On the 20th of July, thousands of citizens marched towards the Parliament as part of a weeks-long protest organized at Jantar Mantar to demand accountability for lapses in the educational system. The march was met with lathi charges and tear gas from the police force. Several accounts of injury and use of disproportionate force have been reported by various media platforms. Many of these accounts of injuries have been witnessed or documented by doctors present at the protest site and at hospitals. By late evening, protestors had regrouped at the original protest site of Jantar Mantar, where activists continue to protest. 

As public health workers who have been trained as physicians, the violence meted towards protestors by the state has led to difficult conversations. We alternate between hope at the sight of students uniting and distress at the sight of unrestrained violence against them. As practitioners of critical thinking, we also welcome the dialogue and debate this protest has generated. However, we firmly believe that citizens exercising their democratic rights have a right to protection from physical and mental  harm, and must be provided recourse to safety and medical care. This piece is a practical how-to guide, for people at the protest, and for those that seek to help them.

 

Immediate injury care and first aid

Tear gas exposure: 

  • Do not touch, pick up or throw a canister that has just been thrown. Tear gas is released from a chemical reaction in which powder and crystals turn to vapor in a chemical reaction. This reaction causes the canisters to become hot. These hot canisters have been known to explode and cause trauma, even loss of fingers has been documented. 

  • Move to fresh air and higher ground if possible, since the gas settles low. 

  • Don't rub your eyes-  this can spread the irritant and worsen burning. 

  • Blink rapidly and let tears flush the eyes naturally, or rinse gently with clean water or saline from the inner side of the eye, tilting the head backwards so runoff doesn't flow into the unaffected eye or back toward the face. 

  • Remove and place contaminated clothing in a bag without shaking it out, and shower with cold water.

  • If you experience breathing difficulty, wheezing, or any chest tightness that persists beyond a few minutes, seek medical attention, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions.

Tear gas is a misnomer, tearing and eye irritation is only one of the effects of this chemical weapon. Its health effects have not been studied well and it can have other harmful health effects also. Avoid contact as much as possible; decontaminate at the earliest (by removing and sealing your clothing and taking a shower with cold water).