

What You Need To Know About Pepper Spray

How To Use Pepper Spray Safely And Effectively

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Pepper spray is a popular means of self-defense in the United States and around the world. It is generally considered a non-lethal means of defense, although occasional fatalities have been reported. Pepper spray is available in tiny, concealable containers and even in hidden containers such as rings. Women are often advised to carry it when traveling alone, especially at night. Here is a guide to what you should know before you carry pepper spray.

How it Works
Pepper spray is available in a variety of spray patterns. Most sprays are aerosol, delivering a shower of individual droplets, however, a few sprays are available in a foam formulation. The most common spray pattern is the stream. It provides a continuous stream of spray as long as the button is depressed. You can use a stream against multiple attackers and around partial barriers. A stream is highly unlikely to blow back into your face except in extremely high winds.

A cone pattern is also effective in many circumstances. The directed nature of the spray makes it most effective against one attacker, but minimizes the chance of affecting you even if the spray blows back on you. However, in a moderate to strong wind the chance of blow back does exist.

Foggers are not generally appropriate for private citizen use. A fogger covers a wide area, making it a better choice for law enforcement uses such as crowd control. The chance of the user being affected is high due to the large area covered and the chances of blow back.

Foams are extremely effective, particularly if the victim wears glasses. The foam is sticky and hard to remove, and is likely to cover the glasses.
There is almost no risk of foam affecting the user. However, foams are not widely available to private citizens and may be illegal in some places.

Pepper Spray Strength
The sprays are available in a range of strengths, most commonly 1%-10% concentrations. In general, the higher the concentration, the more effective the product is. However, higher concentrations of spray are more likely to cause serious injury or even death. In many jurisdictions, law governs the maximum concentration.

In the United States, pepper spray is legal for adults over 18 in most states. However, its legality is dependent on state rather than federal laws. Be sure to check into applicable laws in your state. When traveling abroad, consider leaving your pepper spray at home. Many countries have much more stringent laws for possession than those of the United States, and penalties can be stiff. If you are concerned for your personal safety while abroad, check into defense-spray options that may be legal in that country. Also, keep in mind that pepper spray and other personal defense sprays are not permitted on airplanes in carry-on luggage. A small can may be allowed in checked baggage, but the rules change frequently so check with your airline before your flight.

Effects of Pepper Spray
Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent. The active ingredient is capsaicin, derived from chili peppers or cayenne peppers. It causes short-term blindness, skin and eye irritation, tears, spasms, and coughing.
Depending on the strength of the spray, the full effects generally wear off in under an hour. However, aftereffects may persist for several hours. In self-defense situations, the purpose of pepper spray is to incapacitate an attacker so that the victim can escape. Some personal defense sprays known as triple-action sprays also contain tear gas.

Pepper spray can cause serious complications or even death in people with asthma or otherwise compromised breathing. This is because the inflammatory effects of pepper spray can constrict breathing passages. In healthy people, the effects are usually crippling but not damaging.

First Aid
If you are a victim of pepper spray, nothing besides time will fully heal the effects. However, there are remedies that can minimize the spray’s effect. Capsaicin is not water-soluble, so flushing with large quantities of water will have little or no effect. Instead, the ingredient is soluble in fat and oil. Spicy food lovers have long prized dairy products for their heat-minimizing effects, due to the ability to neutralize capsaicin and related ingredients. In an emergency, flushing the eyes with a milk and water solution can help. If you receive emergency treatment, the paramedics will likely use a solution of water and aluminum hydroxide, which is the active ingredient in Maalox. Wash the affected skin with a mild dish soap or baby shampoo. Avoid touching the affected area to minimize the risk of rubbing the spray further into the skin.

Pepper Spray vs. Mace
Mace is an irritant that is similar to tear gas.
In the past, it was highly popular as a self-defense spray. However, mace is not effective against those who, for reasons of intoxication or psychosis, are immune to pain. Pepper spray will stop even those who cannot feel ordinary pain. Mace is no longer commonly sold as a defense spray, and is restricted in many areas. Pepper sprays are now believed to be both safer and more effective for private citizen use. However, the Mace brand continues to manufacture a variety of products for personal self-defense. These products are generally pepper sprays. They are safe and effective and are under the normal laws for pepper spray.

Proper Use
Pepper spray must be used properly in order to be effective. The first step of proper use is to ensure that your spray is always readily available. It will do you no good to have a can of spray lost in the bottom of a large purse. When you purchase your spray, practice getting it out quickly several times, until it becomes second nature. Always carry it in the same location. Remember that in an emergency situation, you will have only a few seconds to react.

Familiarize yourself with the proper way to operate your spray. A few steps may be required, and during an emergency is not the best time to realize that you do not know how to use the spray. Make sure that you are clear on exactly what to do, how and when. Never use a spray that is past its expiration date.
Over time, the aerosol propulsion becomes less effective and may not deliver the contents as expected. If there is no expiration, test the system according to manufacturer’s instructions and replace it once per year.

Only use your spray in a clear-cut, life-threatening situation. Those who have been the victims of the sprays have sued some users for improper use of sprays. Do not hesitate to use your spray if you feel threatened, but be aware that using a spray in anger or otherwise inappropriately can lead to hefty fines and financial judgments.

Pepper spray is a popular and effective means of self-defense. When used properly and appropriately it can buy you time to get out of a dangerous situation. However, it is a form of weapon and should be treated as such. Take the time to learn about the spray, its effects, different means of delivery, and proper handling. It is worth the effort for something that could literally save your life.

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