?

Effects on Eyes

Eye irritation and extreme tearing. The tearing and irritation
are often so severe that people who have been exposed to
tear gas cannot see properly and might not be able to keep
their eyes open at all.


Swelling of eyes and eyelids.

Effects on Skin

Irritation of exposed skin, causing a burning
sensation and a rash.

Effects on Nose and Mouth

When tear gas is inhaled, it causes irritation of the mucous
membranes of the nose, throat and mouth.

This causes uncontrollable drooling, an extremely runny
nose, burning, itching and difficulty swallowing.

Effects on Lungs

Gas in the lungs will cause tightness in the chest, shortness
of breath, coughing, gagging and a choking sensation.

Other Effects

Prolonged exposure i.e. over an hour will
cause nausea and vomiting

Serious damage to the eyes such as glaucoma and blindness

Severe burns on the skin, throat and lungs which may lead to
death.

Other Effects

People who have heart conditions, asthma or other
breathing problems are especially susceptible to death from
tear gas exposure.

The deadly effects of tear gas would only occur following
exposure to a dosage several hundred times greater than the
amount of tear gas typically used by law enforcement
officials for crowd control.

Are There Any Long-Term Health Effects

of Tear Gas Exposure?

 The effects of tear gas are usually only temporary.

Symptoms typically go away within an hour after exposure
stops.

Effects on skin may take longer to improve.

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.

30 5

High Risk Conditions

People 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 lifethreatening responses.

List of Supplies That Should be Available

First aid kit

Water as much as you can carry.

WHAT TO WEAR

Comfortable, protective shoes that you can run in.

Clothing which covers most of your skin to protect from sun
and pepper spray exposure

Shatter-resistant eye protection ie: sunglasses, swim
goggles, or gas mask

Gas mask or goggles paired with a respirator or bandanna to
protect during chemical weapons deployment

WHAT TO WEAR

Heavy-duty gloves if you plan to handle hot tear gas
canisters,

Fresh clothes in plastic bag (in case yours get contaminated),
and

A cap or hat to protect you from the sun and from chemical
weapons

General Instructions

Don't put vaseline, mineral oil, oil-based sunscreen or
moisturizers on skin as they can trap chemicals.

Don't wear contact lenses, which can trap irritating
chemicals underneath.

Don't wear things which can easily be grabbed (i.e.: dangly
earrings or other jewelry, ties, loose hair)

What should I do if I'm exposed to tear gas?

Quickly leave the area where the tear gas was released and
get to fresh air.

Keep in mind that tear gas will form a heavy vapor cloud that
will settle close to the ground.

What should I do if I'm exposed to tear gas?

Remove your clothing as soon as possible and wash your entire
body with soap and water.

Clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the
body instead of pulled over the head.

If you are helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid
touching any contaminated areas.

When washing your clothes later, wash them separately from the
rest of your laundry

What should I do if I'm exposed to tear gas?

If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your
eyes with plain water for 10-15 minutes.
15-10
If you wear contacts, remove them; do not put the contacts
back in your eyes.

If you wear eyeglasses, wash them with soap and water; you
can put your eyeglasses back on after you wash them.

How is exposure to tear gas treated?

Eye symptoms are treated by rinsing the eyes with water
until the stinging starts to go away.

Burn injuries to the skin are treated with standard burn

management techniques, such as medicated bandages.

How is exposure to tear gas treated?

Treatment for breathing difficulties by giving more oxygen to
the victim. Medications that are used to treat asthma (such
as bronchodilators and steroids) may be used to help the
person breathe.

Treatments of the eyes and mouth

A solution of half liquid antacid (like Maalox) and half water
in a spray bottle is ideal but a bottle that has a squirt cap
works as well.

Always irrigate from the inside corner of the eye towards the
outside, with head tilted back and slightly towards the side
being rinsed.

Treatments of the eyes and mouth

It needs to get into the eye to help. This
means that if the sprayed person says it's
okay you should try to open their 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 the solution
does help. It works great as a mouth rinse
too.

Treatments of the skin

Carefully avoiding the eyes, vigorously wipe the skin that
was exposed to the chemical with a rag or gauze sponge
saturated with canola oil. Follow this immediately with a
rubbing of alcohol.

 Spitting, blowing your nose, coughing up mucous (you don't

want to swallow these chemicals!), walking around with
your arms outstretched, removing contaminated clothing,
and taking a cool shower.

Treatments of the skin

Until then, try not to touch your eyes or your face, or other
people, furniture, carpets etc. to avoid further
contamination.

Thank You