https://www.fiftyfifty.one/ Facemask. Scarves or bandanas large enough to cover your face from nose to chin can serve as substitutes. Shatter-resistant eye protection (e.g. shatter-resistant sunglasses, swim goggles, or a gas mask) Clothing covering all your skin as much as possible Comfortable, closed, protective shoes that you can run in AVOID wearing contact lenses, which can trap irritating chemicals, such as tear gas powder, underneath. If you do wear contacts lenses, keep a full facial gas mask or goggles on at all times. AVOID wearing makeup such as eyeliner, for the same reason. What to bring to a protest: Water in your own plastic bottle with a squirt top (to drink and to wash off your skin or eyes) A backpack or a drawstring bag – rather than an over-the-shoulder or a cross-body bag – in case you need to run Identification and/or emergency contact information (consider writing this on your skin) Cash for food and transportation or cash bail, in case you are arrested. Check how much bail is in your location. Inhaler, epipen, and several days of prescription medication, in case you are arrested A medical alert bracelet or information about any chronic medical conditions or allergies A change of clothes, in case you are exposed to chemical irritants Get out of the cloud of tear gas and away from the general area as soon as you can. Seek high ground, as most forms of tear gas are heavy; the closer you are to the ground, the higher the concentration of gas. Walk, don’t run. Running may cause you to breath more heavily, filling your lungs with more tear gas. Try to keep your breathing even. If your eyes have been exposed and are burning or blurry, flush them with water immediately. Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Use water from your water bottle to flush. If you can find an open drinking fountain or sink in a public restroom, flush your eyes with water for 10 to 15 minutes. There is no evidence that baking soda or milk is better than cool water alone. There is one small randomized controlled trial that found that baby shampoo is no better than water. Using baby wipes or makeup wipes if water is not immediately available may cause increased irritation. If possible, and you are not affected yourself, help others by moving them to a clean and ventilated area. Do not try to remove the tear gas canisters, as doing so may put you at an increased risk for further harm and injury. How to further get rid of the chemical irritant: Change your clothes as soon as possible. Rinse your body as soon as you get to a location with a shower. Take off your shoes outside your home to keep them from bringing any powder indoors. Helmets: Helmets can provide protection against certain types of projectiles and impacts. However, they may not offer complete protection against all types of bullets. Last resort: Improvised shielding In an active shooting situation, if no hard cover is available, some objects may offer a small degree of protection. This should be considered a last resort. Heavy books, logs, or thick layers of material: These items may slow down a bullet but are unlikely to stop it entirely. Improvised shields: Rioters in the 2014 Ferguson protests used makeshift shields made of plywood or other similar materials to protect themselves from rubber bullets. While this may offer some protection, it is unlikely to stop a live round. Beloud