Lethal Non-Lethal Weapons: The Deadly Effects of Tear Gas in Bahrain
By marcowenjones On July 22, 2011

Tear gas, or CS gas, has become part of the daily diet of many Bahrainis who continue to take to the streets in pursuit of their democratic struggle. The use of this so-called ‘non-lethal’ crowd control weapon has become increasingly controversial, not least because it has potentially resulted in the death of 6 Bahrainis, including 6-year-old Mohammed Farhan. More recently, however, it is believed by many to have been responsible for the death of 47-year-old mother-of-two Zainab Juma, who died last Friday following demonstrations in Sitra. If we include the death of Ahmed Farhan, who was apparently killed when a stun grenade exploded right next to his head, then about one in six people have so far died in Bahrain as a result of these ‘non-lethal’ weapons. It makes sense then to explore the nature of these weapons, who sells them, who is affected by them, and how ‘ non-lethal’ they really are.

Who has died?

Of the approximately 40 people who have died so far, the following are thought to have died from tear gas inhalation; Zainab Hassan al-Juma (47) , Sayad Adnan Sayed Hassan (44), Zainab al-Tajer, Mohammed Farhan (6), Isa Mohammed Ali Abdulla (71) & Khadija Mirza Al-Abdulhai (50). Here we can see that those killed by tear gas are not just the very young or the very old. Indeed, tear gas seems to be responsible for the death of people of all ages and both sexes. I’ll stop short of saying it affects all demographics, since I think it is safe to say that most of the dead are neither the rich nor the privileged. So why is a supposedly ‘non-lethal’ technology so deadly. Well there are a number of reasons – including the misuse of tear gas, the fact that tear gas manufacturers have a poor quality control system, the variable concentrations used by different companies and also the fact that CS (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile) is a potentially lethal chemical.

Misuse

While CS is itself a deadly chemical, it is made more deadly when those who use it are either poorly trained, incompetent, or malicious. Indeed ‘the notion that such chemical irritants are nonlethal
is based on an assumption that they are used in accordance with manufacturers instructions and not in enclosed space (1)‘. While there is considerable evidence that security personnel in Bahrain do not use it properly, it was most striking last Friday when a riot officer was seen throwing a tear gas grenade into a house and onto its roof, something which directly contradicts the manufacturers guidelines. While it is hard to tell exactly what make that particulary grenade was, it would be safe to say it was either a Triple Chaser manufactured by Defense Technology/Federal Labs, or the Triple Action CS grenade sold by the ironically named ‘NonLethal Technologies‘. Incidentally, a Triple Chaser (so called because it breaks into three pieces when used) was thrown into the compound of Nabeel Rajab – Bahrain’s outspoken human rights activist. Footage of the effects of tear gas in Bahrain can be seen in this video, which shows a woman choking after it was fired into the narrow, enclosed streets of Jidhafs. Another video appears to show someone collapse after a sound bomb exploded right next to him.
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Defense tip – vulnerable windows can be protected with “mesh wire”

To protect your eyes and lungs from tear gas, get a gas mask with shatter-proof lenses. US M17 masks are good. Less obvious and cheaper than a gas mask is a bandana soaked in vinegar – or even carrying around a fresh lime with a hole in it so you can re-soak your banana in lime juice! Always have back-up and pre-soaked bandanas in a zip-lock bag. Just apply it to your mouth to breathe through when tear-gas starts coming at you.If you want to have armor of some type for defense, you can do-it-yourself.

An outer hard layer of cardboard or plastic with a soft inner shell of foam works well,bonded with duct-tape. However, it most important to cover your most easily damaged parts – your joints and necks. Joints can be covered in foam and then duck tape, and with padded gloves to defend your fingers. A rubber glove over the top of that will allow you to pick up hot tear gas canisters and throw them back.

Your neck can be defended in the back some hard shell that is connected to a helmet, or a scarf. Your head is definitely you’re the part of your body that needs the most
defense. Bicycle helmets are light but don’t protect the back of your head or face, so something like a football helmet (mask removed) or motorcycle helmet works well. Hardhats and hockey masks are cheaper – just make sure to attach with sturdy elastic.

