Take care of yourself and your neighbors!
As you join the collective to make a mark on the future through protest, it’s important that you stay safe! And if you want to offer help to others who may be experiencing a health emergency, you should be prepared for that too.
A few of us being prepared can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe. This page lists some of the situations and types of emergencies that can happen during a protest along with steps you can take to help.
Take some time to review and bookmark this page. It can come in handy to keep yourself and neighbors safe.
If you have any suggestions, write to phmusa@phm-na.org
Preparing to go
Dress to protect yourself! Think about your surroundings, the weather, how much will be walking or standing. Make sure that what you’re wearing keeps you comfortable and protected.
Wear long sleeves and pants so your skin is less exposed to sun, chemicals, and scrapes.
Wear layers.
Wear good shoes that you can walk in for a long time or run in.
Wear water-based sunscreen (oil-based sunscreen may trap chemicals such as pepper spray).
Dress appropriately for the time of day, weather, length of event, etc.
Do not wear contacts. Carry an extra pair of prescription glasses if you need them.
Do not wear tampons if you are menstruating; it may be a long time between bathroom breaks, especially if you are arrested.
Several things may seem necessary or cool, but be sure that you know how to use it. Packing things we do not know how to use wastes space and energy. When packing your kit remember the basics of what really lets us help people.
Some of the basics you might want to take with you are:
Your knowledge and skill (and knowing your limits)
Cell phone to call for additional resources
Nitrile gloves for touching people you help
Snacks–lightweight, nutritious, protein-rich
A power bank to charge your phone
A change of clothes
A buddy!
Other things that may be helpful:
Abdominal pad(s)
Antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly
Antiseptic spray
Baby shampoo and/or irritant spray decontamination wipes
Bandaids – different sizes and butterfly
Bottled water
Coban/Vetrap bandages
CPR pocket mases
Gauze squares
Hand sanitizer
Instant cold packs
Medical tape
Rolled gauze
Superglue
Trauma shears
From the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
Consider leaving your cell phone behind. If you do need to bring one, you can purchasing a prepaid mobile phone.
Disable fingerprint or face recognition to unlock or access other information on your cell phone. Enable passcode to unlock your device. Choose a strong passcode.
Install Signal for texting, calls, and group chats. Signal is a text messaging and voice/video call app that makes sure your communications are secure. It collects less data about your communications (metadata) than other apps, which protects your privacy. It also operates between different types of operating systems (eg, Android, iOS).
Make sure you know how to take photos or video on your cell phone without unlocking your device.
Put your phone in airplane mode, turn off Wi-Fi, and turn off the location features that can be used to track you.
Use an offline maps app, such as Organic Maps, OsmAnd, or Magic Earth, to find your way around. Make sure to download a map of the protest area beforehand.
Walk or bike to the protest, if possible, to minimize surveillance risks. If you are concerned about surveillance or being tracked by law enforcement, consider the following:
If possible, do not drive to the protest so that your license plate (along with time, date, and location) is not recorded and shared with law enforcement.
If you take public transport, remember that your payment cards are linked to you. Use cash if possible.
If you take public transport, remember that your payment cards are linked to you and your transit pass may be linked to you as well. Use cash if possible.
From the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
In the US, the right to protest is most strongly protected in public places such as streets, sidewalks, or parks. Your right to protest is also likely protected in other public places, like government buildings, if you are not blocking access to the building or interfering with what the property was designed for. On private property, the owner may set rules for speech.
It is not required to have a permit to march in streets or on sidewalks as long as the protest doesn’t block traffic (cars or pedestrians). However, if you don’t have a permit, police officers can ask you to move to the side of the street or sidewalk to let traffic through or for safety concerns.
You have the right to photograph anything in plain view when you are present lawfully in a public place. On private property the owner may set rules to limit photography or video.
Police officers may not take or demand to view your photos or videos without a warrant. They may not delete data either.
If you are arrested:
Stay calm and keep your hands where they can be seen. State that you are not disrupting anyone’s activity and that your actions are protected by the First Amendment.
Do not argue, resist, or obstruct the police even if you believe they are violating your rights.
Ask if you are free to leave, and if the officer says you are walk away calmly.
You do not have to consent to the police searching your person or your belongings.
The police may pat you down over your clothes if they think you have a weapon. If you are under arrest they may search you.
If you are under arrest, you have a right to ask why. Say you wish to remain silent and immediately tell the officers you would like a lawyer.
You have the right to make a local phone call, and the police are not allowed to listen if you are calling your lawyer.
If you think your rights have been violated try to document the following information and file a complaint:
If possible, write down everything you remember. Be sure to get the officers’ badge, patrol car numbers, and the agency(-ies) they work for.
Get contact information from as many witnesses as you can.
Take photographs of any injuries you may have sustained.
