Being present

The golden rule

Give Care, Take Care.
Spread Calm and Do No Harm.

What to wear

  • Comfortable, protective shoes that you can run in
  • Clothing covering all your skin to protect from sun and pepper spray exposure.
  • Shatter-resistant eye protection (i.e. sunglasses, swim goggles, or gas mask)
  • Weather-related gear (i.e. rain gear or sun hat)
  • Fresh clothes in plastic bag (in case yours get contaminated by chemical weapons)
  • A cap or a hat to protect you from the sun and from chemical weapons

What to Bring

  • Lots of water in a plastic bottle with sport-top, to drink and to wash off your skin or eyes, if needed
  • Energy snacks
  • Identification and/or emergency contact information ONLY if you want to be cited out of jail in the event of arrest
  • Just enough money for pay-phone, food, transportation
  • Watch, paper, pen for accurate documentation of events, police brutality, injuries
  • Water- or alcohol-based sunscreen
  • Inhaler, epipen, insulin or other meds if applicable
  • Several days of prescription medication

Things to avoid

  • Do not intentionally put people at risk who have not chosen it.
  • Do not turn people over to the police.
  • Do not let people within our own groups interfere with other groups.
  • Respect the work of all medics, legal observers, independent media people.
  • Don’t put vaseline, mineral oil, oil-based sunscreen or moisturizers on skin as they can trap chemicals.
  • Don’t wear contact lenses, which can trap irritating chemicals underneath.
  • Don’t wear things which can easily be grabbed (i.e. dangly earrings or other jewelry, ties, loose hair).
  • Don’t go to the demo alone, if you can help it. It is best to go with an affinity group or some friends who know you well.
  • Don’t forget to eat food and DRINK LOTS OF WATER.

Things to keep in mind

  • If you are a person not coming from a marginalized background don’t center yourself. If you are white and at a BLM protest listen to folks of color and don’t speak over them. Apply this logic to actions centering similar dynamics (e.g. queer, immigrants, women).
  • Listen to marginalized groups if they ask you to do something, but make sure you are capable of taking on that role safely in a way that you are not a danger to yourself or others.
  • Be aware that if you are visibly outside the community people may be skeptical of your involvement and that is ok.
  • Know your own comfort levels and respect them.
  • Don’t go alone. Move in groups. Have a safe space and exit strategy should things get out of control.
  • Be aware of your own self-care needs: water, food, and the space you need to feel safe.
  • Try not to involve yourself in the policing of other activists and behaviors. Check yourself first.

Caring for ourselves and others

Basic medical care

  • Before providing care ask for consent if the person is in a state where that is possible.
  • Be aware that some people may resist care initially or ideal forms of treatment. Keep an eye on them and circle back suggest but don’t force best practices.

Environmental exposure and pre-existing conditions

  • The most likely conditions that will need preventative and direct care are those associated with environmental exposure and preexisting conditions.

Environmental exposure

  • Sunburn
  • Heatstroke
  • Dehydration
  • Hypothermia

Pre-existing conditions

  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Anaphylaxis Shock
  • Heart Attack
  • Shock
  • Seizures

Caring for these conditions

  • Basic first steps include removing someone or yourself from potential for further harm and seeking an elevated level assistance from a designated street medic.
  • For heat related conditions hydrate and get them or yourself to a cool place.
  • If symptoms intensify seek an elevated level of medical care immediately.

Police violence

  • Pepper Spray
  • Tear Gas
  • Blunt force trauma

Caring for these conditions

  • Seek a street medic.
  • Do not move someone if they have have blunt force trauma wound to the head or spinal cord.
  • Otherwise attempt to remove them or yourself from exposure to further harm.
  • Remain calm and breath deep. Remember and remind that the pain will subside.
  • For chemical agent injuries:
    • Remove contacts if the injury is to the eye.
    • Flush skin or eyes with water.
    • Remove clothing that has been contaminated.
  • For blunt force trauma.
    • Seek elevated care.
    • Control bleeding by apply direct pressure. Use a dressing and your gloved hand to apply firm and direct pressure to the injured area.
    • Continue to hold the pressure until the bleeding stops.
    • If there are multiple wounds, apply pressure dressings to the worst injuries first, and then to the lesser bleeding injuries