How should OC be addressed when a subject is wearing protective eyewear or mask?

• A. Aim at exposed skin around the PPE if possible; anticipate reduced ocular exposure; follow policy on targeting.
• B. Aim directly at eyes through PPE.
• C. Ignore PPE and spray at the face anyway.
• D. Remove PPE by force.

Answer: (A)

When protective eyewear or a mask is in place, the barrier reduces OC from reaching the eyes, so the approach must adapt to still achieve effectiveness without trying to defeat the PPE. The best practice is to aim at exposed skin around the PPE and anticipate reduced ocular exposure, while following your agency’s targeting policy. This keeps you within safe, approved techniques and relies on whatever exposure routes remain available (such as exposed skin or mucous membranes around the face) rather than forcing OC through the protection. Spraying directly at the eyes through protective eyewear is unlikely to succeed and can be unsafe, and removing PPE by force is not an approved or safe method.