Providing care to others
Direct, firm pressure will stop almost all bleeding, even large, heavily bleeding wounds. If the person is bleeding from the head, do not apply pressure if you suspect a possible skull fracture.
Raise the injured part so it is above the level of the person’s heart.
Grab the cleanest piece of cloth you can find nearby, fold it to about the size of the wound, and press it directly and firmly on the wound. If the wound is large, put the gauze or cloth into the wound.
Show the injured person how to apply pressure themselves, if they are able.
Keep pressing until the bleeding stops.
Do not remove the cloth if it becomes soaked with blood. Instead, add another cloth on top. For a large wound, do not lift your hand off until at least 15 minutes has passed, even to check if it has stopped bleeding. Do not attempt to use a tourniquet except in the most extreme cases (gushing, not controlled with direct pressure), as they may cause tissue damage or worsen the bleeding if applied incorrectly.
Any of the following are signs of significant head injury, and you should seek immediate medical intervention:
Pupils uneven in diameter or not reactive to light
The person is not alert or well-oriented
The person cannot follow simple instructions (raise three fingers) or answer easy questions (what city they are in right now).
If there is an explosion, such as by an explosive device or a high-voltage electrical shock, check for any of the following:
Obvious external injuries like burns, wounds, fractures, leg injuries
Trouble breathing
Shock
Depending on the type of injury you can help the person according to instructions in other parts of this guide.
Rubber Bullet, Police Baton, Shield, Rocks, Trampling
Rubber bullets, tear gas canisters, water cannons, and batons are all used to cause bleeding, broken bones, or injuries inside the body. Injuries to the eye and head can be severe. Examine the person head to toe. Watch for signs of internal bleeding or shock: feeling faint, pale skin, dropping blood pressure and a weak, fast pulse.
Soft tissue injuries: For soft tissue injuries with bruising, tenderness, or swelling, offer an ice pack, if available. If there is significant pain or tenderness in the abdomen, seek medical attention in case of internal bleeding.
Chest injuries: For injuries to the chest, make sure breathing is normal and not painful. Seek medical attention if breathing is not normal or is painful.
Fractures: For fractures, or suspected fractures, splint in a position of comfort, if possible. Check for sensation in the relevant hand/foot after splinting to ensure circulation to the far end of the limb was not cut off when splinting. Remove anything constricting, such as jewellery and watches as these can interfere with circulation. You might also pinch a finger/toe, and if it goes from white to pink fast then that is a good sign. For arms/shoulders, you may be able to secure the injured arm to the body with gauze or fabric to minimize movement.
If chemical burn is involved, be careful to not contaminate yourself.
Minor burn
For a minor burn, immediately pour cool water over the burned skin for 15 to 30 minutes. This will cool and clean the skin and help reduce the pain.
Try to help the person by:
Stop the burn. This may mean using cold or cool water (not ice), getting the patient out of the sun, or removing the chemicals causing the burn.
Evaluate the size of the burn. If it has a red flag, send on for further care.
Remove anything constricting, such as jewelry and watches, from the area of the burn. These can interfere with circulation when the area swells.
Once the skin has cooled down, consider using soothing agents such as ching wan hung or aloe.
Give patient aftercare instructions, including attention to hydration and keeping the area clean.
Dangerous burn
If the person has a dangerous burn, they should be seen by an emergency responder or in the ER. Give small sips of water frequently if the person is alert. Cover the area of the burn with a very clean cloth. Avoid immersing the burn in cold water—it can make the body temperature drop too low and the person can become dangerously cold. Try to calm the person.
Dangerous burns includes burns that are:
Black or white in the middle
On the face, hands, feet or genitals, or affecting a joint
Larger than 5 times the palm of the person’s hand or covering 10% or more of the body
Go all the ray around a limb or digit (arm, leg, finger)
Experienced by a very young or very old person, or someone who is very susceptible to infection
DON’T STAND STILL OR SIT DOWN! Make as much personal space as you can by keeping your arms at your side, bending your elbows and pushing out. Keep moving in the direction of the crowd. Work your way diagonally across the crowd, toward the outside where the flow is weaker.
Don’t stop or stand near temporary structures, which could collapse under the weight of a crowd.
If you drop something, don’t try to pick it up. Bending or getting your fingers stepped on or trapped will increase your risk of being pushed to the ground. Let it go and keep moving!
If you fall or are pushed down, try to get back to your feet as quickly as possible. If someone is willing and able, extend an arm and ask for help getting back on your feet.
If you fall and can’t get up, keep moving! Crawl in the direction of the crowd until you can get back up.
If you fall and cannot get up at all, curl up in a ball to create an air pocket and cover your head. Keep your back facing up, protecting your head and face with your hands and arms.
Crowds tend to surge or pulse. Wait until a lull in the pressure or flow to try to get back to your feet.
