Aerosol Spray Training

1
Aerosol Spray Training

• Todd Quick
• OC Instructor
• La Junta Police Department

• Greg Kirkland
• PPCT Instructor
• La Junta Police Department

2
Course Objectives

• Brief history of chemical agents
• Formulation whats in the can?
• Aerosol Spray Deployment
• When to use OC according to PPCT

3
Course Objectives Cont...

• Environmental considerations of OC deployment
• Medical considerations during decontamination
• Demonstrate proper decontamination procedures

4
Session I

• History of Chemical Agents

5
History of Chemical Agents

• Chemical agents were used throughout time for
  different reasons.
• They were used over 2000 years ago by the Chinese.

6
History of Chemical Agents Continued ...

• In 428 B.C. Spartans used wood saturated with
  pitch and sulfur.
• In World War I chemical agents were used
  extensively to kill and harass troops.

7
History of Chemical Agents Continued ...

• The French utilized tear-producing agents with
  limited success.
• Lethal gases - phosgene and chlorine.

8
History of Chemical AgentsContinued...

• Chloroacetophenone (CN) tear gas.
• Invented in 1869.
• Adopted by law enforcement after WW1.
• Uncontrollable tears.

9
History of Chemical AgentsContinued...

• Ortho-Chlorbenzalmalononitrile (CS) tear gas.
• Developed in 1957
• CS causes blepharospasm.

10
History of Chemical AgentsContinued...

• CS effective indoors.
• It was used by American police in 1965.

11
History of Chemical AgentsContinued...

• The Chemical Convention treaty (CCT).
• CCT states under article II, section 5, that riot
  control agents are defined as

12
History of Chemical AgentsContinued...

• In 1975, President Ford ratified the Geneva
  Protocol entitled..

13
History of Chemical AgentsContinued...

• Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War
  of Asphyxiating, Poisonous, or Other Gases, and
  of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare.

14
History of Chemical AgentsContinued...

• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC)
• Not listed in the schedule.
• O.C. was first introduced to law enforcement in
  1976.

15
History of Chemical AgentsContinued...

• Capstun introduces to commercial law enforcement
  market.
• 1989, FBI completes three year research of O.C.

16
Session II

• SHUs and Percentages

17
SHUs and Percentages

• SHUs
• SHU Scoville Heat Unit.
• The original Scoville Taste Test.
• Green pepper 0 SHUs

18
SHUs and Percentages

• The Scoville Organoleptic Test.

19
SHUs and Percentages Cont...

• HPLC
• High Performance Liquid Chromatography
• The capsaicinoids are extracted
• Test provides heat analysis

20
SHUs and Percentages Cont...

• Percentages
• Remember, more is not better.
• 15 O.C. maximum allowed by law.
• amount of O.C.

21
SHUs and Percentages Cont...

• Capsaicin,the active ingredient in OC.
• Higher percentages of OC result in increased
  risk of injury as well as prolonged
  decontamination time.

22
Session III

• Formulations

23
Formulations

• Formulations
• There are numerous choices.

24
Formulations Cont...

• Spray Patterns
• Cone
• Ballistic Stream
• Foam
• Magnum Fogger

25
Formulations Cont...

• Shotgun Stream
• The spray pattern is determined by the
  formulation, and not the nozzle.

26
Formulations Cont..

• Cone Sprays
• ADVANTAGES
• Not target specific
• Wide scattergun type pattern

27
Formulations Cont..

• DISADVANTAGES
• Contamination of innocent bystanders
• Widespread contamination

28
Formulations Cont..

• Ballistic Stream
• ADVANTAGES
• Pinpoint pattern
• Risk of cross and area contamination are
  substantially lowered

29
Formulations Cont..

• DISADVANTAGES
• Target specific
• Hydraulic Needle Effect
• Agent does not adequately atomize

30
Formulations Cont..

• Foam
• Designed specifically for indoor use

31
Formulations Cont..

• DISADVANTAGES
• Limited firing distances
• Increased time for the agent to take effect
• Prolonged decontamination time
• Virtually ineffective in outdoor environments,
  particularly in any wind

