In our previous post I mentioned having a separate guide for protection against teargas. There are a lot of misconceptions going around and I wanted to post this information in its entirety. Everything below is pulled directly from the International News Safety Institute, they provide a lot of other resources that seem interesting to check out.
Protecting yourself from tear gas
Security forces are legally allowed to use tear gas for crowd control, but there are strict international guidelines around its use and the way it can be deployed against civilians for crowd control.
Journalists covering demonstrations should be aware of the effects of tear gas and how to respond when affected.
How does tear gas work?
Typical RCAs (Riot Control Agents) such as tear gas are delivered by either a spray or a grenade canister fired from a baton gun. The canisters themselves can be hazardous as they usually generate a lot of heat and will cause nasty burns if handled. If they are fired at close range, they can cause serious damage to a person’s body and have resulted in death.
When chemicals used in tear gas react with moisture they cause a burning sensation, meaning that the eyes, skin and lungs are extremely susceptible. Oil-based creams, sunscreens and make-up will also absorb tear gas, so avoid wearing these when covering protests where it might be used.
Tear gas attacks the lungs, so if you suffer from any respiratory diseases, including asthma, you should seriously consider the potentially dangerous effects this may have on your condition.
Streaming and burning of eyelids and throat as well as excessive coughing are all reactions to tear gas. An excess of mucus coming from the nose, eyelids and throat is also common. People often report that they feel disorientated and dizzy just after breathing it in.
The effects usually wear off within an hour, although the feeling of burning and highly irritated skin may persist for hours.
How to protect yourself
A gas mask (often called a respirator) is the best tool to protect yourself. They are not cheap, but they'll allow you to cover the story safely. They are subject to export licences in some countries, so ensure you have the correct paperwork to travel with them.
A gas mask consists of a rubber mask with a canister and filter fitted to the side. It is fitted to the size and shape of your face, and you should not assume that yours will fit someone else. Ensure you have a spare canister, as they do need changing after several hours (this depends on the make and model of the gas mask as well as how long it has been used).
If you already have a gas mask, make sure it is working properly and is correctly fitted. Any masks purchased online or in military surplus stores should be checked by an expert to ensure they work correctly.
The next best thing after a gas mask is an escape hood, which is cheaper and is not subject to the same export rules.
You can also use a builder's respirator that covers your nose and mouth – but make sure that you use appropriate filters. Failing that, adust mask for DIY and building and airtight goggles will provide some degree of protection.
Myths and misconceptions
Sometimes, it's hard to see through the myths surrounding tear gas protection. Reports, photographs and videos show protesters using improvised methods to counter the crippling effects, including tying plastic bottle and even bras to their faces. While they make for an amusing photo, these are not effective ways of countering this non-lethal chemical weapon.
INSI spoke to chemical weapons experts SecureBio about other homemade methods, which should be avoided.
1. Soaking a bandana or cloth in apple cider vinegar and tightly covering your mouth with it
The acid contained in the vinegar does not provide enough, if any, protection to counter the effects of tear gas.
2. Smearing lime or lemon juice on the inside of a cloth and tightly covering your mouth with it
This supposedly works on the same principal as the apple cider vinegar, but again should be avoided.
3. Soaking a bandana in water and tightly covering your mouth with it
Many RCAs come in the form of crystals, which react with water. Using small amounts of water (such as a wet handkerchief) immediately after exposure to CS gas is likely to reactivate these crystals and may prolong the effects.
3. Smashing up charcoal, lining a wet bandana with the dust, and tightly covering your nose and mouth with it
The charcoal supposedly filters out CS gas, but there is no evidence to support this.
4. Smearing toothpaste under your eyes
As RCAs and toothpastes are made up from a wide range of chemicals, using various manufacturing methods, it is nearly impossible to accurately predict the reactions that would take place.
5. Sniffing a freshly cut onion
Breaking an onion in half, sniffing it and getting it close to your eyes does not reduce the irritation, and it is likely to make you cry just as it does when you are peeling it.
What to do if you get tear gassed
If you have a gas mask, or a mask and goggles, put them on. You may then be able to continue working in the gas. Be aware that you will still need to wash yourself and all clothes as the gas will remain on you, your clothes and your equipment.
If you have no protection, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or cloth or use the inside of your coat to protect your airway (the outside of your jacket is likely to be contaminated).
Stand in the fresh air and allow the breeze to carry away the CS gas.
Keeping your arms outstretched which will help CS gas to come off your clothing.
