From Tear Gas to the DShK: A Close Examination of the Tools of Repression and a Guide to Care and First Aid S. Rouzbeh ۱۸ بهمن ۱۴۰۴ An examination of the tools used to suppress crowds, from chemical irritants and impact munitions to water cannon and the DShK, alongside basic guidance on reducing harm and providing first aid. From Tear Gas to the DShK: A Close Examination of the Tools of Repression and a Guide to Care and First Aid S. Rouzbeh Introduction After every wave of violence, the government has one immediate aim: to restore the scene to normal, even if normality is merely a mask. This mask is fashioned from a combination of narrative-building, displays of control and hard tools—from smoke, gas and blows to water cannon and, at times, the presence of weapons designed entirely for war. In this grey zone, society needs two things at once: a precise understanding of the tools of repression for documentation and accountability, and knowledge of the basic principles of care and first aid to reduce irreversible harm, particularly eye injuries and severe bleeding. What point of violence does what is presented as crowd control reach in practice, and why does the boundary between low-risk and deadly disappear in the streets? Which tools are inherently designed for crowd control, and which are weapons of war whose presence sends an unmistakable message of threat? Why are eye injuries repeated in crackdowns, and what common mistakes make the situation worse? When faced with smoke and irritants, which measures genuinely help, and which merely create an illusion of safety? And in the first minutes after a gunshot wound or penetrating injury, exactly what should those around the victim do to control bleeding and get them to medical care with as little further harm as possible? Tools of Repression What is seen in the streets is usually a chain of measures. The first layer consists of irritants, referred to in public health literature as riot-control agents: substances such as CS and CN, often dispersed into the air as particles or powder, which cause burning eyes, tearing, coughing, and irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. The important point is that these substances are not simply a means of intimidation; if used in enclosed spaces, dense crowds, or by firing canisters directly at people’s bodies or faces, they can cause severe and lasting harm. The second layer consists of launchers and impact munitions. 37- or 40-millimetre launchers can fire smoke canisters or canisters carrying irritants, and some systems also use impact projectiles. The danger peaks when they are fired directly or at close range rather than on an arc from a distance, especially when the head and eyes are targeted. Alongside these are formations and equipment for applying physical pressure: riot shields, batons, helmets and face shields, body armour and limb protection. The purpose of this kit is to coordinate the movement of the forces, hold the line and apply pressure in stages, dispersing the crowd and making rapid arrests more likely. The third layer comprises vehicle-based tools such as water cannon. A water cannon is not a simple device for getting people wet; it is a high-pressure pumping system that can project a large, fast-moving jet of water from a distance. By knocking people down, causing secondary injuries, and even creating risks of hypothermia and impact injuries, it can turn the scene in favour of the forces carrying out the repression. And then there is the point at which crowd control begins to speak the language of war: the DShK. The DShK is a heavy machine gun chambered for 12.7 × 108 mm ammunition, capable of being mounted on a tripod or an armoured vehicle, and designed for heavy supporting fire—not street control. When such a weapon is seen in an urban setting, its message is not merely technical; its psychological message is unmistakable: a shift from the logic of policing to the logic of the battlefield. Preventive Measures and Care When faced with smoke and irritants, the most important principle is neither heroism nor home-made tricks. It is to minimise exposure and leave the cloud. Public health sources emphasise that moving into fresh air, getting away from the area, and washing the eyes and skin with plain water and soap are the core measures for care. Removing contaminated clothing can also reduce exposure, since the substances settle on fabric and may be dispersed again as it moves. The eyes are a red line. If something has struck the eye or there is a possibility of penetration, the eye must not be rubbed or interfered with, and no attempt should be made to remove the object. In such a situation, lightly covering the eye and seeking urgent medical care are essential. If the problem is chemical irritation or a particle, with no sign of an embedded object, prolonged rinsing of the eye with clean water can help. Official guidance in the UK and first-aid sources repeat the same principles: no rubbing, no interference, and, in cases of penetration, no removal of the object. But when someone is struck by a military bullet or sustains any penetrating injury, time is measured in seconds. The main killer in the first minutes is bleeding. Standard first aid says to apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a clean, lint-free cloth, and not to release the pressure. If the dressing becomes soaked, place a fresh layer on top of it; do not remove the original. These measures are not treatment; they only buy time until the person can reach medical services. If an object is lodged in the wound, it must not be removed. At the same time, signs of shock must be taken seriously: paleness, cold skin, extreme weakness and confusion. In this situation, keeping the person warm and transferring them quickly are vital. For volunteer first-aiders, the best approach is a simple sequence: first ensure the rescuer’s own safety, then quickly assess consciousness and breathing, next control bleeding, and pay particular attention to the eyes throughout. This approach depends neither on equipment and weapons nor on slogans; it rests on common sense and a few medical principles. Conclusion Understanding the tools of repression is not merely about naming weapons; it is about making the boundaries clear. Gas, impact munitions and water cannon are officially described as crowd-control measures, but when they are used with direct fire, in enclosed spaces, or extensively and disproportionately, the result can be blindness and death. And when a weapon such as the DShK enters the picture, its message is that the government has moved beyond the logic of public order and towards the logic of war. In such circumstances, two responsibilities arise at once: accurate documentation for accountability, and the promotion of care and first aid to reduce casualties. There is no contradiction between the two; one preserves the truth, the other saves lives. Source: https://srouzbeh.com/en/posts/archive-e17d7f46-68d7-e93e-ae88-0f2f0b4d9a65 Please credit the author and link to this edition.