If possible, help the person who has fainted to the ground to minimize injury. Stimulate the person vigorously (yelling, briskly tapping). Try to get EMT attention immediately if they do not respond.
Go through an initial assessment:
Airway: Check to see if there is anything blocking their airway
Breathing: Make sure the person is breathing by watching for chest rise and fall. If they are having trouble breathing the person may hold her arm firmly against her chest, lay on one side, or brace her hands on her knees (tripod position). Encourage a position that eases breathing and do not force a patient to move. Keep the patient calm and give encouragement.
Circulation: Check for pulse and any bleeding.
Disability: Assess the person’s level of responsiveness (fully conscious, only responds to verbal or painful stimuli, not responsive)
Expose: Uncover any areas that have been injured to assess the extent of the injury. If you are not aware of any injuries, give a quick head-to-toe check to see if there is anything you may have missed.
After the person recovers, encourage them to lie down with their feet up until medical help arrives. Even if you believe the cause of the fainting is harmless, the person should try to lie down for 15-20 minutes before attempting to get up again.
Ask about any persistent symptoms such as headache, back pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, weakness, or loss of function, because these may indicate a life-threatening cause of the fainting. Pass this information along to medical personnel when they arrive if the person is unable.
If it is hot out, move them to shade if possible. People with heat stroke often present with hot, dry skin. If you suspect heat stroke, cool them down with damp clothes on the back of the neck or front of check. If they are able, have them take sips of water or electrolytes.
Bleeding from the head
If you are sure the spine is not injured, ask the person to sit up, or prop them up, to decrease bleeding. Use pressure to stop the bleeding, then wash the wound well before closing it with sutures or glue. If you have no supplies you can tie the hair together across the wound to help keep it closed.
If the head is cut open, look for injury to the skull underneath. If you believe there may be an opening into the skull, do not apply direct pressure to the wound and prioritize getting them medical care as soon as possible.
Brain injury
If a person shows any of the following signs try to get immediate help from an emergency responder or other healthcare professional available:
Unconsciousness
Severe or worsening headache, changes in vision, loss of balance
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion, personality changes, aggression
Very slow, very fast, or changing (irregular) heart beat
Fast, shallow breathing or breathing that is irregular (sometimes fast, sometimes slow)
Warm, flushed skin
Seizures
Blood or clear fluid leaking from the ears or nose
Consider immobilization for possible spinal injuries. Get all pressure off the spine. Have them lay flat and immobilize their neck. Hold the c-spine which aligns their neck to their spine to reduce further injury. (See section on Spine & Neck Injury)
If you can stay with the person, monitor them for worsening signs:
Have them sit (if possible) and try to relax
Converse with them to assess alertness and cognitive ability
Ask them to remember a word and ask them later
Try to get away from where tear gas or pepper spray is being used.
Wearing a bandana soaked in water or vinegar over your mouth and nose can give you some protection. Consider carrying irritant spray decontamination wipes for use as well.
Don’t touch tear gas canisters with your hands because they are hot and will burn you.
Tear gas can wear off quickly but pepper spray can last for an hour or more. If someone gets pepper spray or tear gas in their eyes or on their skin:
Encourage the person to cough and sneeze.
EYES: Remove contact lenses if they are wearing any. Flush with lots of water or saline to provide some relief. Encourage the person not to rub their eyes as the oil-based spray will simply be spread around. Clean contact lenses if the person plans on putting them back in.
BODY: You can use water or soap to try to wash the spray residue. If available, using tearless baby soap will minimize further discomfort. You may also want to remove clothes that have the chemicals on them.
A person may experience a high level of stress during a protest event, and it can lead to trauma. Trauma creates a rupture in a person’s sense of self, worldview, or view of the future. Psychological first aid provides supportive, emotional care to individuals who have experienced traumatic events.
If someone may be experiencing psychological stress and/or trauma, you can try to help them by doing the following:
Introduce yourself
Remove the person from the source of stress/trauma
Separate the calm from the panicked
Try to keep bystanders away
Help the person feel safe, calm, and comfortable
Tell the person that you are there to help
Offer them food, drink, or tissues
Keep the focus on them (not on you)
Do not lie or misrepresent the situation
Consider physical contact (ask if you can hold their hand, hug them)
Try to get the person to speak
Use grounding techniques
Encourage them to breath slowly
Have them describe what they feel (physically) and what they see
Help the person identify what they need and create a plan to meet those needs
Enable the person’s self sufficiency
Help them determine their immediate need
Help the person find the people they came with or connect them to other support
If you think someone is suffering from shock check to see if the person is breathing. If they’re not breathing, start CPR if you know how to do so. If the person is breathing, check their breathing every five minutes until help arrives.
If the person is awake and doesn’t have a head, neck, spine or leg injury, lay them down on their back with their feet elevated about 12 inches. Don’t elevate their head. If raising their legs causes pain, lay them flat.
