S11-AWOL
medical information
s-11 things to bring
(Originally: the Anarchist Anti-WTO Survival Kit Guide for Seattle and elsewhere)
Clothing- should be protective and durable, light weight (to allow for great mobility), and tight fitting while covering the entire body (to protect from tear gas). Also prepare for cold/wet weather. Bring gear.
Gloves
Hiking Boots/Military boots/High sneakers
Helmet
For Men- jock strap or protective cup
Prescription Drugs
Food- esp. if special diet is required. FNBs will be feeding, but do not rely upon them; bring food.
Eyeglasses (extra pair in a safe location if possible)
Self-sufficient camp gear
Money, incl. change
Maps- road maps, train-track maps, city/town maps
Whistle/Noisemakers
All purpose tool- bottle/can opener, screwdriver, awl/cork screw, tweezers (leatherman recommended)
Pen and note paper
Emergency Phone Numbers:
Pocket knife
Communication Equipment- Bring witnessing equipment, portable radios, communication devices, etc.
Bicycles.
Try to leave pets at home.
Demonstrators First Aid Kit3-ounce rubber bulb (to rinse out eye wounds)
Adhesive tape
Alcohol (for sterilising needle),
Anti-bacterial ointment
Antihistamine
Antiseptic wipes
Baking Soda and or Campden Tablets- see below
Burn ointment
Calamine lotion
Clean cloth
Comprehensive first-aid manual
Cotton swabs
Disinfectant- iodine, etc.
Duct tape
Emergency blanket
Eye drops
Eye dressing or pad
Foot powder
Magnifying glass
Matches/lighter
Moleskin/2nd Skin- many uses
Pain reliever, strong
Petroleum jelly
Prescription medicines
Razor blade/X-Acto Knife
Safety pins
Safety gloves
Scissors
Sewing kit (needle and thread, etc.)
Small mirror
Thermometer
Tongue depressors
Towelettes
Tweezers
Vitamins
Bandages
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Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
Assorted band aids, bandage tape,
Butterfly bandages
Elastic-wrap bandage
Gauze pads
Gauze wraps
Large compress bandage
Medical Tape
Triangular bandage
Wire splint
Dealing with CS Gas (Tear Gas)Gas mask- only use current military or police designs. Don't try any old ones you may come across in markets or army surplus stores as many used asbestos in the filters!
Mask/hood- offer limited protection. Also useful for disguise.
Goggles- for eye protection.
Neutraliser #1- Carry a bottle of solution made up from water with 5% Baking Soda.
Neutraliser #2- Carry a bottle of solution made up from water and sodium metabisulphate (sold as Campden tablets used in home brewing).
Superdeluxe Pregassing Antidote- Mix 8-10 eggs, 1 cup water and a teaspoon of baking soda in a bowl. Beat mixture well. Keep refrigerated in small plastic bottles until a demonstration. Wipe the stuff on your face before a gassing occurs.
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.
ASAP, have a cold shower for 3-5 minutes (hot water opens the pores and allows gas particles in), then proceed with normal showering. Showers flush the chemical away whilst a bath will just re-distribute it. For gross contamination, wash with Neutralizer mentioned above.
After the action you should hang your clothes up in a well ventilated area to disperse the last remnants of the gas. When they have hung for a day or so wash them twice- first in cold and then in hot water- and they'll be okay to wear again.
CS Gas is fat soluble so never coat your skin in petroleum jelly or similar substances for protection as some people have tried. When sprayed do not treat the area with any cream, jelly or ointment, unless advised to by someone who knows what they are talking about. The best treatments are air, cold water and time.
References
Do or Die Editorial Collective. "Do or Die No. 7 Voices from Earth First!" POB 2971 Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 2TT, UK. An Unaccountable Clique EF! production.
Headquarters, Department of the Army. Nov. 1985. "FM 19-15 Civil Disturbances"
Hoffman, Abbie. 1996. "steal this book". Four Walls Eight Windows
Distribute widely.
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Links:
OAS SHUTDOWN COALITION SAFETY AND MEDICAL DOCUMENT