32
Formulations Cont..

• Magnum Fogger
• Designed for riot and inmate control

33
Formulations Cont..

• DISADVANTAGES
• Risk of serious bodily injury

34
Formulations Cont..

• Shotgun Stream
• Dispensed in a Ballistic Stream form
• Pattern allows further firing distances
• Remember minimum firing distance
• When ever tactically feasible, this pattern
  should not be deployed at distances under six
  feet

35
Formulations Cont..

• Inside the Canister
• Active Agent
• Solvent
• Propellant

36
Formulations Cont..

• Active Agent
• CS (Ortho-chlorobenzamalononitrile)
• CN (Chloroacetophenone)

37
Formulations Cont..

• Active Agent Cont..
• OC (Oleoresin Capsicum)
• Pava (Nonivamide)

38
Formulations Cont..

• Blends
• OC is commonly mixed with CS or CN teargas
• Teargas causes immediate, painful reaction
• OC/CS extremely effective

39
Formulations Cont..

• Solvents (Carriers)
• Alcohol
• Water
• Organic Hydrocarbons
• Methylene Chloride

40
Formulations Cont..

• Propellants
• Carbon Dioxide
• Nitrogen
• Propane
• Butane

41
Portation

• Portation
• An Officer should carry all of his/her equipment
  where it is most comfortable and accessible to
  him/her

42
Session III, Lab I

• To the lab...

43
Session IV

• Aerosol Spray Deployment

44
Aerosol Spray Deployment

• Capsaicin is a vasodilator
• Capsicums inflammatory properties are a result
  of dilating blood vessels.
• Secure into handcuffs/restraints

45
Aerosol Spray Deployment Cont..

• OC does not contain the subject.
• Restraint system should be used
• Goal oriented subjects

46
Aerosol Spray Deployment Cont..

• Effectiveness can vary
• Most can attain their goal
• The effects will eventually take effect.
• Nothing is failsafe, Always us caution.

47
Aerosol Spray Deployment Cont..

• Order the subject into a prone position
• Use your PPCT
• Remember that you have already restricted the
  breathing.

48
Aerosol Spray Deployment Cont..

• The perceived inability to breathe can trigger a
  panic response
• Acute Hyperventilation Syndrome
• Reassure the subject
• Breathe slowly
• breathe into a bag

49
Aerosol Spray Deployment Cont..

• Some of the symptoms of AHS are
• An inability to catch their breathe
• Tightness in their chest, a tingling in the hands
  or feet
• Verbalization of panic or terror

50
Aerosol Spray Deployment Cont..

• People react quite differently when exposed to OC
• Some barely react
• Those who are already excited and prone to fits
  of panic attacks

51
Session V

• PPCT and OC

52
PPCT and OC

• The use of the Force Continuum
• Continuum placement relative to
  medical/scientific research and studies
• In the PPCT Force Continuum, O.C. IS AN
  INTERMEDIATE WEAPON

53
PPCT and OC Cont...

• Over 180 pieces of existing research and study
  data were used.
• Potential hazards of OC Spray.
• 1996, 70 died after being sprayed with OC.
• Lack of research by OC manufacturers.

54
PPCT and OC Cont...

• Research study disputes manufacturers claims
  that OC is entirely safe.
• OC may pose serious health risks such as
• - Acute Toxicity - Pulmonary Effects -
  Mutagenicity - Carcinogenicity - Eye Damage -
  Respiratory Arrest - Skin Effects - Laryngospasm
  - Pulmonary Edema - Airway Reactivity -
  Bronchospasm - Hypertensive Crisis -
• Manufacturers supplied inaccurate or incorrect
  information.

55
PPCT and OC Cont...

• FIRE IN THE EYES

56
Session VI

• Tactical Deployment

57
Tactical Deployment Cont...

• Tactical Scenarios
• Disruptive patron at bar.
• Emotionally disturbed male in hospital E.R.
• Male / Female fight in street.

58
Tactical Deployment Cont...

• Traffic stop for a broken taillight.
• Disturbance in the school parking lot.
• Female walking to her car at night.