Marching Tactics

Marches should have a clear starting point and an ending point. Marches can also be used as launches for more sketchy activity such as “break-away marches” to commence some direct action or Reclaim the Streets. Marches usually require tough banners, and these banners can be some of your best defense against police assaults while giving your march cohesion. Banners can be tough if they are made out of vinyl, not cloth or paper – and should be painted well in advance so the paint is dry. Banners linked with thick PVC piping (of at least in inch thickness on the top), available from any hardware store, can provide backbone that won’t break easily under police assault. PVC piping can be segmented and combined with various types of joints to make open square banners also. Tall banners (with eye slits or scouts) will defend you against projectiles such as rubber bullets but lower ones allow you to see where you’re going. Banners on the side are also important to protect the
flank, and since the police usually also come from behind back banners or puppets are useful. Flags with PVC poles also work well, and can be used defensively to poke the toes of oncoming opponents. Use banners to defend yourself against cops and their chemical attacks! …source Action Direct Manual – Sections HERE

Protection Against Riot Control Agents(RCA)

* Dispose of contaminated clothing properly.

* Riot control agents can sometimes cause severe respiratory distress in those with asthma. If you are asthmatic, you should let your companions know before riot control agents are released so that they can administer treatment and help you to safety. The use of asthma medications such as inhalers can help alleviate breathing difficulties resulting from exposure.

* Turn parts of the body that have been exposed to RCAs toward the wind (as long as you are upwind of the point of release). The wind will help carry the chemicals away from your body.

* Wash your body with castille soap before potential exposure to RCAs.

* If you want to keep clothes that have been exposed, seal them in a plastic bag and wash them with detergent in hot water. Always wash contaminated clothing separate from other clothes. Hang them outside to let them air out for 2 or 3 days before wearing again.

* If skin blistering occurs, treat as you would a second-degree burn. For relief of persistent skin symptoms, apply calamine lotion, Burows solution, colloidal oatmeal, or a topical corticosteroid.

* If you use a vinegar-soaked cloth in place of a gas mask, you may want to use it over a dust mask, since inhaling the vinegar fumes can be unpleasant.

* If pain in the throat makes breathing difficult, gargle with water. Spit out the water–do not swallow it. Do this only if you are able to do so without choking.

* In the event of a terrorist attack or military strike in which toxic chemicals are released, it is important to determine which chemicals have been used. While riot control agents are heavier than air, some other, more toxic, gases–hydrogen cyanide, for example–are lighter than air. Furthermore, the methods of treatment vary considerably depending on what chemicals the victims have been exposed to.

* Some people develop a heightened sensitivity to tear gas after one exposure, so that if they are exposed again, more serious health problems may result.

* If temporary blindness or impaired vision develops be careful moving about. Your natural instinct will be to run away as fast as you can, but if you can’t see clearly, you may injure yourself running into traffic or a stationary object.

* The mass panic that results in a group of people exposed to riot control agents can cause a dangerous stampede. Be careful not to lose your footing, or you may be trampled, especially since others may be partially blinded.

* If you are wearing a gas mask, make sure you know how to remove it quickly. If you are exposed to RCAs before you put your mask on, or if your mask is not functioning properly, you may vomit, and if you can’t get your gas mask off you could choke.

* Extended exposure to high concentrations of RCAs, such as that which may occur if they are released indoors, may cause long-term respiratory problems or death.

* Avoid touching exposed materials. Wear rubber gloves to handle contaminated clothes or when assisting an RCA victim.
…source

Police Tactics and How To Defeat Them
The local, state and federal governments have unlimited tax dollars to use to control crowds at demonstrations and insurrections. We must develop ways to combat these technologies, and although we are in reality in a fight against technology, it would be naive to think we can use spears against these maniacs. Therefore, we need to find ways to eliminate police tactics. The following information are some common used tactics and best effective ways to beat them.

Riot Cop Gear and Equipment
To crush protests, police departments all over the world have invented countless methods. Some are new, others only adaptations of battle tactics from the ancient times. Just as importantly, new and much improved equipment has been issued to riot police squads, making them nearly unstoppable. On the right you can see how a regular American riot cop looked like at Seattle. In most European countries, similar equipment is used, although full body armor is not standard yet, therefore Plexiglas shields are used.

