With the many
different brands of OC and OC/CS on the market today, there are surprisingly few
solutions—other than large amounts of cold water. Fox Labs, a Michigan-based
manufacturer and an international marketing company, has introduced Sudecon, a wipe which
decontaminates (without water) a person sprayed with OC and CS.
DESCRIPTION
Similar to a wet wipe you get at a
restaurant, Sudecon is a cloth-type paper wipe 7 1/2 X 11 1/2 inches containing a
non-tearing liquid solution.
Sudecon packets are sold individually, and you will need at least two packets to complete
the decontamination process. The directions are easy to follow. First you tear off the top
portions of a pouch and remove and unfold the damp cloth. Immediately place the towelette
over your face and thoroughly wipe the OC and CS off your face, eyes, nose and mouth (you
may notice the white towelette change color—this is the OC/CS being removed).
With eyes closed, using a second fresh towelette, squeeze towelette over
the eyes allowing membranes to absorb the solution. (Squeeze towelette to extract
solution.) It is of the utmost importance to squeeze the towelette over the eyes while
allowing the liquid to flow around the eyes. After doing so, lay towelette over face to
soothe burning sensation. Then continue to wipe the OC and CS off your face, concentrating
on your eyes, nose and mouth. Do this until you can voluntarily open your eyes. Do not use
water with the towelette; it will only dilute the decontamination formula.
Note: Some of the OC and CS will still be in your respiratory system, but you will
experience a recovery of vision and the coordination of your eyes within 7 to 15 minutes.
TESTING
AND EVALUATION
I received outstanding results when
evaluating Sudecon. None of the subjects assisting me had ever been exposed to a chemical
agent. All were sprayed using one to three bursts (1/2 to 1 second). Every subject sprayed
stayed contaminated for a period of about five to seven minutes to simulate the time it
would take a law officer to control, handcuff and search the contaminated subject. The OC
products used were MSI foam; Def-Tec Stream; PRO-AER fog/cone; Bodyguard stream; Punch
fog/cone; MSI fog/cone; First Defense fog/cone; FOX stream; Cap-Stun stream and MSI OC/CS
fog/cone.
The average recovery time (the amount of time it takes to be able to voluntarily open the
eyes) was between 12 and 15 minutes. The fastest time we had was 7.5 minutes and the
longest was 14.92 minutes.
Sudecon is a definite benefit to law enforcement agencies who deploy the use of OC,
OC/CS or other chemical deterrents. |
