What to Wear
-comfortable, protective shoes that you can run in -clothing covering all your skin to protect from sun and pepper spray exposure.
-shatter-resistant eye protection (i.e. sunglasses, swim goggles,or
gas mask)
-zip-lock with bandana soaked in cider vinegar (water if nothingelse).
It can aid in breathing during chemical exposure
-weather-related gear (i.e. rain gear or sun hat)
-heavy-duty gloves if you plan to handle hot tear gas canisters
-fresh clothes in plastic bag (in case yours get contaminated by
chemical weapons)
-a cap or a hat to protect you from the sun and from chemicalweapons
What to Bring
-lots of water in a plastic bottle with sport-top, to drink and to
wash off your skin or eyes, if needed
-energy snacks
-identification and/or emergency contact information ONLY if you
want to be cited out of jail in the event of arrest
-just enough money for pay-phone, food, transportation
-watch, paper, pen for accurate documentation of events, police
brutality, injuries
-water- or alcohol-based sunscreen
-inhaler, epipen, insulin or other meds if applicable
-several days of prescription medication and doctor's note in case
of arrest
-menstrual pads, if needed. Avoid using tampons - if you're
arrested you may not have a chance to change it (tampons left in
more than six hours increase your risk of developing toxic shock
syndrome)
What not to do
-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).
-Don't go to the demo alone, if you can help it. It is best to go
with an affinity group or some friends who know you well.
-Don't forget to eat food and DRINK LOTS OF WATER.
Of Pepper Sprays and Tear Gas:
The first thing to remember about exposure to these chemical weapons
is that it is not the worst thing that could happen to you. The hype
and fear surrounding them is enormous, but in reality, if you are
careful and smart, you should survive it with little problem. This
information is the result of conversations with experts, pepper spray
trials done by the Black Cross, and our combined experiences of
treating thousands of people in various actions, including the WTO in
Seattle, and the IMF/WB in DC.
What They Are:
Tear gas (also called CS, CN, or CX) and pepper spray (OC) are chemical
compounds that are weapons designed to be used by the military and
police to disperse crowds and subdue individuals. They are mucous
membrane (the inside of your mouth and nose, among other places, are
ined with mucus membrane) and skin irritants. They are mixed with
solvents, and delivered through the use of propellants. Some people think
some of these can cause cancer, birth defects and genetic mutations.
In Seattle, one batch of tear gas contained methylene chloride, a highly
toxic solvent which can cause mental confusion, headache, tingling of the
limbs, rapid heartbeat, visual and auditory hallucinations, menstruation
cycle disruption, spontaneous abortion, and varying effects on lungs and
the digestive system.
How They Are Deployed:
Tear gas and pepper spray can be sprayed from small hand-held
dispensers or large fire-extinguisher size tanks. Tear gas is most
commonly deployed via canisters, which are fired into crowds,
sometimes directly at people. Don't pick up the canisters without
gloves as they are extremely hot. Be aware that the time it takes
you to throw it will allow you to be heavily exposed.
How They Affect You:
Both tear gas and pepper spray are skin irritants, causing burning
pain and excess drainage from eyes, nose, mouth and breathing passages.
Pepper spray is more popular with authorities as an agent of control
because of its immediate pain-causing qualities. It is harder to
remove from the skin and has the capacity to cause first degree burns.
If you are exposed to either,you may experience stinging, burning in
your eyes, nose, mouth and skin excessive tearing, causing your vision
to blur, runny nose, increased salivation, coughing and difficulty
breathing, disorientation, confusion and sometimes panic.
Some people report feeling intense anger. This can be useful if you are
prepared and able to focus it towards recovery and returning to the
action. The good news is that the effects are temporary. 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.
The effects of both diminish sooner with treatment. Because pepper
spray penetrates to the nerve endings, its effects may last for hours
after removal from the skin.
There are many myths about treatment and prevention. Much of this
misinformation is potentially dangerous. Some of it, if applied,
could greatly increase or prolong a person's reaction to exposure,
or at the very least provide a false sense of security.
Prevention:
For most healthy people, the effects of tear gas and pepper spray
are temporary. However, for some people the effects can be
long-lasting and life-threatening. People with the conditions
listed below should be aware of these risks and may want to try
and avoid exposure. Please be aware that intense actions,
police behavior can be unpredictable, and avoidance is not
always possible.Folks with respiratory diseases, such as asthma,
emphysema, 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.
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 (ie: severe acne, psoriasis, or eczema) and
eye(ie: conjunctivitis or uveitis) conditions risk an
intensified response. People wearing contact lenses may
experience increased eye irritation and damage due to
chemicals being trapped under the lenses.
Protection:
Avoid the use of oils and lotions because they seem to "trap"
the chemicals and thereby prolong exposure. We recommend using
a water or alcohol-based sunscreen (rather than oil-based). If
your choice is between oil-based or nothing, we advocate using
the sunscreen. Pepper spray on top of sunburn is not good. We
also recommend minimizing skin exposure by covering up as much
as possible. This can also protect you from the sun, as can a
hat. Gas masks provide the best facial protection,if properly
fitted and sealed. Alternatively, goggles (with shatter-proof
lenses), respirators, even a wet bandana over the nose and
mouth will help.
How to deal:
STAY CALM. Panicking increases the irritation. Breathe
slowly and remember it is only temporary. If you see it
coming or get a warning, put on protective gear, if able,
try to move away or get upwind. Blow your nose, rinse your
mouth, cough and spit. Try not to swallow. If you wear
contacts, try to remove the lenses or get someone to remove
them for you, with CLEAN, uncontaminated fingers. DO NOT RUB IT IN.
Remedies:
There are some things that you can do after being sprayed to help
minimize the discomfort. None of these are miracle cures: using
these remedies will help people to feel better faster, but it will
still take time.
For the eyes and mouth:
We recommend an eye flush using a solution of half liquid antacid
(Maalox) and half water.
A bottle with a squirt cap is ideal for the eye flush. Always
irrigate from the inside corner of the eye towards the outside,
with head tilted back and slightly towards the side being rinsed.
It needs to get into the eye to help. You may need to help open
the victims eye for them - they most likely wont be able willing
to open it themselves, and opening will cause a temporary increase
in pain, but it does help. This works great as a mouth rinse too,
as long as the victim is alert and breathing normally. Spit it
out after rinsing.
For the skin:
We recommend treating small areas at a time with MOFIBA (mineral
oil followed immediately by alcohol)Caution: in order to perform
this procedure correctly, you need to be trained. If done
improperly, harm can be done. Carefully avoid the eyes at all times.
Afterward, remove contaminated clothing and take a shower in the
coldest water you can stand. Wash your clothes with strong
detergents as soon as you are able. This shit is toxic, and will
continually contaminate you and everyone around you until you get
rid of it. Until then, try not to touch your eyes or your face,
or other people, furniture, carpets etc. to avoid further
contamination.
Remember, it is only temporary, and we are extremely strong.
(Taken from Black Rose Collective)
Some important telephone numbers:
Bersih police violation sms report: 013 2102002
Legal Aid: 03 26913005, 03 26932072, 03 55107007,
03 32812428
Legal Aid sms: 019 3255825 (Ravin), 0122841895 (Leena),
0163435202 (Stephanie), 019 6353151 (Jeeva)
Jabatan Undang Undang & Hak Asasi Manusia (JUHAM):
016 3126463, 016 3126473, 014 6451753, 012 2392879
Suaram: 03 77843525
No comments:
Post a Comment