Remedies for the eyes, nose, and mouth

Based on our trials, these are our recommendations for exposure to pepper spray, especially for the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, genitalia)

We recommend an eye flush using a solution of half liquid antacid and half water. This only applies to aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide based antacids such as Maalox (plain or mint). Please note that we have NOT used simethicone based antacids in the trials so far, and therefore we do not recommend them.

The action-medical community has come to refer to this remedy by the acronym "LAW" (liquid antacid and water), but not all action medical folks use the same protocol we do.

A bottle with a squirt cap is ideal for the eyeflush. Always irrigate from the inside corner of the eye towards the outside, with head tilted back and slightly towards the side being rinsed. It needs to get into the eye to help. You may need to help open the victims' eye for them - they most likely won't be able/ willing to open it themselves, and opening will cause a temporary increase in pain, but it does help.

This works great as a mouth rinse too, as long as the victim is alert and able to manage her/his own airway.

During cold weather, do your best to keep yourself and the victim dry.

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