What is 'first aid for being 'pepper sprayed?

Question

Read in some magazine about someone being 'pepper sprayed and wonder what do you do for it? or does it go away by itself?

Answer 1

I am actually certified in pepper spray usage and I know for a fact the do's and don'ts. The first thing you should do is rinse away all of the external fluids from your face then let it dry. I repeat let it dry. Did you know that pepper spray gets reactivated when wet? Mace on the other hand is mostly chemicals and will wash away quick but, pepper spray is different. It will have you gagging and delirious with pain until it dries up. I recommend that you don't shower till completely removed because when it hits your privates you'll be worst off then ever. It happened to me when I got home and showered imagine if a male makes the same mistake.

Answer 2

If you are accidentally sprayed, or if someone else is sprayed accidentally, the following are some first aid procedures that may help:
Avoid panic.
Do not rub the face. This will aggravate the pain already being experienced.
The best immediate treatment is to expose the person to fresh air, a breeze if possible. A fan can also be used.

Flush the affected area with cool water either from the tap or a garden hose.
Clean the affected area with non-oil or cold cream based soap. Do not use salves or greases on exposed area because it will trap tear gas particles or OC resin onto the skin.
If eyes are exposed, flush copiously with cool, fresh water for 15 minutes.
If you wear contact lenses, remove them carefully once hands are thoroughly clean.
An ophthalmic examination should be performed by a physician if irritation or pain persists after 15 minutes of flushing with water.
Clothing which is contaminated with tear gas should be removed immediately and, if indoors, placed in a sealed plastic bag or container.
Persons assisting the subject should wear rubber gloves to avoid residual contamination.
If any irritation or pain persists after decontamination procedures, a physician should examine the exposed area.

Answer 3

The BEST first aid is to soak the affected person/area with milk. Really. I am an ER nurse and this is truly what we do. The alkaline in the milk neutralizes the acids in the pepper spray. (well, obviously not the eyes, they should be flushed with water)

Answer 4

Nothing really helps besides cold water - also the tighter you close your eyes the more it stings - you MUST keep your eyes open - even if you have to force them.........

before becoming a police officer - you must get sprayed with pepper spray.

Answer 5

LOTS of water.

Basically it needs to be flushed off the skin and from the eyes and any other mucous membranes it has come into contact with.

Answer 6

milk bath to body after shower; constant flushing of eyes with saline for 30 minutes. go to an ER.

Answer 7

I would think rinsing eyes w/ water might help.