If you are going to a protest where shit may get real, here’s (part) of my med kit I carry to these:
1. Nitrile gloves
2. NAR CAT tourniquets
3. Roller gauze and/or wound packing
4. Chest seals
5. Blister treatments (molefoam, cloth tape)
6. Clean water in a bike squeeze bottle (for eye irrigation)
7. Trauma shears
8. Surgical masks
9. Safety glasses
10. Snacks
11. Tampons and pads
12. P-100 respirator with vapor cartridges
13. Shop towels
I also carry a helmet.
If someone is shot in front of you, first of all, seek cover. If it is safe to render aid, your first order of business is hemorrhage control. Bleeding extremity? Tourniquet now, re-asses later. Extremity wound you can’t tourniquet? Wound packing. Chest, abdomen,or neck wound? Chest seal/occlusive dressing.
The key to combat medicine is speed. Act decisively, then get the casualty out of the hot/warm zone and to somewhere you can re-assess them.
If you want to be able to help people with asthma/reactive airway conditions who can’t breathe after tear gas, Primatene Mist inhalers are available over-the-counter and are better than nothing.
If you want to stop extremity hemorrhage, read up on CAT tourniquet use, get some, and practice with them a bit (don’t tighten the windlass, or they won’t work as well next time).
If you want to get irritant agents off of skin/eyes, use plain tap water, lots of it. Do NOT add anything to it.
If you want to treat cold injuries (frostbite), you need to know if you can get the patient off scene and into long-term warming. Do NOT thaw someone’s frozen hands/fingers if they are going to immediately freeze them again. Repeated freezing causes far more injury.
Wrap frozen fingers/toes in a clean dressing, and protect them.
For warming, use lukewarm water or body heat if possible. Hot air can cause burns if you aren’t VERY careful. Rewarming is extremely painful. Be ready.
@mcnado OK, so from what you said, I'd presume that the aerosol spray would probably be more effective? The powder inhalers seem to have less propellant.
Of course I see that there's the powder delivery inhalers require someone to draw breath upon them to trigger the delivery so the person would have to be coordinated enough to use it.
Thanks! This is good to know. I'm sure everyone else like me who has inhalers also has a bunch of old inhalers that they haven't discarded yet.
@mcnado So much this. Also many organizations offer “Stop the Bleed” training, which is first aid for gunshot and knife wounds. If you have the opportunity to take it, do so asap.
I have undergone that training and it was well worth the time invested.
@mcnado McNado, describe how to seal a chest wound for us please.
Edit PS.@. I’m old enough to have been taught to get the cellophane off a pack of cigarettes to use on a sucking chest wound. 🤷♀️.
@MiriShuli best option is a commercial chest seal. Second best is taking something sterile and occlusive like a foil/plastic bandage packing and taping the sides down. Venting a corner by periodically lifting it up is a good plan if transport isn’t readily available.
The reality is that most medical tape won’t stick to a sweaty, bloody chest anyway. The adhesive on chest seals is very thick, strong, sticky stuff.
The instructions for irrigating eyes have always been water: https://phr.org/our-work/resources/preparing-for-protecting-against-and-treating-tear-gas-and-other-chemical-irritant-exposure-a-protesters-guide/ .
Do not suggest anything else.
As I assume @mcnado is tired of having to explain.
Deceptively known as “less-lethal,” these weapons can in fact cause severe injuries and even death when used with excessive force. Physicians for Human Rights has worked extensively on the health impacts of these weapons and has issued the following guidance to help people seeking to exercise their right to protest prepare for, protect against, and […]
@mcnado Not just protesters. Completely warranted to be carrying a bunch of this if you are just kind of going to be out where you might encounter ICE, which is pretty much anywhere in the twin cities at this point.
Absurd, literal warzone advice, but is what it is.
Great info, Thanks!
here's something I share for people's digital security:
Are You Attending A Protest ??
Get The EFF Guide SURVEILLANCE SELF-DEFENSE WHILE ATTENDING A PROTEST
For quick reference, we've created a handy guide designed to be printed, folded, and carried in your pocket (PDF download). Now, more than ever, citizens must be able to hold those in power accountable and inspire others through the act of protest. Protecting your electronic devices and digital assets before, during,...
I have seen this PDF on riot medicine recommended, but I don't have the knowledge or experience to vouch for it.
Is anyone here familiar with this?
That would be @hakan_geijer .
Thank you!
@mcnado "Riot medicine"
is a good read for anyone, but especially if you want to be one of the helpers if things go south
Make sure that bike bottle's got a cap, for us amateurs. I'm sure you know to purge it before eyewashing, but the rest of us will forget.
@mcnado and I'm going to scream this until people start listening.
The shit people keep buying off Amazon from China IS NOT P100 AND NOT SAFE. And you MUST WEAR IT CORRECTLY.
That means buy genuine 3M 6000-series, FF-800 series, or 7000-series sized correctly. Preferably full face, but 6098N11 if you cannot.
You MUST get the correct eyeglass adapter kit if you wear glasses.
ONLY use 3M P100 cartridge 60926 or *exact* equivalent. Replace after exposure.
Verify fit and seal EVERY TIME.
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