How are Self Defense Sprays Made? There are 3 main ingredients that go into self defense sprays. Two of them are types of tear gas and called CS and CN. They irritate the membranes and cause uncontrolled tear flow and mucous discharge. It’s amazing when you see the stopping power of just this irritant alone.

The 3rd and most common ingredient is OC (Oleoresin Capsicum), which is the hot part of chili peppers. OC is not only an irritant, it is also an inflammatory agent and when it contacts the mucous membranes it causes choking and an unbelievable burning sensation. It can also cause temporary blindness from the burning pain.

What is the difference between pepper spray and tear gas? You cant fight thru the pain of tear gas. It will blind and choke you if it contacts the mucous membranes. Tear gas isnt as effective for intoxicated, crazy, super tough attackers.

Tear Gas isnt effective on wild animals or dogs, pepper spray is.

Tear gas disburses fumes and you dont have to nail the attacker in the eyes. Pepper spray does not emit fumes, and it will not deteriorate with age, but it must be sprayed in the eyes or inhaled directly to be effective.

Tear gas takes take longer to be effective, anywhere from 5 seconds to 30 seconds, while the effects of pepper spray are almost instantaneous.

You can wash pepper spray off with soap and water, but with tear gas they’ll have to suffer the effects for hours or days. MACE has a pepper spray gel however that is hard to wipe and wash off! They also have a “triple action” product, that contains both tear gas AND pepper spray so you have the best of all three chemicals. It also contains a UV dye so the cops can easily ID the person who attacked you.

What’s the advantage of self defense sprays? They have proven to be extremely reliable when used correctly. That’s why they are still heavily used for crowd control by police all over the world. In addition, it’s a non-lethal self defense weapon which allows people to use it without hesitation in the event of an attack. Early intervention can save your life instead of waiting until you are really in danger to strike back. Pepper sprays are cheap to keep, and legal to carry and use, almost everywhere.

Even so, you should still be aware of its limitations. Pepper spray may take a few seconds to disable and attacker, so that assailant may be able to take your canister away from you, before the effects of the spray kick in. That means your own weapon may be used against you. Also, wind and rain may reduce its range and effectiveness. You may get spray-back when sprayed against strong wind.

How do I compare various pepper sprays? Pepper spray is rated in 2 ways: OC% and SHU rating. The % you see listed on the package (10%, 15%, etc.) explains how much OC is in the container relative to the other ingredients (propellant, dyes, etc.). However, this percentage cannot always be used to compare the “hotness” of different pepper sprays, and there are mixtures of various potencies of OC.

The other standard rating for pepper spray “hotness” is the Scoville Heat Unit or SHU. This number represents the amount of capsasin in the OC. Since different manufactures use different grades of OC, the percentage of OC in a spray becomes irrelavant. It’s the SHU or amount of capsasin that matters. Look for a SHU rating of 2 million or higher for a real punch in your pepper spray!

How long will my pepper spray last? That depends on how big the container is! If your wondering how long you can store it for, its usually about a year. Each container will have an expiration date. The truth is that the OC is not effected by storage time. The propellant however, is not as dependable. If your likely to use it, then you should test spray it every once in a while!

How long for the spray to work, and how long will the effect last? It can take 3-5 seconds for pepper spray to take effect, and the effects can last anywhere from 15 minutes to about 60 minutes depending on concentration, which will give you plenty of time to escape an attacker and call the police. The UV Dye, a harmless additive used to assist authorities in catching the attacker, will generally wear off in about a week.

When should I use pepper spray? Use pepper spray if you are threatened or your life is in danger. And use it only in defense of people, not property. Always maintain situational awareness and remember that its a crime to use self-defense sprays in an offensive manner.

What should I get: foam, spray, gel, fogger? It just depends on your specific application and preference. Mace brand gels and foams are preferred by many as they are really hard to wipe off. It just spreads and burns! The spray is actually a stream, and is easier to aim into the eyes and mouth. The fogger is good for crowd control.

Storage of pepper spray? Always store it at room temp as the propellant is under pressure. Keep it away from children and don’t leave in you car on a hot day. You might get a surprise!

You should try to keep your pepper spray in a place where you can pull it out and deploy it quickly. You shouldn’t have to think twice about it or fumble throught your purse looking for it. Make sure you practice with it so it becomes 2nd nature. The time to familiarize yourself with it is not when your being attacked!

The keychain pepper sprays are very convenient, and you are more likely to carry them with you all the time because of their smaller size.

What should I know about MY pepper spray? It’s important that you get some practice with the specific spray you are going to use. Study the canister, the nozzle, and the dispenser. Take your canister to an open field, make sure the wind, if any, is at your back, and fire it for about two seconds. How far will it spray? Is the spray a stream or a foggy mist? How did it react to the wind? Can you spray it into the eyes of an attacker?

When threatened, make sure you have distance between you and the attacker. Don’t get too close to them or they could grab your spray! Fire 2 or 3 second bursts directly into the eyes of the attacker. If it is not working, give them another two seconds. The small pocket or purse size will give you between 5 and 10 seconds of continual fire. Once the threat is stopped, run immediately and call the police. If your spray contains UV dye, tell that to the police.

Is Pepper Spray Legal in my state? Pepper spray is LEGAL in all fifty states. However, some states and cities have specific regulations pertaining to the purchase, possession and use of defense sprays. Please check with your local law enforcement agency for any regulations your state may have.

New York: the sellers must be local licensed firearm dealers or local pharmacies. Massachusetts: the buyer is required to obtain a Firearms Identification Card (FID); the sellers must be local licensed firearm dealers. Michigan: OC Pepper Spray can be no stronger than a 2% concentrate. CS is the only Tear Gas accepted. Both must be no larger than 35 grams per can. No combination sprays allowed. Wisconsin: Pepper spray only. No Tear Gas, UV Dye or combination sprays. OC Pepper Spray can be no stronger than a 10% concentrate. The can must be between 15-60 grams only. They must have safety feature. California: Canisters cannot be more than 2.5 ounces. Animal Repellents such as bear spray and dog spray are legal and can be shipped to New York, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Is there anyplace where I cannot carry pepper spray? Yes. You cannot carry any pepper spray on an airplane or in carry-on luggage or in the passenger area. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) allows one Pepper Spray (up to 4 oz) per traveler in your checked luggage only.

How do I remove pepper spray? If you get pepper spray on yourself, dont panic. Water, soap and time are all that is needed to decontaminate you. Exposure to fresh air should help, too. Remove all contaminated clothing. Flush the affected area with cool water. Warm water may intensify the burning and inflammation. Do not rub your face! Wash the affected area with non-oil or cold cream based soap. Don’t apply oily lotions–they will trap OC resin onto your skin. Have a physician examine the exposed area if any irritation or pain persists after the decontamination procedures.

Tags: Self Defence