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 Before buying pepper spray, here
are some common questions you need to consider:
Pepper Spray FAQ: How do I use
Pepper Spray or Mace Defensive Spray?
Are you prepared to use it? Have you mentally prepared yourself
to use it? Is it in a convenient location? Finally, but most
importantly, have you taken safeguards that would reduce the
probability you would need it?
Pepper Spray Techniques
1. How to Spray Your Pepper
Canister
Exactly how do I spray my pepper spray? If you have
to use your pepper spray make sure you have distance
between you and the threat if at all possible.
Aim the spray at the eyes and
facial region of the threat then release a 1 to 2
second burst of spray. After you have done this MOVE
out of the way but keep your eyes on the threat.
Pepper spray ingredients can take
a couple of moments to cause a reaction and by
watching the reactions of the threat you will be
able to determine if you will require another shot
of pepper spray.
2. Keep Your Eyes Open When Firing Pepper Spray
What are mistakes that I don't want to make when I
use pepper spray? Don't ever shut your eyes! You may
have to correct your aim slightly. You should shoot
the spray for 2 to 3 seconds, neither a short squirt
nor a long drenching.
After shooting your pepper spray,
the assailant will normally stop within a couple seconds,
blinded and virtually helpless due to uncontrollable
coughing spasms and temporary blindness. Once the assailant
is disabled, stop
spraying. Continue backing and concentrate on
getting away!
3. Effective Use of Pepper Spray
What is the most effective use of my pepper spray?
One of the keys to effective use of pepper spray is
timing and recognizing a potential threat and
knowing when it becomes an assault! Exactly when you
bring a pepper spray to bear on an assailant can be
critical to the outcome of a situation.
First you have to make sure the
pepper spray is readily available and, second,
through practice you can bring it to bear on the
assailant quickly and accurately.
4. When All You Can Do Is Get Your Pepper Spray
Out
What is the most basic way to use pepper spray?
Obviously you may not have time to shoot the pepper
spray in such a textbook way. You may not have time
to do anything but bring the spray up and start
shooting. If that's the case, don't worry about
aiming correctly, or even correcting aim. JUST
SHOOT!
5. Practice is the Best Pepper Spray Technique
Do I need to practice using my pepper spray? It is
vital that you give some thought in advance to how
you will carry your pepper spray canister. Consider
carrying the device in the same place whenever
possible. That way, you won't have to think, "where
is it today?" in the heat of the moment. Try various
carrying methods and practice drawing the weapon.
Make sure you can draw your pepper spray quickly
from wherever you're keeping it. Good, accessible
locations include inside a pants pocket, especially
for the models with a clip. Do not bury your pepper
spray at the bottom of your purse or backpack!
6. Catch Your Attacker by Surprise
Should I catch my attacker by surprise with my
pepper spray? When used by surprise, pepper spray is
an excellent distraction, allowing you time to get
away.
7. Other Pepper Spray Technique Tips
What are some other good pepper spray technique
tips? If someone is attempting to attack you, always
move off the line of force before spraying. Deliver
the pepper spray by in a few short bursts of a
second or so each in an "X" or "Z" pattern.
You cannot always count on your
target staying still and spraying in a pattern will
help you hit the target. Then get out of there, and
once you are safe, contact the police and report the
attack. You want your description of the attack to
be the first one they hear.
8. Where to Aim Your Pepper Spray
How do I aim my pepper spray? Pepper spray should be
directed at the assailants face at close range
either in a stream, spray or mist and never sprayed
wildly at a crowd. The technique to using is simple
- keep following the head and keep spraying.
9. Don't Stick Your Hand Way Out When Firing
What is important not to do when using pepper spray?
Never thrust your shooting hand out in front of you
towards the assailant. He or she may react quickly
and hit your hand aside or grab it! As you shoot,
back up and continue backing up away from the
assailant. This gives you a little more time and
draws the assailant into the pepper spray. Good
training.
10. Basic Pepper Spray Shooting Technique
What is a basic pepper spray shooting technique?
When you're ready to shoot the pepper spray, go into
a slight crouch with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet, if you have the chance. Thrust your
non-shooting hand straight out in front of you.
At the same time, shout "STOP" as
loud as you can. As you're doing this raise your
shooting hand with the pepper spray to eye level
approximately 6 inches in front of your chin, aim
over your outstretched arm and hand, and shoot
toward the assailant's face and head area.
11. Timing Your Pepper Spray is So Important
Is timing important when using pepper spray? There's
much more to using pepper spray than point and
shoot! Remember, don't raise, point, and shoot the
spray until you're ready to fire. Wait until the
assailant is in range and you know the spray will
hit him full in the face area and incapacitate him!
The objective is to surprise him or her before they
can have a chance to react or think.
12. Shout STOP When You Use Pepper Spray
Should I say anything when I use my pepper spray?
Shouting "STOP" creates a slight diversion. Raising
your arm outstretched toward the assailant may cause
his immediate attention to be focused on that hand,
not the one with the pepper spray. This gives you
time to shoot the spray before the assailant can
react.
13. