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Medical
Information for Direct Actions
Things
you should know about chemical weapons:
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 in intense
actions, police behavior can be unpredictable, and
avoidance is not always possible.
- Folks
with respiratory diseases, such as asthma,
emphysema, etc. risk exacerbation, permanent damage
or even death if exposed.
- Vulnerable
humans 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, 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 conditions (ie: severe acne, psoriasis, or
eczema) and eye conditions (ie: conjunctivitis or
uveitis) risk an intensified response.
- People
wearing contact lenses may experience increased eye
irritation and damage due to chemicals being trapped
under the lenses.
After
being exposed, do not bring contaminated clothing
indoors unless it is wrapped in a plastic bag. As soon
as you can, wash your hair and all contaminated clothing
in a strong detergent. Remember, it is only temporary,
and we are extremely strong.
General
Concerns:
Contact lenses trap the irritating gases and chemical
compounds underneath them and may increase the amount of
damage and irritation. GET PRESCRIPTION GLASSES NOW
& WARN OTHERS NOT TO WEAR CONTACT LENSES. Menstrual
Periods/Pregnancy: A significant number of Seattle women
gassed experienced immediate onset of menstruation
outside their normal cycles. Some reported menstrual
irregularities lasting for months. At least one
spontaneous abortion - or miscarriage - has been
reported. Reaction to chemical exposure will be greater
with the presence of some skin conditions such as acne
or severe eczema. Tear gas and pepper spray contain oily
solvents that will rubber and plastic, so don't buy
really expensive gear. This means that your slowly
dissolve goggles will only provide temporary protection.
Also remember that the straps of your gear will absorb
the chemicals and eventually begin to irritate the skin
beneath.
PEPPER
SPRAY CONCERNS:
- Since
pepper spray is often sprayed at a close distance,
the police may try to:
- Physically
remove your goggles/ breathing protection.
- Spray
between your face and your goggles/mask (which
if your hands are locked down, makes them a trap
for the chemical).
- It
can be hazardous. People have died from respiratory
failure (no protesters that we are aware of).
- Asthmatics
should bring their bronchodilators.
TEAR
GAS & PEPPER SPRAY CONCERNS:
The
propellants and/or active ingredients can cause cancer,
are mutagenic and hence potentially teratogenic. One
form of tear gas (CN) used during the WTO is 50% solvent
- the solvent, methylene chloride, is a highly toxic
chemical which can cause altered central nervous system
function.
What
can we do to protect ourselves from
"non-lethal" projectiles?
Law enforcement agencies have fired a variety of
non-lethal "projectiles," including rubber
bullets (generally spherical, ranging from pea-sized to
marble sized), wooden bullets (one inch dowels, about
one and a half inches long) and beanbags (three inch by
four inch nets bags filled with plastic shavings). The
projectiles cause deep bruises and can break bones, but
the most serious risk is to your eyes. For protection,
bring the type of visor or shield used by carpenters
(available at hardware stores). These visor are
important to use over glasses or swim goggles, both of
which can shatter.
Other
First Aid:
Sprains:
- RICE:
Rest (don't walk on sprained ankle, or use sprained
wrist), Ice, Compression (ace-bandage), Elevation.
- Broken
bones:
- Immobilize
fractured limb (with other part of body, stick,
etc.)
- Get
person to medical facility
- Watch
for signs of internal bleeding (swelling, bruising)
Burn:
- If
chemical burn, flush off chemical with copious
amounts of water.
- Cool
water relieves
- Keep
burn clean and sterile
- Do
not break blisters. Do not wipe. Gently blot with
clean cloth to remove moisture and grime.
- Bandage
loosely to keep clean.
- May
apply proper ointments to minor non-blister burn
- For
extensive burns, seek medical help.
Penetrating
injury:
- Do
not remove impaled object - that might cause more
injury or more bleeding.
- Immobilize
the object with clean or sterile bandages
- Get
the person to advanced medical care. May also need
tetanus shot.
Extenal
bleeding:
- Put
pressure on the cut to help stop bleeding.
- Cover
wound with clean or sterile bandages.
Shock:
Shock
is loss of vital blood pressure. Signs are decreased
consciousness, cool/clammy/pale skin, and/or rapid &
weak pulse.
- Have
the person lie on their back. Raise knees slightly
(unless there are head injuries, leg fractures or
breathing difficulty). This helps blood flow to
brain.
- Make
sure the person is breathing.
- Seek
medical help - this could be an emergency.
Determine
cause for shock:
- Dehydration
- they should drink water if conscious enough, or IV
solution infusion by trained medical person.
- Bleeding
- stop bleeding via pressure. Person will need IV
infusion & further intervention by trained
medical person.
- Reaction
to chemical: Make sure person is breathing. Be
prepared to perform CPR. If symptoms do not improve
rapidly, treat as a medical emergency.
Decontaminate.
Head
Injury:
- Victim
may also have brain and spinal injury.
