What you need to do when exposed to teargas

Teargas or (riot control agents ) is likely to be used against protesters in a demonstration and may make people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs and skin.

People who are exposed to teargas may tend to experience some of the following symptoms on a short-term basis after exposure:

1. 1. Eyes: excessive tearing, burning, blurred vision, redness
2. 2. Nose: runny nose, burning, swelling
3. 3. Mouth: burning, irritation, difficulty swallowing, drooling
4. 4. Lungs: chest tightness, coughing, choking sensation, noisy breathing (wheezing), shortness of breath
5. 5. Skin: burns, rash

Other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting

Six things you need to do if exposed to teargas include;

1. Leave the area where teargas has been released

It is advisable for one to quickly move to an area where fresh air is available to reduce exposure effects.

2. Rinse your face with cold water. 

If your eyes are exposed, burning, or blurry, rinse them with water immediately.

Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Use water from your bottle to rinse.

If one is available it is advisable to use a drinking fountain or sink in a public restroom to flush your eyes with water for 10 to 15 minutes.

While rinsing your eyes from the inner to the outer corner, avoid allowing the contaminated water to run onto your skin or clothes.

3. Rinse off your body

After rinsing your face, the next steps are to clean the rest of your body.

Remove any unnecessary or contaminated layers of clothing you may have on you.

Avoid using hot water because it will open your pores and allow the chemicals to seep further in, which will result in even more skin irritation.

4. Dispose of the contaminated clothes

After rinsing off your body, place the teargas-exposed items of clothing inside a plastic bag.

Avoid touching contaminated areas of the clothing in order to reduce the chances of increased skin irritation.

If you can’t avoid touching contaminated areas, or you aren’t sure where the contaminated areas are, wear rubber gloves, turn the bag inside out, and use it to pick up the clothes.

5. Face the wind. 

When exposed to the tear gas fresh air will help blow excess tear gas powder off of you and will prevent it from blowing back into your mouth or eyes.