With anti-Trump protests ramping up, I’ve seen some misinformation being spread even by people with good intentions. So here’s a quick correction on what the science says about dealing with tear gas 🧪 https://skepchick.org/2025/06/how-to-actually-deal-with-tear-gas/
Since we're talking about tear gas,, the most effective technique for neutralize canisters that I've seen was in Hong Kong in 2019. People worked in groups of two. Both had either respirators and goggles or full face respirators.
One person had heavy welder's gloves for picking up the hot canisters. The second person had one of those heavy duty rubberized dry bags like you use for river rafting, the kind with the Ziploc-type quick closure. You can get these at any REI, outdoor supply or river rafting supply store. The bag would be 1/3 filled with water.
The team would run toward a canister that had hit the ground, open up the bag, throw the canister in the water and quickly seal the bag until the canister was extinguished in the water.
This takes some planning and logistics, but it was incredibly effective.
(The second most effective was in Quebec city during the FTAA protests in '02 where people dumped buckets of snow on top of tear gas canisters.).