- Keep
head-back elevated at least 30 degrees if lying
down.
- Person
may be irrational - control them to ensure safety.
- If
bleeding, apply bandages lightly.
- Bring
help to victim.
- Watch
for decreasing level of consciousness, behavior
changes, difficulty to arouse, nausea or vomiting,
dizziness, head ache.
- Follow
Up Care is ESSENTIAL because of possible later onset
of problems.
Eye
Glasses Lost, Broken, Blurry Near Vision:
- Pinhole
in paper, held close to the eye will make it
possible to read.
- Cheap
non-Rx drug store glasses my be temporary
substitute.
Information
for those risking arrest with health conditions:
If
you have any health condition that might pose serious
health problems if your medication is interrupted (such
as: retroviruses, psychiatric disorders, diabetes,
hypertension), you should be aware that you may not have
access to proper medication while you are in jail. A
letter from a doctor may help. Three copies of the
letter are needed, one for the legal team, one for the
medical team (these will be kept completely
confidential) and one for you.
It
should include the following information: your name,
diagnosis, that you must have access at all times to
your medication, a list of all meds, that you must be
allowed to keep meds on your person so that they can be
properly administered, and that no substitutions are
acceptable.
Since
your name must be on the document, you may want to hide
it on your body as a sort of insurance policy--perhaps
you won't need it and then could eat it and utilize
solidarity tactics. We believe that revealing your name
and cooperating with the jailers to ensure your health
is more beneficial to all than having to deal with a
serious medical problem. Better to cite out than pass
out.
Please
make sure that your affinity group and the legal team is
aware of your needs so they can help care and advocate
for you.
Carrying
essential medications in their original prescription
bottles with your name and the drug, dosage, etc. may
help you get access to them in jail.
Recommended
Supplies for Protestors/Affinity Groups for Mass
Actions:
The
Essentials
- Chants
and Attitudes! i.e. "Ain't no power like the
power of the people - cause the power of the people
don't stop!"
- Water:
LOTS to drink and rinse off chemicals. Spray mister
head or squirt head on bottle to help conserve water
& minimize contamination.
- Rescue
Remedy from Health Food store - 4 drops per quart of
water.
- Bandannas
soaked in vinegar- A gas mask semi-substitute. Keep
them in a heavy duty ziplock bag.
- Energy
Snacks - easy swallowing liquid, semi liquid to keep
you going. Shatter resistant eye protectuin from
plastic bullets. Prescription sports. Shooting
glasses best.
- Sealed
goggles like swimmers (available in prescription).
Protection from tear gas & pepper spray.
- Fresh
shirt Sealed in plastic bag, to replace a chemically
contaminated shirt.
- CLOTH,
4x4 GAUZE, etc. to clean off chemicals.
- Prescription
sunglasses with straps. DO NOT WEAR CONTACT
LENSES!!! Trapped chemicals may cause eye damage. DO
NOT BRING/USE ON SKIN: Vaseline, detergent soap,
skin moisturizers, make-up, because the chemicals
bind with them - anything acidic will cause stronger
reaction. Do not wear Vaseline, mineral oil for
protection!!!
Optional
Supplies / Clothing info:
- NO
earrings, piercings, necklaces, ties, etc. that can
be grabbed. (A Simpsons' show had the police use a
giant magnet to capture protesters by their
piercing)!
- Wear
Expendable synthetics that wont absorb chemicals,
washed w castille soap (i.e. Dr. Bronners).
Clinch/seal at wrists, ankles & neck.
Windbreaker, light rain gear, also for changing
color if you need to disappear. Replacement
pants/shirt sealed in bag. Non absorbent hair cover:
plastic bags or shower caps. Helmet, cup, jock,
sports bra. Comfortable running shoes. Heavy duty
glove to handle hot tear gas canisters.
- Gloves
disposable latex, vinyl, dishwashing. Extra bags.
- Mineral
Oil & Rubbing Alcohol for pepper spray
de-contamination. Dangerous if used incorrectly.
- Paper,
pen, for notes, documentation, etc..
- Money
for food, transportation & telephone
Recommended
Extra JUMP KIT supplies for Affinity Groups:
- Castile
soap -i.e. Dr. Bronners- wash with before demo,
after chemical exposure
- 2x2
& 4x4 bandages, menstrual pads (as bandages),
Band-aids, tampons (for nose bleeds), skin tape, ace
bandages
- Eye
irrigation
- CPR
masks
- Instant
ice
- Emergen-C
or other electrolyte mix
- Arnica
30x, 6c is better (homeopathic remedy for shock
& trauma)
- Causticum
and Cantharis 30x (homeopathic remedies for burns)
- Wound
& skin ointments.
- Ching
Wan Hung burn/abrasion ointment available in Asian
Communities
- Emergency
phone numbers, contact information
- Jar:
non-breakable w lid, date/time/place-label, to take
air/tear gas sample
- Camera
(expendable) 400 ASA film, duct tape, marker
For
further information:
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