TO MALAYSIAN ALL BLACKS.....

1 more good reason to go Black in Ipoh tomorrow - WONG CHIN HUAT. Some time ago I archived this article from magazine DO OR DIE. I produce here relevant excerpts that may be useful if the FRU decides to cover the BLACKS with WHITE gassed clouds or shower-spray.

What is Tear Gas

A lachrymatory agent or lachrymator (from lacrima meaning "a tear" in Latin) (commonly referred to as tear gas) is a chemical compound that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tearing, pain, and even temporary blindness.

Tear gas works by irritating mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and cause crying, sneezing, coughing hard breathing, etc. Lachrymators are thought to act by attacking sulphydryl functional groups in enzymes, but the mechanism is not well understood. First used in 1915, Xylyl bromide was a popular tearing agent since it was easily brewed.

These chemicals are tear producing agents, hence the euphemism 'tear gas'. Exposure to them causes severe eye irritation, a profuse flow of tears, skin irritation (especially on moist areas of the body) and irritation of the upper respiratory tract, causing sneezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing

What to do when gassed

Goggles are useful for eye protection and are easy to get hold of and carry. ( I personally recommend swimming goggles as the ideal.)

Carry a bottle of solution made up from water and sodium metabisulphate (sold as Campden tablets used in home brewing) as this combination neutralises the effects of CS. If you cannot get this use clean water to rinse the eyes and skin affected.

If you are asthmatic tell the people around you before the action starts, so that if when sprayed you have a bad reaction they'll be able to act appropriately by giving you your medication or getting a doctor.

What to do when sprayed

If you are in the line of spray move backwards out of range rather than sideways where the spray may still be able to reach you. If you are in a building move outside. Your eyesight may become blurred and it is easy to lose awareness of what is going on. Do not run blindly into the arms of the police, or worse still, into traffic. Act calmly and stay aware of your surroundings whilst moving to a safe area.

If possible stand upwind of where the spraying happened and expose the affected part of your body to the wind. This will help disperse the gas quickly.

Flush the affected area of the body with the solution mentioned earlier - or just water if this is not available. Do not touch it as you will spread the chemical around and rub it into your pores. It may be possible that you can rejoin the action right away, as small amounts should only affect you for a few minutes.

When possible have a cold/lukewarm shower (hot water opens the pores and allows gas particles in) as soon as possible. Showers flush the chemical away whilst a bath will just re-distribute it.

How They Affect You:

Both tear gas and pepper spray are skin irritants, causing burning pain and excess drainage from eyes, nose, mouth and breathing passages. Pepper spray is more popular with authorities as an agent of control because of its immediate pain-causing qualities. It is harder to remove from the skin and has the capacity to cause first degree burns.

If you are exposed to either, you may experience:

• stinging, burning in your eyes, nose, mouth and skin
• excessive tearing, causing your vision to blur
• runny nose
• increased salivation
• coughing and difficulty breathing
• disorientation, confusion and sometimes panic
• intense anger from pepper spray exposure is a common response; this can be useful if you are prepared for it and are able to focus it towards recovery and returning to the action.
  

The good news is that this is temporary.

Prevention:

For most healthy people, the effects of tear gas and 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.

Conditions:

• Folks with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, etc. risk exacerbation, or permanent damage if exposed.
• Vulnerable people 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, Lupus, HIV, 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) risk an intensified response.
• People wearing contact lenses may experience increased eye irritation and damage due to chemicals being trapped under the lenses.

FINALLY:

Take care of yourself. If you are grounded, well-rested, fed and watered, you will be less harassed in the action. Dressing appropriately and preparing for the weather is key. Think water, comfy shoes, rain gear/sun protection, more water. Think mobility and comfort. Think creative energy and sustainability. Remember that we do this because it is important!

TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

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