Much like a renaissance knight, a modern riot cop is wearing full body armor, heavy boots and a large helmet completely encasing the head and neck. He is practically invulnerable even to the hardest punches and kicks, as well as moderately protected against fire. Armed with a long baton and those killer boots, he can attack aggressively and efficiently.

What makes such a riot cop really effective, though, is constant radio communication. As you can see from the picture, each cop has two radio sets, one in the helmet and another for backup. This allows the riot police to coordinate their moves and sweep the streets with ease. If extra firepower is necessary, they can fire tear gas, rubber bullets or even deploy armored vehicles and water cannons.

Police Tactics and Their Defeat

Anyone with some knowledge of history can clearly see that most crowd control tactics are simply copied from ancient warfare. Riot police fight much like a Macedonian phalanx would back in 330 BC. There are adaptations, of course, but the basic concept is the same, meaning that similar countermeasures that had caused the demise of the phalanx as a military unit would have a similar effect if deployed nowadays against the police.

Most of the time, riot police are deployed in a long line formation, usually standing in front of important buildings or blocking streets. When these line formations are present, they are usually just one man deep, especially when they stand to protect property (see picture). These line formations only work when each officer is standing side by side to eachother. When dealing with narrow paths and small sidewalks, large obstacles (barricades) will split these line formations and cause their entire formation to fall apart.
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Tear Gas Self Protection and Decontamination

The first thing to remember about exposure to these chemical weapons is that it is not the worst thing that could happen to you. The hype and fear surrounding them is enormous, but in reality, if you are careful and smart, you should survive it with little problem. This information is the result of conversations with experts and prior experience.

1. How They Are Deployed:

Tear gas and pepper spray can be sprayed from small hand-held dispensers or large fire-extinguisher size tanks. Pepper spray also comes in plastic projectiles which are fired at the chest to knock the wind out of a person, who then takes a deep breath of pepper from the burst projectile. Tear gas is most commonly deployed via canisters, which are fired into crowds, sometimes directly at people. It’s important that you know not to pick up the canisters without gloves as they are extremely hot. Be aware that the time it takes you to throw it will allow you to be heavily exposed.

2. How They Affect Humans:

Both tear gas and pepper spray are skin irritants, causing burning pain and excess drainage from eyes, nose, mouth and breathing passages. Pepper spray is more popular with authorities as an agent of control because of its immediate pain-causing qualities. It is harder to remove from the skin and has the capacity to cause first degree burns.

If you are exposed to either tear gas or pepper spray, you may experience:

* Stinging, burning in your eyes, nose, mouth and skin
* Excessive tearing, causing your vision to blur
* Runny nose
* Increased salivation
* Coughing and difficulty breathing
* Disorientation, confusion and sometimes panic
* Intense anger from pepper spray exposure is a common response; this can be useful if you are prepared for it and are able to focus it towards recovery and returning to the action. Channel your anger, release it from your system, avoid holding it in.

The good news is that the above effects are temporary.

Discomfort from tear gas usually disappears after 5-30 minutes, while the worst pepper spray discomfort may take 20 minutes to 2 hours to subside. The effects of both diminish sooner with treatment. Because pepper spray penetrates to the nerve endings, its effects may last for hours after removal from the skin.

3. Avoid Inaccurate & Dangerous Treatment Myths:

There are many myths about treatment and prevention. Much of this misinformation is potentially dangerous. Some of it, if applied, could greatly increase or prolong a person’s reaction to exposure, or at the very least provide a false sense of security.

4. When to Prevent Exposure:
For most healthy people, the effects of tear gas and pepper spray are temporary. However, for some people the effects can be long-lasting and life-threatening.

People with the conditions listed below should be aware of these risks and may want to try and avoid exposure. Please be aware that in intense actions such as police behavior can be unpredictable, and avoidance is not always possible. Those with the following health conditions should avoid entering crowds where there is risk of exposure to these substances.
Conditions:

* Folks with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, etc. risk exacerbation, or permanent damage if exposed.
* Vulnerable people such as infants, the elderly, and the immune compromised, risk intensified and possibly life-threatening responses.
* Anyone with chronic health conditions or those on medications that weaken the immune system, (ie: chemotherapy, Lupus, HIV, radiation, or long-term corticosteroids such as prednisone) risk exacerbation of illness, intensified response and possible delayed recovery.
* Women who are or could be pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant, may be at risk of spontaneous abortion, or increased risk of birth defects.
* Nursing mothers risk passing toxins on to their infant.
* Folks with skin conditions (ie: severe acne, psoriasis, or eczema) and eye conditions (i.e.: conjunctivitis or uveitis) risk an intensified response.
* People wearing contact lenses may experience increased eye irritation and damage due to chemicals being trapped under the lenses.

