PROTESTER FIRST AID

You don't need to be a medical professional to help an activist in need, but it's a very good idea to learn how to help the activist without causing more harm. When you go to the Black Cross Medical Collective Website (blackcrosscollective) you will see the phrase "Fight the power, do not harm" on the top of every page. Take this advice to heart.

Chemical weapons like tear gas and pepper spray are the most common threats faced by protesters. Exposure can cause eye and skin irritation, difficulty breathing, choking and nausea. Do not panic! The effects of the tear gas or pepper spray are temporary. Stay calm, breathe slowly and remember that the irritation will soon pass. Panicking will only make the pain worse. Get the chemicals out of your mouth by rinsing with water and spitting, but do not swallow. If the chemicals are in your eyes, do not rub it in further. Here are two well known treatments for exposure to chemical weapons, but remember what I said at the beginning.

-MOFIBA: Mineral Oil Followed Immediately By Alcohol: This treatment is for tear gas or pepper spray on the skin. Soak a 4x4 gauze pad or a clean dry cloth with mineral oil. Thoroughly rub the exposed skin with the mineral oil, but avoid contact with the eyes. Once this is done, quickly soak another 4x4 pad with rubbing alcohol and vigourously remove the mineral oil, again avoiding the eyes. Complete the procedure as many times as needed to ensure total decontamination. You can also use cold water if you don't have MOFIBA. Make sure it's cold water, because warm or hot water can open your pours and allow the chemicals to seep deeper into your skin.

-LAW: Liquid Antacid and Water: This treatment is for chemicals in the eyes and mouth. The suggested formula for this mixture is 50 percent liquid antacid (i.e. Maalox) and 50 percent water, mixed and stored in a squirt bottle. The eyes should be flushed with water first, followed by the LAW mixture. Flush from the inside of the eye towards the outside, with the head tilted back slightly and towards the side being flushed. The victim may have trouble getting the eye open because of the pain, but the liquid must get into the eye in order for the treatment to work. Try to reassure the victim the irritation is temporary and help is on the way. Remember that rubbing the eyes will do more harm than good. Try to blink the chemical out by letting your natural tear ducts do some of the work. The LAW mixture is also good for cleansing the mouth of pepper spray and tear gas. Simply swish or gargle the LAW liquid inside your mouth and spit. Do not swallow. You may want to rinse your mouth out with straight water afterwards.

If you don't know how to perform these treatments, find someone who does. If trained street medics are on the scene, yell for one at the top of your lungs. In Quebec City, I found the street medics to be fast, professional and totally committed to helping people in trouble.

The pain and irritation caused by pepper spray and tear gas is usually temporary. Deaths due to exposure to tear gas and pepper spray are extremely rare, but anything can happen. If you have a medical condition that might be worsened by exposure to teargas or pepper spray, find a less risky way to make your voice heard. Before attending a major demonstration where police may use chemical weapons and other forms of crowd dispersal, seek professional medical advice from a doctor or nurse. Anytime you participate in political action you should do so at your personal level of comfort. You should also think about what you're fighting for. There are different kinds of political actions and different levels of risk for each one.

Besides tear gas and pepper spray, the police may also be armed with so-called "non-lethal projectiles" like rubber bullets, wooden bullets and beanbags. These weapons can cause serious bruises, eye injuries and broken bones. Many protesters at major actions have brought helmets, carpenter's visors, hockey pads and homemade shields to protect themselves from "non-lethal projectiles". If you want to take part in direct action, you should consider this gear in your pre-planning. Along with chemicals and non-lethal projectiles, the police will use their biggest weapon: fear and disinformation. These weapons can be combated with common sense and solidarity with other protesters.

Here's a list of things you should and should not bring to a protest that will help keep you healthy.