MACE and Pepper Spray on Ambulances

The carrying of MACE and Pepper spray by EMT's, paramedics and hospital police should be prohibited.

Asside from the fact I see no known reason for an EMT or paramedic to be carrying a weapon on duty, these units are notorious for spontaneous discharge when subject to being subjected to being subjected to accidental banging or being slammed around. Units which have been previously discharged are particuliarly susceptible. The degree of hazard varies with the manufacturer of the unit, but there are no national standards for the valves. Initially Smith and Wesson Corporation manufactured these units, but there are dozens of brands, some from China, with varying designs of valves. There is no system for inspecting these units carried by either the hospital police or EMT's at the beginning of a tour and I have seen them on a belt with the plastic safety hinge broken off. The "extra large" so-called "forty-shot" units have gained increased popularity.

This problem is significant during disasters when a paramedic of EMT may be in a narrow passage way under a slab of concrete pulling someone out, in a shaftway, or in a situation where if he slips and falls the MACE or pepper spray will be slammed against a wall. Depending upon the vulnerability of the patient exposed to such a spray such a discharge unquestionably may result in death.

Over the years I have been present on three ocasions when these sprays discharged accidentally in the presence of a patient. In one case a paramedic fell down the stairs in a nursing home while moving an elderly patient with COPD. He carried an "extra large" unit on his belt, which began to discharge. In a second case a unit discharged when an ambulance slammed on it's brakes suddenly and the paramedic fell to the floor of the ambulance, slamming the MACE against the edge of the bench. The third accidental discharge was inside a police car.

I recently observed a paramedic employed by a municipality with an "extra large" container in a holster on his belt in an emergency room. I shudder to think of the problems that would be encountered by the accidental discharge of such a unit. I also see hospital police routinely carrying these "self-defense" devices.  These units have no place whatsoever inside a hospital.

[cloa513]

What with the large number of violent drug affected especially methaphetamine affected people that they face often- they definitely need protection. Domestic dispute situations can easily lead to people directing violence against paramedics. Hospital security can also help so much- protection is needed sooner than that and violent people can easily cause injury in such tight spaces and gain access to the many potential weapons in a hospital. The only issue should be what is a reasonable protection for such professionals that is safe for themselves and others. Maybe martials arts training or tasers would be more appropriate.

[caregiver222]

For inside a hospital the tasers are a far better idea that MACE or chemical spray.

In addition Mace does not help much to control patients who have ingested certain drugs, such as PCP.

The secondary problem is all the manufactured units are prone to valve failure and accidental discharge under inappropriate circumstances.

[rpooo]

In many cases Emt's/Paramedics are the first to arrive on a violent scene. The must have the ability to protect themselves. I think a taser or stun gun is more than appropriate a long with mandatory training.

Randy