pepper spray / oleoresin capsicum (OC)
Pepper spray, or oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, is a chemical used in various police weapons to inflame mucous membranes, causing temporary blindness and extreme pain. Its effects are similar to tear gas, but police use it in different situations and with different deployment mechanisms.
OC is a chemical made from capsaicin, the substance which gives chillies/peppers their burning sensation. While popular hot sauces like sriracha reach between 1000-2500 on the Scoville scale which measures spiciness, OC can exceed 2 million (1).
When applied to the eyes, mouth or skin of a victim OC causes extreme pain intended to force compliance. It forces a victim’s eyes to close, incapacitating them. It can cause inflammation and swelling of the respiratory tract, leading to coughing and breathing difficulties. In high doses, OC can be lethal (2).
It can be deployed in various forms:
Spray - Also known as pepper spray or capsicum spray. The chemical is stored in cans that either fire an aerosolised spray or foam stream at the victim. The cans are often carried by both general duties police and riot police.
Grenade - OC can be deployed by a grenade or canister similar to the usual deployment of tear gas (3).
Pellet - Also known as Pepperballs, these small pellets resembling paintballs can be fired at a range of nearly 50 metres from an air gun (4). The pellets can be fired directly at the victim similar to baton rounds, or multiple pellets can be fired at the ground to create a cloud of OC.
a brief history of OC use
Mace was first developed for civilian self defence in the 1960s. The original spray used tear gas, not OC. In 1973 OC spray became available and was used for civilian self defence and to repel animals (5). In the 1980s the FBI developed OC spray for their agents and SWAT teams (6). It became popular with regular US police forces in the 1990s before being exported across the world.
dangers
OC spray causes extreme pain, temporary blindness, coughing and breathing difficulties. In rare cases it can be fatal, especially when combined with Tasers, handcuffs or beating. Children, people with asthma or pulmonary conditions are at greater risk of fatality (7).
OC pellets can cause bruising, fractures or death. In 2004 Victoria Snelgrove was killed by police in Boston when an OC projectile struck her in the eye.
countermeasures
preparation
Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible. A bandana, scarf or balaclava should be used to cover your face, which is more effective if soaked in water.
Gas masks and respirators are more effective than cloth but are not widely available. Makeshift versions can be crafted with cloth or plastic bottles.
Wear swimming goggles to protect your eyes. Wrap-around sunglasses can be partially effective.
Avoid wearing contact lenses as the OC particles can lodge between the lens and your eye (8).
first aid
A person affected by OC should be moved into an area with fresh air. Contaminated clothing and contact lenses should be immediately removed.
Flush eyes with water but be careful not to just spread the substance around. Pour water over one eye at a time. OC will not break down by adding water, but flushing eyes is still helpful. Some activists have used solutions such as milk, but studies have not shown this to be effective (9).
If you have asthma or any other respiratory illness seek immediate professional medical attention.
aftermath
Have a cool shower. Warm water can open your pores causing more pain.
Wash contaminated clothes several times with cold water. Do not mix with other laundry.
references
(1) Tear gas and pepper spray: What protesters need to know (acs.org)
(2) Hunsicker, A. 2011, Behind the shield: anti-riot operations guide, Universal-Publishers, p.208
(3) INSTANTANEOUS BLAST OC GRENADE (defense-technology.com)
(4) WHY PEPPERBALL (pepperball.com)
(5) Chan, T.C., Vilke, G.M., Clausen, J., Clark, R., Schmidt, P., Snowden, T. & Neuman, T. 2000, Impact of Oleoresin Capsicum Spray on Respiratory Function in Human Subjects in the Sitting and Prone Maximal Restraint Positions, Final Report, 182433, U.S. Department of Justice.
(6) Object of Interest: Pepper Spray | The New Yorker
(7) Chan, T.C., Vilke, G.M., Clausen, J., Clark, R., Schmidt, P., Snowden, T. & Neuman, T. 2000, Impact of Oleoresin Capsicum Spray on Respiratory Function in Human Subjects in the Sitting and Prone Maximal Restraint Positions, Final Report, 182433, U.S. Department of Justice.
(8) Death of a Red Sox Fan Leads to Stricter Rules - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
(9) Tear gas and pepper spray: What protesters need to know (acs.org)