[Country Boy]

As part of my training at the ND LE Training Academy, I get sprayed with OC. :D Are there any hints/tricks to alleviate the aftereffects? I've been told that milk will help neutralize the burning. Any other ideas?

[asleepinTucson]

Baby Shampoo, unscented baby wipes, but the best thing was washcloths soaked in ice water. You must get your eyes open and keep them open. Use the wet washcloth to get traction to pull down on on the lower eyelids and hold them open. Wind is your friend so if you can, bring a fan. When you get in the shower later don't forgrt that gravity will bring the OC from your hair and face down to that area below your waist and above your knees that should never come in contact with OC:fire: :cuss: :what:

If you need more info go to glocktalk.com in the coptalk section and search for "OC", "spray" and "pepper spray"

[DigMe]

Comp-tac (and probably many other dealers) sells those special wipes that are supposed to be good for wiping off OC spray.

brad cook

[Highpower1]

I second the Baby Shampoo. BE SURE to wash your hair while washing your face out though. I made the mistake of washing just my face and then getting home (was the last class of the day) and then hopping in the shower and BAM, I got a second shot from it from my hair. Was really funny to my wife me yelling, Honey can you help me out of the shower, I can't see right now.

[sendec]

If academy rules permit, do not shave before or the day of the class. No contact lenses or anything oily on the face. Be aware that there will be residue in eyebrows and 'staches, so when you shower there may be a recurrence, and oh yeah, you'll want a COLD shower. asleepinTuscon also referenced what I like to refer to as the "bikini wax" effect, I'll take it on faith that that has to hurt.


The baby shampoo is best. If you have to decon in buckets make sure the water is changed frequently or it will get a "slick" on top. Fresh, moving air is the best remedy, couteous instructors will have fans going. The natural inclination will be to keep your eyes closed - this only postpones the inevitable. Hold'em open and flush with fresh water.

The specialized wipes and sprays work about the same as anything else - I think a large effect from them is psychological - you think they'll make you feel better and they cost a lot, so they have to work.

OC's effect is purely psychological. It induces pain and panic in people who are unprepared to handle it. Focus on winning the fight and you will probably be underwhelmed by it's effect.

[jeff1965tx]

I agree with the other posts except for the one that recomends the cold shower. You actually want a hot shower as hot as possible to open your pores and wash out the OC. Otherwise the OC will stay in your skin and continue to burn.
Your eyes will close, it doesn't matter how much you fight it, it will happen, but it will take longer if your are prepared.

OC is not like CS.

Good luck! :fire:

[stevelyn]

I have found that Dawn dish detergent is the best for washing off OC. Follow up by using a Sudecon towelette while facing into a breeze.
Decon water temperature should be more like room temperature. No more than 70F and a lttle cooler. Any warmer and you get a secondary burn from the OC. Any colder and the water actually hurts your face.
Although OC hurts, its affects are mostly psychological due to making you shut your eyes. Keep your head about you and you'll work through it easier.

[jeff1965tx]

The so called psychological effect, isn't psychological. The chemical's in the OC cause you to close your eyes. In one of my training classes I was shown a video tape, they had the voulnteers cover one eye with their hand and sprayed the uncovered eye with OC. Then they made the voulnteers fight through several situations. During the situations the voulnteers eyes, both eyes closed up. Its your bodies natural defense to protect itself.
I know the several times I been gased, and sprayed ( Level 1 through 3 ) it wasn't a psychological effect that closed my eyes. I new excatly what was coming, and what it was going to do, I also know that after a few minutes it'll be over and I feel fine, but it still happened. I have come across very few people in the last 7 years that the OC doesn't effect. I can count them on one hand.
The Armor Holdings training instructors recommended a hot shower to open your pours, yes there was a second contamination but nothing like the first, and there was no secondary burns with the hot water. I survived alot better than the people who didnot take the shower who suffered the rest of the evening.