Make sure the person is warm and comfortable, and loosen any tight clothing. If the person has any visible wounds and you know how, give appropriate first aid and try to control any bleeding.
If the person starts to vomit, drool or bleed from their mouth, roll them onto their side to prevent choking. If you suspect a spinal injury, be sure to “log roll” them to keep their head, neck and back in line, rolling their body and head together as a unit. Place something under their head to keep their spine aligned.
Some things you should not do as part of first aid shock treatment include:
Do not give the person anything by mouth, including food or drink.
Do not move the person if you suspect they may have a spinal injury.
Do not move the person unless they’re in danger.
Do not wait for mild shock symptoms to worsen before calling for help.
Minimizing movement, especially lateral movement, is important to reduce the likelihood of further spinal injury. If you need to move someone, try to pull them straight back to avoid excess spinal movement.
If you suspect a neck injury, gently hold the person’s head straight with hands on either side of their face, until medical help arrives.
Signs of spine injury:
Pain or tenderness along the neck or spine
Weakness or loss of movement in the arms or legs
Numbness in the arms or legs
After the Protest
When you get home, you should decontaminate your clothing and equipment if riot control agents, such as tear gas, pepper spray or other chemicals, have been used.
Remove all clothing that may have been contaminated by the chemicals used. Depending on how much of the chemical you were exposed to. For mild contamination washing your clothes (including multiple times) may be ok. The safest thing to do, especially if you were directly exposed, is putting your clothing in a plastic bag and throwing them away.
Wash your skin and hair to remove residual chemicals from your hair and skin.
You should also check and decontaminate your supplies and equipment to avoid using contaminated items during your next protest. Be sure to replace and restock anything that is contaminated or otherwise damaged.
Check in with your buddy. You might call or send a text asking if they are ok. If events at the protest were stressful, trauma-inducing, or violent, try to talk about it with your buddy. Don’t force the conversation if it seems they don’t want to talk about it yet.
Let your emergency contacts know you made it home safe; they may be worried about you. And if you are someone’s emergency contact, consider checking in on them.
Debrief about the action with your organizing group or collective If you are part of one. During a debrief, you all can talk about what went well, things that could have gone better, and prepare for next time.
Follow up with organisers of the protest to ask if there are more actions you can support and get involved in. They may also have suggestions for how you can continue to put pressure on leaders to push for more just law and policy.
Eat, hydrate, and relax. Drink cool water, electrolytes, and have a simple, balanced meal.
You may want to stretch to help alleviate muscle tightness if it was a long day, if you were tense, or if you exerted yourself more than usual
Do something that you enjoy or that you do to relax, either with friends or alone.
Seek help or support for your own mental health, if needed. You may experience strong reactions to the stress brought on during a protest or to witnessing violence, and symptoms may show up later or linger for a while. This is called secondary trauma. If you experience any of the following, you might consider contacting someone for support:
Difficulty concentrating or persisting in tasks.
Feelings of numbness, hopelessness, of being overwhelmed.
Experiencing trauma imagery- not just media or memories, but visualizations of described events.
Physical and emotional hyper vigilance for threats or danger.
Physically or emotionally withdrawing from others particularly salient for vicarious trauma among community/family/friend “rocks” or helpers and may be harder to detect.
Spiritual doubt and worry.
Fundamental shifts in beliefs about the world, people, and the future.
This REACT Online video explains how to help yourself or someone you care about cope in healthy ways after a distressing life event (such as a trauma, assault, or loss).
Learn and prepare more!
This page was made using several trusted guides and resources that street medics and first aid responders in low-resource settings rely on. To learn and prepare more, you can read those too.
Chicago Action Medical. Street Medic Handbook
Håkan Geijer. Riot Medicine (First Edition, First Revision)
Håkan Geijer. Riot Medicine Field Guide
Hesperian. Promoting Community Mental Health. Chapter 2: Stresses affect mental health–Trauma
Hesperian. NEW Where There Is No Doctor. Chapter 3: First Aid.
Hesperian. NEW Where There Is No Doctor. Chapter 3: First Aid-Police Weapons
Loyola University Counseling Center. Secondary Trauma & Our Loyola Community
Melbourne Street Medic Collective. Street Medic Pro-Tips: Medical and First Aid Support at Protests and Direct Actions
Minnesota Department of Education. The ABCs of Managing Secondary Trauma: Awareness, Balance, and Connection
Contributors
Leigh Kamore Haynes, JD, MPH researched, compiled, and wrote this guide. Brett Zimmerman, EMT, MPH contributed information and reviewed it for accuracy and best practices. Further review from Charles Cane III, BSN, RN, Emily Cane, BSN, RN, MPH, and Kelley Haynes-Mendez, PsyD.
