How to Apply First Aid for Accidental Pepper spray Targets
Pepper spray products are great for self-defense because they’re easy and effective to use. In fact, they’re so easy to use that many a person ends up accidentally spraying someone…or themselves.
If a person has been accidentally hurt with pepper spray, here are several things you can do to apply first aid.
No One Panics
Pepper spray may not be harmful but it certainly won’t feel like it to the victim. Pepper spray has an intensely painful effect and it’s likely to cause the victim to panic and then make you panic as well!
Don’t let that happen. You, most especially, must stay calm for the victim’s sake because you’ll be able to move more efficiently when your brain isn’t clouded with hysterics.
Have Someone Call 911
It’s better to be safe than sorry. There have been unconfirmed reports that pepper spray has been the cause of death due to severe allergic reactions. Why risk that when you don’t have to? Have someone call 911 even as you work on giving the victim first aid.
No Rubbing!
Tie the victim’s hands and bind her to a chair so that the contaminated area remains undisturbed. Rubbing the affected area clean of pepper spray won’t put a stop to the pain. It’s only going to make it worse.
Remember: pepper spray is an inflammatory agent. When you try to rub the skin clean of it, you’re only serving to spread the inflammation, which means that more capillaries in the victim’s skin will be subject to the effects of pepper spray.
Apply Antidote
If you happen to have an OC decontamination treatment product with you then apply that directly to the exposed area. If not that then what about milk? Dip a clean towel in milk then gently place it on the affected area.
No milk available? Then use lots and lots of water. Any of that could help with the initial sting but because pepper spray is oil-based, you’ll need to do a lot more. Mix cold water with soap that’s NOT oil-based. Some suggest the use of detergents (again not oil based) so you could try that, too.
Next, dip yourself into the water several times. Afterwards, dip a towel into the same mixture and use it to very gently rub your face clean of the oil. Expect this to hurt so don’t panic if the victim starts reacting again.
From here, you’ll just have to wait. The victim could start feeling better in fifteen to forty-five minutes. If the eyes have been contaminated and the victim is wearing contacts, be sure to have those disposed as early as possible. They’re not worth using after this.
Tags: first aid, pepper spray, personal weapon, self-defense tool, tips