The wet or acid soaked bandana to mitigate tear gas and pepper spray is not generally worth the time and effort. Do carry a clean, dry bandana, preferably in a zip bag in a pocket -- it makes a good emergency bandage. But most tear gasses are microcrystalline in structure, so breathing them through a wet cloth makes it worse, because the water makes it liquid and more mucous-membrane permeable. Vinegar doesn't help, either -- while acid can counteract most gasses, you need a strong acid solution, well above the 5% household level. Vinegar is still mostly water, and a strong enough acid will hurt as much as it helps.
Carry goggles. Swim goggles are fine, steampunk with rubber edges are lovely if that's your aesthetic. Swims go in pocket, steams go on head like a headband. Protect your eyes so you can see so you can GTFO of the cloud. Get to high ground or upwind. Stay alert and stay calm. Also carry a NIOSH rated particulate filter in your closest pocket to your non-dominant hand -- you don't need the whole mask, just one filter, because you're going to be holding it over your mouth while you GTFO. You put it in your palm, pinch your nostrils shut, and breathe through your mouth. It's a PITA and it won't last long, but you only need a couple minutes. Even a formed dust mask and safety goggles are a better bet.
Don't wear contacts. Just don't. If you get punched, a torn contact can penetrate/scratch/tear your cornea and the gasses or sprays can get trapped under them, making eye irritation worse. Wear glasses. The chances are extremely high that any blow will knock your glasses off, rather than breaking them on your face and into your eyes. (Especially with modern lenses.)
Keep with your group, have your protest buddy. Closed toed, sturdy shoes or boots -- boots especially if you're prone to twisting your ankle -- and sturdy trousers (jeans okay, BDU pants better). Light, loose layers are your friend. If you're expecting wet weather, go for wool, silk and polyester close to the skin -- cotton holds water, so it promotes hypothermia. Wear layers, preferably ones you can bear to abandon -- if an outer layer gets gassed, you want to be able to ditch it, instead of keeping it on you. If you have a balaclava or a running buff, keep it handy -- buff around neck, bala in pocket. Pin or braid hair close to your head -- ponytails are handles. Remove facial jewelry -- that's a handle, too. Take as little with you as possible. If you have a spare, older phone and can switch your SIM card into it, take that, or get a burner and 20 minutes of air time. Memorize critical numbers. The only number you write on your body with permanent ink is your lawyer's number. If you need to coordinate numbers with other protesters, use a chalk marker or a lip/eye pencil, because that can be rubbed off. Enough cash to get to safety (bus fare, cab fare), ID, water. If your phone uses a fingerprint unlock, change it to passcode or passphrase. You can be forced to give up a fingerprint. You can't be forced to speak a code.
If you're accompanying someone vulnerable -- a child, someone with a chronic illness or injury, or any other vulnerability -- stick close to a non-violent organization (find the Quakers). Let Bloc do the front-line work. That's their role, they've practiced for it, and they know the risks. They're your accomplices, so trust them to do the job.
Look at a google map of the route. Go walk it beforehand, if possible, and look for potential points of kettle. Those will be blind alleys, cul de sacs or any public space that can be turned into a contained space. Try to look at the space within 12/24 hours of the march/protest -- if the cops are planning a kettle, they'll have barriers pre-positioned. If you know it's possible and the march is getting herded, drop out. Resistance means showing up, and being able to keep showing up. Doing a fade before things get bad means you are available for next time, and aren't wasting the meantime with court appearances or trying to make your budget stretch to cover bail and a lawyer's hourly rate.
DC is least likely to get rough; followed by NYC and SF/LA -- cameras. Other cities -- you know your locals. If they're in a foul mood, take it into account. For the most part, a one-off protest isn't likely to get rough, because cops have a level of patience with us bleeding hearts. It's when we stick around for days or weeks that they get annoyed.
Read Cory Doctorow's Little Brother and Homeland for modern resistance ideas. Protesting has changed even since the AIDS days and the WTO. It's nothing like the late 60s.
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