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Tear gas is often used to control crowds, disperse riots and subdue individuals. It has been used so often that tear gas is synonymous with protest crowd control.
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With Bersih 4 approaching this weekend, we're going to take a look at the do's and don'ts when dealing with tear gas. But before that, we have to understand how does tear gas works.
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There are three forms of tear gas: CS (chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile), CN (chloroacetophenone) and pepper spray
Despite its name, tear gas is a form of aerosol, not gas. CS is solid at room temperature, it breaks down when combined with liquid agents.
So, what does it do?
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Now that we've given you a quick lowdown on the types of tear gas and its properties, here are some do's and don'ts if you are ever caught in the thick of it, especially with Bersih 4 coming up this weekend
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First, we'll talk about the things you should do when you're hit with tear gas, following these instructions can help keep you and the people around you safe and make it as painless as possible
1. Hold your breath and close your eyes if possible
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2. Get out of the area and move to higher ground
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3. Quickly cover your mouth with a cloth soaked with vinegar, goggles or a gas mask
The best defense against tear gas is a gas mask, but if you don't have a mask there are still steps you can take to minimize damage from tear gas.
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4. Take off your contact lens and glasses immediately if you're wearing either
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Try to remove the lenses or get someone to remove them for you, with clean, uncontaminated fingers. If possible, avoid wearing contact lens.
5. Air out your clothes
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6. Rinse any exposed skin with cold water and soap
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This is extremely important – wash your hands. This will ensure you do not recontaminate your eyes and face and will prevent you from contaminating other people with whom you come into contact. Also, avoid using hot or warm water to wash down because it'll open up skin pores, allowing more chemicals to sink through your skin.
7. Rinse your eyes with a LOT of water
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Some people have claimed that pouring milk and milky substances helps relieve the effects of tear gas as well, although it's not scientifically proven
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Finding yourself in the middle of a tear gas is pretty horrible, but some of these actions could make things worse for yourself and the people around you. Here are some of the things you shouldn't do in an event of exposure to tear gas.
1. Do not hold or pick up a tear gas canister
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Tear gas grenades often explode in the air, delivering a metal container which will spew gas. This container will be **hot**, so do not touch it. Do not pick up an unexploded tear gas canister, since it could explode and cause injury.
2. Do not make any physical contact with your hands
As mentioned earlier, your hands will be full of tear gas. So, always keep your hands to yourself. If you need to attend to someone, make sure you wear a pair of gloves, or wash your hands clean.
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3. Do not remove your clothes
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Minimise skin exposure by covering up as much as possible. Any exposed skin will only cause more irritation and pain to your body.