5. Protection:

* Avoid the use of oils, lotions and detergents because they can trap the chemicals and thereby prolong exposure. Wash your clothes, your hair and your skin beforehand in a detergent-free and unscented soap.
* We recommend using a water or alcohol-based sunscreen (rather than oil-based). If your choice is between oil-based or nothing, we advocate using the sunscreen. Getting pepper sprayed on top of a sunburn is not fun.
* We also recommend minimizing skin exposure by covering up as much as possible. This can also protect you from the sun, as can a big hat, baseball cap or bandana.
* Gas masks provide the best facial protection, if properly fitted and sealed. Alternatively, swimming goggles (with shatter-proof lenses), respirators, even a wet bandana soaked in vinegar over the nose and mouth will help.

6. What to DoWhen Exposed:

* STAY CALM. Panicking increases the irritation. Breathe slowly and remember it is only temporary. Educate yourself prior to going out, to know what to expect, and thereby reduce the likelihood of panicking.
* If you see it coming or get a warning, put on protective gear, if able, try to move away or get upwind.
* Blow your nose, rinse your mouth, cough and spit repeatedly. AVOID SWALLOING.
* If you wear contacts, try to remove the lenses or get someone to remove them for you, with CLEAN, uncontaminated fingers. AVOID WEARING CONTACT LENSES BEFORE GOING OUT.
* DO NOT RUB IT IN.
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Lawyers file ICC lawsuit over Bahrain
shiapost | July 22, 2011

A group of international lawyers have officially filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Bahraini regime for its violent crackdowns on peaceful anti-government protesters.

In the complaint that was filed on Wednesday, the lawyers have described the Manama regime’s systematic killing of peaceful protesters in the Persian Gulf country as a clear crime against humanity, a Press TV correspondent reported.

The group called on the ICC to deal with rights violation in Bahrain in a similar fashion as the international body did in the case of Libya.

The ICC recently issued arrest warrants for the Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi and his top aides, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity.

The complaint came as the Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on the same day condemning the Al Khalifa regime’s brutality, stressing, however, that the regime does not take international condemnation seriously.

Since mid-February, thousands of anti-government protesters have been waging protest rallies in Bahrain, demanding an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty.

In mid-March, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates deployed their military forces in Bahrain to assist the Manama regime in its brutal crackdown on popular anti-government protests.

Scores of protesters have been killed — many under torture — and numerous others detained and transferred to unknown locations during the regime’s brutal onslaught on protesters. …more

KSA deploys more troops in Bahrain
shiapost | July 23, 2011

Saudi Arabian troops in Bahrain (file photo)

Saudi Arabia has deployed more forces in Bahrain in an attempt to further help King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s crackdown on anti-government demonstrators.

The convoy of the Saudi armored vehicles arrived to the crisis-hit Bahrain on Saturday, Rasad News reported.

Meanwhile, a new footage has emerged showing the Al Khalifa regime’s continuing its brutal crackdown on the demonstrators.

The anti-regime protesters have been rallying in Bahrain since mid-February, demanding an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty, which has ruled the Persian Gulf country for over 40 years.

In mid-March, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates deployed their first batch of military forces to the Sheikhdom.

Scores of protesters have been killed — many under torture — and numerous others detained and transferred to unknown locations during the regime’s brutal onslaught on protesters.

Manama rulers have even engaged in arresting rights activists, opposition figures, journalists, former lawmakers, senior clerics, doctors and nurses.

According to Bahrain Center for Human Rights, a non-governmental organization, there are currently over 1,000 political detainees inside the country.

Additionally, both the United Nations Human Rights office and Amnesty International have criticized the Al Khalifa regime for its violations of international law by brutally cracking down on peaceful protesters and activists.

Bahraini activists say their protest campaign will continue until the nation’s demands are met. ..source