About OC FIRST AID

OC First AID was originally developed for professional use by law enforcement and military and now it is available to ambulance services, paramedics and emergency rooms. It is used as first aid after exposure to pepper spray and to clean objects that have been exposed to pepper spray.

The physiological effects of pepper spray are intense and its residue must be cleaned immediately. Pepper spray causes the inflammation of mucous membranes, resulting in immediate closing of the eyes, sneezing, coughing, and burning sensation of the skin. Its effects may last up to 60 minutes. Any object that has been exposed to pepper spray such as surfaces and furniture should also be cleaned to avoid further exposure for those who come into contact with it. In the past emergency personnel had to rely on water or saline solution for cleaning. However the chemical composition of pepper sprays are not water soluble, and therefore water has no effect on its breakdown. Water is a good source of washing and flushing of the eyes only after the pepper spray chemicals have been first removed from the individual or objects exposed.

Various formulation have claimed that they can decontaminate pepper spray but with no success. In the past some formulations have used aluminum sulfate and benzalkonium chloride which are usually used as antisepetic and for cleaning of wounds. Other brands have used dihydrogen oxide and herbal ingredients such as fagopyrum sagittatum gilib or helleborus caucasicus and takaxacum vulgare. These formulations have no direct effect on Capsaicinoids or oily resins naturally occurring in chili peppers. OC First Aid is the first of its kind where it completely breaks down and destroys the OC ingredient as illustrated in the following microscopic pictures at 1000 magnification.

Raw oc	Breakdown	Cleaned (specs are vegetable parts of capsicum)