What is the recommended way to wash someone’s face and eyes exposed to CS?

Washing the face and eyes exposed to CS gas requires a careful approach to ensure that the chemical is effectively neutralized and removed from the skin and mucous membranes. The recommended procedure is to rinse the affected areas with water for about 10 minutes. This duration is crucial, as it allows for sufficient time to flush out the irritant from the eyes and skin, reducing the severity of symptoms like burning and redness.

Using water for an extended period is particularly important because CS gas can adhere to the skin and mucous membranes, causing continued irritation if it is not fully rinsed away. The longer rinse helps to ensure that all traces of the gas are removed, minimizing the risk of lasting discomfort or injury.

Some of the other methods, like using soap and water or saline solutions, do not specifically address the urgent need for rapid and thorough rinsing that plain water provides. Furthermore, saline solutions, while useful in some contexts, may not be as effective in quickly flushing away the irritant as plain water when immediate action is required. This makes the method of washing with water for about 10 minutes the most effective and recommended option in such situations.