Spit Restraint Device™ Instructor

Scientific Research Complete
​IPICD staff conducted primary research to determine the liquid impedance of several "spit masks" on July 14, 2021. All "testing" was video recorded. IPICD funded this scientific study of popular spit masks available in the United States to evaluate their effectiveness at stopping spittle that pose dangers to LEOs and others. This seminal study’s findings, coupled with spit mask air flow findings from another study, provide objective scientific data and other information about spit masks and how they can be used in de-escalation tactics. Many thanks to Safariland and to Stearns Wear for donating their products for testing.

Findings from the seminal 2021 IPICD spit mask survey (n=523) done in collaboration with the Americans for Effective Law Enforcement (AELE) found approximately 42% of respondents never received spit mask training, even though approximately 85% of them reported their law enforcement agency authorized their use. Approximately 51% reported they were never tested about spit masks. 
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Putting spit masks on individuals by law enforcement officers (LEO) is a use of force requiring compliance with Constitutional standards of care, and with any applicable more restrictive state statutory or regulatory standards. Surprisingly, approximately 68% (n=357) of survey respondents did not know or believe that applying a spit mask is a use of force. 

Following a March 2020 high profile, temporal, arrest-related death of an agitated and combative person where a spit mask was applied by an LEO, “spit hoods” arose again as a hotly debated controversial device. The agitated person’s causes of death included Excited Delirium and “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.” A natural sequel to the IPICD “Recognizing and Managing Abnormal Breathing” tuition-free User-Level program, this approximately four-hour long Spit Restraint Instructor qualification program consists of 14 lessons that discuss the following topics:
  • Spit mask definitions, nomenclature, and purposes
  • Hooding: A brief history 
  • OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
  • Scientific studies of disease transmission via aerosol, saliva, biting
  • Spit Mask scientific study findings
  • Spit mask legal update, including manufacturer warnings
  • Spit Masks: Designs and use considerations
  • Spit Masks: application guidelines, deviations, and medical issues
  • Spit Masks: Policy, procedure, and/or rule recommendations
  • Spit Masks: Training recommendations (documentation, medical, etc.)
  • Spit Masks: Assessing Learner competency (Resourced-based learning)
  • Spit Masks: Case Studies

Approximately 40% of IPICD spit mask survey respondents are interested in taking spit mask instructor training. Based upon this response, the IPICD staff believe it has a social responsibility to provide a peer-reviewed, timely, objective, legally-, scientifically-, and evidence-based program to help save lives, to help save careers, and to help save money by minimizing or avoiding costly litigation. 

Delivery formats: Virtually Instructor-Led (live) or ON-DEMAND.

Length: Approximately 4 hours.

Cost:  $95 per person. Includes lesson guide, Learner Companion™, reprinted articles, sample User-Level assessment, microlearning videos, and qualification certificate after successfully completion of an online assessment and spit mask demonstration video. Price increases January 1, 2022.

Required materials: Agency-authorized spit mask, computer with sound, computer monitor, internet access, keyboard, mouse (touch screen), comfortable chair or seat, printer, video recording device, and writing instrument for taking notes.

Upcoming Dates

October 6, 2021
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