What is the recommended duration for irrigating eyes/skin with water after OC spray exposure?

• A. Irrigate eyes/skin with water for 15+ minutes
• B. Rinse with cold water for 2 minutes
• C. No irrigation necessary
• D. Use warm compresses for 5 minutes

Answer: (A)

When OC spray exposure occurs, the priority is to flush the irritant out with clean running water for a long enough time to remove the capsaicin that’s causing the burning. Irrigating eyes and skin for at least 15 minutes helps dilute and physically wash away the chemical, which reduces irritation and potential injury. For the eyes, use a gentle flow of water, keep the lids open, and continue flushing (removing contact lenses if present) until the burning eases. For skin, rinse and then wash with soap and water to remove any remaining residue. Rinsing for only a short period, skipping irrigation, or relying on warm compresses does not effectively remove the irritant and leaves symptoms unresolved.