What practice is recommended to minimize exposure to bystanders when deploying OC spray?

• A. Deploy toward bystanders to warn them.
• B. Deploy in a controlled direction to cover more area.
• C. Deploy in a random direction to avoid predictability.
• D. Clear the area of bystanders or deploy in a controlled direction away from others and upwind.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is controlling where the spray goes to protect people who aren’t the target. The safest approach is to either clear the area of bystanders or deploy in a controlled direction away from others and upwind. Clearing the area removes the risk entirely for bystanders. If clearing isn’t possible, directing the spray away from people and choosing an upwind path helps ensure the wind carries the irritant away from others, reducing unintended exposure for bystanders and for you as well.

Deploying toward bystanders would increase their exposure, and deploying in a random direction is unpredictable and risky. Even deploying in a seemingly “controlled” direction to cover more area can still put bystanders in the spray if the direction isn’t carefully chosen and wind conditions aren’t accounted for.