How to Relieve the Pain of Bear Mace

Written by Kenneth W. Michael Wills

27 July, 2017

Bear Mace is not meant for use against humans. It is a pepper spray that is stronger than the Mace pepper spray formulated for self-defense against humans, so the effects are multiplied. Those physiological factors include headaches, dizziness, tightness of the chest, restriction of breathing, burning and tearing of the eyes, burning and discharge of the nose, and burning and stinging or the skin around the sprayed area. As painful as the effects of coming into contact with bear Mace may be, it is possible to relieve them.

Calm the subject and aid his breathing by assuring him you know how to relieve the pain and symptoms. If the subject cannot breathe or is gasping violently for air, immediately call 911.

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Expose the subject to fresh air immediately. Seek out a breeze or blow a fan on the person.

Flush the affected area of the skin or eyes with cold water for 15 minutes. If the subject is wearing contact lenses, clean your hands then remove the lenses before flushing the eyes.

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Clean affected skin with a non-oil-based or cold cream-based soap. Any other product will amplify the burning sensation and spread the pepper spray.

Remove all clothing contaminated by the bear Mace and seal it in a plastic bag for transport.

Go to the emergency room after you relieve the initial symptoms to seek medical attention. Bear Mace can leave third-degree burns and requires medical treatment.

Tips

Do not rub the infected area, especially the eyes. This will only exasperate the burning and spread the Mace.

All persons attending to a subject exposed to bear Mace should wear rubber gloves to avoid contaminating themselves.

Warnings

Spraying a subject, except in case of self-defense, can result in criminal charges in many U.S. states. This includes testing bear pepper spray on a human subject with the persons permission, especially if the person suffers acute medical conditions or if the incident results in death.