Here is the real information that Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC woman leader passed on to Activists for change supporters in what has turned out to be a treasonable case according to Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura.
Turinawe says that dictators across the world uses tear gas to intimidate people striking to achieve democratic leadership. She says that tear gas is packed in either metallic or plastic canisters. The good news, according to Ingrid is that tear gas effects are temporary and don’t kill.
She says that experts from USA have taught A4C how to protect themselves from tear gas. Ingrid urges all people taking part in demonstrations not to smear their bodies with oils, lotions or detergents because they can trap the chemicals thefore prolonging the exposure.
She says that people caught up in tear gas should move with a bottle of water, soak a bandana, a scarf or a handkerchief into lemmon juice and go with it. She says that a person can move with several as multiple uses will render it as gassy as the air around you. You can also keep it soaking in polythene until you need it. Move with onion, a lemon or tomato.
What to do when tear gassed or pepper sprayed
Don’t panic, stay calm, don’t run, remember that the effects are temporary. Blow your nose, cough and spit. Use your bandana soaked in lemon juice, to tightly cover your nose and mouth. Use swim goggles to cover your eyes (if you have them). Sniff onions close to your eyes. Use thick gloves to throw back the metallic tear gas away. Using bear hands is not safe. Though with a plastic canister, bear hands can work. Turinawe says that it is not advised to wash your face with water against pepper spray.
By Walakira Nyanzi
