Defensive OC Spray Flashcards
What is the name of the OC Spray ?
It is the first defence Mk 3 spray
The OC defensive sprays selected for issue to operational personnel are:
- First Defence Mk3 .4% Major Capsaicinoid Content
- Issued to Uniformed Police
- Height approx. 11cm, 3.8 cm diameter, Formulation weight 42 grams.
- Water based
- Oleoresin Capsicum spray in a 20 % solution
- Does not contain an ultraviolet dye
- Streamer type unit capable of a number of short bursts. - Maximum range of 3.5 metres
- Shelf life – 5 years.
OC Defensive Spray as a Tactical Option
Factors that can and should be taken into account when deciding what tactical option to adopt include:
- Size - disparity or difference between officer and subject/s - Special skills of officer and subject/s e.g. martial arts
- Age - disparity or difference between officer and subject/s - Sex of officer and subject
- Multiple subjects or subjects in the vicinity
- Multiple police in the vicinity
- Proximity of subject to a weapon (firearms, knife, officer’s firearm) - Member injured or disabled
Operational Considerations: Deployment Indoors
The room size
Exits
Air conditioners
Deployments outdoors
Wind
Rain
Are you allowed to deploy your Oc spray in vicinity of horse and police dogs
No you are not allowed while they are in the vicinity and can cause harm and hinderence to their tasks
When not to use your spray in situational circumstances?
Operating machinery
From a certain height
Operating a car
Not for punishment and negation-able circumstances
What is the tactical movement of the OC spray and are you allowed to use your OC spray while running?
Spray Move Asses
No do not run or move while spraying the OC spray.
Seven Steps of Defensive Spray Decontamination:
- Control subject /offenders who have been sprayed, using verbal communication and physical restraint
- Instructions to the subject/offender to remain calm and not to rub the eyes, and tell them they must obey all instructions
- Removal of affected person from the spray area to an area of fresh air, reducing the possibility of secondary contamination
- Reassurance that the effects will wear off shortly and that you have the knowledge and ability to help them
- Decontaminate using procedures such as applying cool water to affected areas. More extensive decontamination, such as showering, can take place when operationally safe
- Medical seek assistance from ambulance or hospital casualty staff
- Observe the person until the effects have worn off
The minimum distance of spraying where practicable is and the range of the spray?
Is at the subjects face and is 90cm in distance to ensure full effect and it has 3.5 m spray distance.
Other considerations for the OC spray are?
Spray
You must be aware police officers are not immune from the effects of OC Spray. You may become exposed to OC Spray under the following situations:
- Having OC blown back into your face by the wind when spraying a subject/offender - As a back-up officer when coming into contact with airborne OC
- Spray particles when in the vicinity of a subject who is being sprayed with OC
- Contact with the contaminated areas of a subject who has been sprayed with OC
Medical symptoms that indicate an extraordinary effect of OC Spray might include:
deteriorating consciousness
rapid breathing rate (more than 20 breaths per minute)
shallow, restrained or difficult breathing lasting more than two to three minutes
audible wheezing or noisy breathing
blue discolouration of lips and tongue (cyanosis)
chest or neck pain
profuse sweating
vomiting or sever dry retching
Prisoner Management Considerations
When you take a prisoner, who has been exposed to OC Spray to a charging station inform the custody manager or person in charge:
- The prisoner has been exposed to OC spray. - Time of the exposure to the spray.
- Approximate amount of OC spray used, e.g.: how many bursts used of what duration, approximately.
- Normal effects observed following exposure to the spray.
This information is to be recorded in the custody record on COPS so it can be easily referred to by officers who are, or might, become responsible for the custody and management of the prisoner.