Try to get to high ground – most RCAs are heavier than air, so the highest concentrations tend to sit nearer to the ground.
Remember that the gas will impregnate clothing for many months, so any clothing that may have been contaminated should be immediately washed several times or discarded.
Any exposed skin should be washed with soap and water. Shower first in cold water, then warm water. Do not bathe.
Don't rub your eyes or face, or this will reactivate any crystals.
Given the recent events in Charlottesville, VA and the international solidarity rallys that are already underway, now is a good time to take a step away from the Conquest of Bread project and talk about protesting. There are steps both before and during that can improve both the success and therefore the safety of the protest for those who are showing up to demonstrate. The best way to do this is to be prepared for anything.
When you're attending a mass demonstration, you cannot control who shows up. Some people may use more aggressive tactics than you would for productive means, and others may show up with more chaotic destruction in mind. Many world power governments have a documented history of intentionally causing disruption and even violence (which in this blog is defined as harm against living beings) but going into the history of agent provocateurs is for another post. However, even with the calmest of demonstrationsthe police may use excessive force in many different forms, and it's important to be prepared.
Most demonstrations I've personally been to, I haven't needed most of these supplies. The aim is to be prepared for anything.
Knowledge of Your Rights: If the police detain you and ask you for your ID do you have to show them? If you're stopped for a Stop and Frisk do you have to comply? These answers vary not only country to country, but state by state. Unfortunately I cannot write a step by step guide for this because of variations in laws by country and state, but be thorough in researching the law and what your rights are where you plan on protesting. Take extra caution if you are an immigrant there, regardless of your legal status.
Two Sets of Nondescript Clothes: Or some way to change your visual appearance in a crowd. If there's a chance of the police radioing your description, they're going to rely heavily on general characteristics and your clothing. Cover your hair during the protest for even further obscurity. If you plan on showing up in black bloc, bring something to wear that's helpful to blend in a crowd. If you're not in black bloc try to wear dark colors anyway to help you hide in the dark, if you need to run away. No matter what, don't stand out. The idea is to be as unidentifiable as possible.
Earplugs: The LRAD, or sound cannon, a device known for being used against Somali pirates, is now one of the police's "nonlethal" responses to dealing with protestors. The Long Range Acoustic Device is a high decibel weapon can emit sounds up to 137 decibels, with decibels over 85 being capable of causing hearing loss. To adequately fully protect your hearing from these weapons, you need shooting range ear protection but if you don't have access to those, bring the best earplugs you can get your hands on. If you're on the peripheral of an LRAD attack it can make a difference at the very least.
Tear Gas Protection: is going to get its own post as soon as I'm finished writing this one but it will be a repost of this article so in the meantime you can read it here.
Digital Security: Smart phones can be our greatest ally and also our worst enemy when it comes to protesting. Pictures you take on it, conversations you've had on it, could get another protester arrested, or if they're undocumented, deported. But at the same time they can help you find the march, document police brutality, and stay in contact with your group. There are a lot of different ways you can protect the data on your phone from being used against you (link coming soon) but some very basics are to keep a passcode lock on your phone and disable fingerprint entry before you leave. That way the police can't force you to open it (a questionably legal act). I recommend backing up your data and doing a factory reset on your phone before you leave if you have a smartphone. Communicating through something like Wire or Signal is good but won´t do you any good if the police can gain access to the app.
Rations: Depending on conditions and the length of the march/rally you may be walking a long time in the heat. Bring water for yourself and if possible water to share with the people around you. Same goes with snacks, particularly salty ones for electrolytes. I can tell you there's nothing like seeing a comrade with a box of pretzel rods after marching for 4 hours in all black in the middle of summer.
Basic Medical Supplies: Often organized protests have designated medics, but even if yours does there may not be one around in the time of an accident or attack. If you have the supplies to quickly wrap an ankle or bandage up a gash when either is needed you could potentially be a life saver, even if the injury is minor.
A Buddy: It's always better to go to protests with someone else. You can watch each other's 6, provide as a witness for interactions with the police, and generally keep an eye on each other.
Important Phone Numbers: In ink, on your body. Many people in the United States keep the National Lawyer's Guild number on them. In case you're arrested and need numbers to call, don't rely on having access to them in your phone.
Not every item on this list is essential for every single person at a protest, but the more people who come proactive the better. Of course the more gear you have the harder it is to be inconspicuous and slip into a crowd so you have to weigh the risks/benefits to bringing or leaving each item.