59
Tactical Deployment Cont...

• To the lab for practice

60
Session VII

• Environmental Considerations for OC Deployment

61
Environmental Considerations of OC Deployment

• High Winds
• Strong gusts
• Spray upwind
• Secondary contamination

62
Environmental Considerations of OC Deployment

• Cold Weather
• May freeze
• Not as effective
• Unaware of exposure
• Winter Clothing

63
Environmental Considerations of OC Deployment

• No Wind
• Secondary exposure
• Rain
• Recovery time
• Secondary exposure
• Water ineffective

64
Environmental Considerations of OC Deployment

• Buildings
• Consider near by building before deploying

65
OC and Animals

• Defending against attacking animals
• Working dog considerations
• OC will not effect a task oriented dog such as a
  police dog until the dog has completed its task.
  The effects afterward will be detrimental

66
Session VIII

• Decontamination of OC

67
Decontamination of O.C.

• Remove the contaminated subject from the
  contaminated area.
• Establish verbal rapport.
• Have subject stay still.

68
Decontamination of O.C. Cont..

• Face subject into wind
• If practical, apply water to the subjects face
  and eyes before transporting.
• Have subject breathe normally
• Dont use any lotions, salves or creams on the
  effected areas.

69
Decontamination of O.C. Cont...

• Wet paper towel pressed followed by a dry paper
  towel.
• Some decontamination products available

70
Decontamination of O.C. Cont...

• A non-oil based soap, shampoo or detergent can be
  used.
• Pat area dry with paper towels, do not rub as
  this can irritate the area more.
• Contact lenses
• If recent eye operations of occurred, the
  subject should contact their eye specialist at a
  later date. Not a priority at this time.

71
Decontamination of O.C. Cont...

• Major symptoms should disappear within 30 to 45
  minutes. If major symptoms persist, seek medical
  attention immediately.
• All subjects will have a burning on their face
  similar to the symptoms of a sunburn.
• It should be noted that fairer skin parties tend
  to take longer to decontaminate.

72
Decontamination of O.C. Cont...

• Transporting contaminated subject.
• Open windows

73
Decontamination of O.C. Cont...

• Decontamination of equipment, vehicles
  buildings.
• OC is biodegradable
• Decontamination in approx. 1 hour
• Wash with soap and water
• Machine wash or dry-clean uniforms

74
Decontamination of O.C. Cont...

• Medical considerations during decontamination.
• Supervise for at least 2 hours.
• Inform jail staff of the occurrence.
• (Anaphylaxis) occurs in approximately .005 of
  the general population.

75
Decontamination of O.C. Cont...

• Treatments can range from O2 to Epinephrine.
• If blistering like burns, should receive medical
  treatment for burns. Only after completed
  decontamination.
• Before applying any ointments completely
  decontaminate.
• Unconscious, seek medical attention immediately

76
Decontamination of O.C. Cont...

• Medical personnel should evaluate any person who
  requests medical treatment.
• Asthmatics are at a high risk of complications
  from OC inhalation and should be closely
  observed.
• OC mist foggers or full cone sprays risk of
  inhalation injuries.

77
Exposure During Training

• I carry a gun but I dont have to be shot with
  one.
• Trainers and departments alter or limit
  exposures. The paper cup test and the dab
  test.

78
Exposure During Training

• Limited exposures provide a great disservice to
  the officer.
• Full exposures lend credibility to the officers
  future testimony!

79
Exposure During Training

• Full exposures create compassion.
• Exposures meet requirements for skill based
  training.

80
Sudden Custody Death Syndrome (SCDS)

• Not only does Law Enforcement have to deal with
  the problem of Sudden Custody Death Syndrome a
  real problem, but it seems that it must also deal
  with a new misnomer, Police Custody Death
  Syndrome, that incorrectly infers that the
  syndrome is specifically related to the police.

81
Sudden Custody Death Syndrome (SCDS)

• The victims - THOSE INDIVDUALS WHO DIE FROM
  (SCDS) - have levels of identifiable foreign
  agents in their systems that trigger abnormal
  behavior, actions, reactions and personal
  conduct. They die in ambulances, emergency
  rooms, trauma centers, and under the immediate
  care of trained and highly skilled medical
  personnel.

82
Exposure During Training

• Lets go out and get sprayed!!!