I am soon to experience the joy of being OC sprayed, it's for work, and I'm terrified.
Are there things I can do before-hand that might minimize the effect on me?
2007-03-08 02:11:15 · 4 answers · asked by Juniper84 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
not talking from experiece, but this may help ...
....try to keep one hand away from the spray when it hits you (in a pocket or behind your back) so you at least have one hand to clear up the pepper instead of rubbing in the effects after the spraying stops.
Tears should help clear the eyes, and blinking.
2007-03-08 02:23:41 · answer #1 · answered by wizebloke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully, those spraying you will have a water hose available, possibly even 5-gallon buckets full of water. (Put your head down inside it, leaving eyes OPEN, then shake head to cleanse eyes. You may need to do this two or three times before being able to keep eyes open again.)
If ya can "cheat" a little and get away with it, try to close your eyes and take the hit in the top of the head (instead of on face). And hold your breath during the hit and for as long as practical after the hit. Then, if known clear, step laterally keeping eyes closed and still holding breath until you can get "out of the fog".
Unless you have to fight off a make-believe bad guy or some such, sit down promptly (so you don't lose balance and fall down.) And don't necessarily try to open your (involuntarily stuck-closed) eyes. Let the tears flow freely. And the snot - get the OC out and off of you ASAP.
At first, you may need to cough, but can't because you possibly can't get enough air into your lungs to be able to cough - for a while anyway. (A good reason not to back up into the fog.) Make up your mind in advance that you are not going to scream, moan, talk to the Lord, beg for Momma, etc. when the heat starts to set in on skin.
Copious amounts of water and Dawn dishwashing soap, at least a few years ago, was about the best way to clean up skin/neutralize the effects of the OC.
Take an extra shirt so you don't have to wear the "hot" one home. And, in shower(s) afterward, don't touch the privates until you've washed your hands with Dawn at least 3 times.
Good luck with it. It ain't all that bad. ;)
2007-03-08 10:56:03 · answer #2 · answered by Greybeard 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There isn't much that can "prepare" you or make it hurt less. It burns. Don't try washing it out of your eyes. Sit in front of a fan afterward.
2007-03-08 10:21:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shut your eyes and hold your breath........
2007-03-08 10:22:20 · answer #4 · answered by Doctor Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