If the wind shifts during an OC deployment, what should the officer do?

• A. Increase spray rate to overcome wind.
• B. Move closer to subject.
• C. Ignore wind changes.
• D. Pause or stop spraying, reposition relative to wind, re-evaluate, resume only when safe and targeted.

Answer: (D)

Wind shifts change where OC spray goes, so the priority is to manage the spray path for safety and accuracy. Pausing or stopping the spray gives you a chance to stop exposure, reposition your stance or body so the wind carries the spray from you toward the subject rather than back toward you or bystanders, and reassess the situation. Re-evaluating includes checking your distance, line of sight, the subject’s position, and nearby people or obstacles, ensuring you can deliver a directed, controlled hit. Only when you’re confident you can hit the target safely and effectively should you resume.

Cranking up the spray rate won’t fix drift and can actually raise the risk of unintended exposure and collateral damage. Moving closer doesn’t solve the wind issue and can increase your own risk, and ignoring the wind is unsafe. Properly accounting for wind direction and ensuring a safe, targeted application is the key to a responsible and effective deployment.