Spit Hood Safe-Use Guide

Important Notice

This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, medical, or professional advice. Your organization is responsible for establishing its own policies, procedures, and training standards for the use of spit hoods. Always consult your organization's legal counsel, medical advisors, and relevant regulatory bodies before deploying spit hoods in any setting. Applicable rules and restrictions vary by jurisdiction across Canada and internationally.

What Is a Spit Hood?

A spit hood (also called a spit guard or spit mask) is a mesh or fabric covering placed over a person's head to prevent the transmission of saliva, blood, or other bodily fluids during a restraint or transport situation. They are used in some law enforcement, corrections, and security contexts in Canada and elsewhere.

Spit hoods are subject to strict legal, policy, and ethical frameworks. Their use is regulated or prohibited in various Canadian provinces and municipalities. Always review the laws and policies applicable in your jurisdiction before purchasing or deploying spit hoods.

Constant Supervision — Non-Negotiable

• Never leave a person unattended while a spit hood is in place. A person wearing a spit hood must be under constant, direct observation at all times.
• Assign a dedicated officer or staff member whose sole responsibility is to monitor the individual while the spit hood is worn.
• Monitoring must be continuous — not periodic checks.
• Remove the spit hood immediately if supervision cannot be maintained for any reason.

Respiratory Distress — Recognize and Act Immediately

The risk of respiratory compromise is serious. Personnel must be trained to recognize the signs of distress and respond without delay.

Remove the spit hood and seek emergency medical attention immediately if the person shows any of the following signs:

• Difficulty breathing, laboured breathing, or wheezing
• Complaints of being unable to breathe or feeling like they are choking
• Change in skin colour (pallor, blueness around the lips or fingertips)
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Seizure activity
• Any other sign of medical distress

Call 911 or your local emergency services without delay. Do not attempt to manage a medical emergency without qualified medical personnel.

Medical-Attention Exclusions

Spit hoods should not be used — or should be removed immediately — in any of the following situations:

• The person has a known respiratory condition (e.g., asthma, COPD, sleep apnea)
• The person is visibly intoxicated, unconscious, or has an altered level of consciousness
• The person is vomiting or has vomited
• The person has sustained a head or facial injury
• The person is in a prone (face-down) or other position that may restrict airway or breathing
• Emergency medical services have been called and are responding — remove the hood before EMS arrival whenever possible
• Any other condition that, in the judgment of personnel, poses a risk to the person's airway or wellbeing

When in doubt, do not apply the spit hood. Err on the side of the individual's safety.

Deployment Guidelines

• Follow your organization's approved use-of-force or restraint policy before deploying a spit hood.
• Placement should not obstruct the nose or mouth from the inside — the mesh/fabric should sit away from the face to allow airflow.
• Never combine spit hood use with other head or neck restraints unless your policy explicitly addresses that combination and it has been reviewed by appropriate advisors.
• Document all instances of spit hood use in accordance with your organization's reporting requirements.
• Communicate clearly with the person wearing the hood throughout the duration of use.

Duration of Use

• Spit hoods should be worn for the shortest time necessary to control the specific risk they are intended to address.
• Remove the spit hood as soon as the immediate risk has passed or upon arrival at a secure facility, subject to your organization's policies.
• Reassess the need for continued use frequently and at every handoff between personnel.

Storage

• Store spit hoods in a clean, dry location away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and contaminants.
• Inspect spit hoods regularly. Do not use a spit hood that is torn, soiled, or otherwise compromised.
• Follow the manufacturer's storage recommendations provided with the product.
• Keep spit hoods accessible to trained personnel but stored securely to prevent unauthorized access.

Disposal

• Spit hoods are generally intended for single use only. Do not reuse a spit hood that has been deployed on an individual.
• Treat used spit hoods as potentially contaminated with bodily fluids. Handle with gloves and dispose of in accordance with your organization's biohazard or sharps/waste disposal policies.
• Follow applicable federal, provincial, and municipal regulations regarding the disposal of potentially contaminated materials. Refer to Health Canada guidance and your local public health authority for current requirements.
• If unsure, consult your organization's health and safety officer.

Jurisdiction-Specific Policy Review

The use of spit hoods is regulated differently across Canadian provinces, territories, and municipalities, as well as internationally. Some jurisdictions have restricted or banned their use entirely following reviews by police oversight bodies and coroners.

Before purchasing or deploying spit hoods, review all applicable legislation, regulations, and policies, including but not limited to:

• Provincial police acts and regulations (e.g., Police Services Act in Ontario, Police Act in BC and Alberta)
• Corrections and conditional release legislation at the federal and provincial levels
• Use-of-force frameworks established by your provincial or territorial police oversight body
• Collective agreements and internal policies of your organization
• Recommendations from the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) or equivalent body in your province
• Guidance from the Canadian Human Rights Commission where applicable

Policies in this area are subject to change. It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that use of this product complies with all current laws and policies in their jurisdiction.

Training Requirements

Spit hoods should only be used by personnel who have received appropriate training. At minimum, training should cover:

• Your organization's use-of-force policy and legal authority for restraint
• Proper application and removal of a spit hood
• Continuous monitoring and recognition of respiratory distress
• Emergency response procedures, including CPR/AED if required by your organization
• Documentation and reporting requirements

KCS Supply does not provide training. Contact your provincial police training body, organization training division, or an accredited occupational health and safety provider for training resources.

Buyer Responsibility

By purchasing spit hoods from KCS Supply, the buyer acknowledges and agrees that:

• It is the buyer's sole responsibility to ensure that the purchase, possession, and use of spit hoods complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies in the buyer's jurisdiction.
• KCS Supply provides no warranty, express or implied, regarding the fitness of this product for any particular use or its compliance with any specific law or regulation.
• KCS Supply is not liable for injury, death, or other harm arising from the use or misuse of this product.
• Buyers should seek independent legal advice before deploying spit hoods if they are uncertain about the applicable legal framework.

Additional Resources

• Health Canada — for guidance on biohazard and waste disposal
• Your provincial Ministry of the Solicitor General or equivalent — for use-of-force and policing policy
• Your organization's legal counsel — for jurisdiction-specific legal advice

Last reviewed: October 2026. This guide is subject to change. KCS Supply reserves the right to update this content without notice. This document does not create any legal obligation on the part of KCS Supply.