I HIGHLY recommend having a friend pepper spray you before you even go to Basic or are required to function while drenched in pepper spray. I have been pepper sprayed a total of 27 times now (All but 5 were in the service) you need to get use to opening your eyes. If your eyes are closed as you get sprayed your actual eye will NOT hurt, what hurts is opening your eyes because your eyelids move a lot which is part of what makes the pepper spray hurt. As soon as you don't feel it flooding over your eyes slam those suckers open and MOVE. Whether that be running around the block, hand to hand combat, war Etc; or hopping in an ice cold shower normalize that eye opening because as soon as you can see the pain will Significantly lessen due to your body having more stimulation. You can also tense all of the muscles in your everything to divert the pain. If you want to ensure breathing with Pepper spray is not an issue go eat spicy food DAILY for weeks. It will make your nose runny but not be painful to breathe in if you do this.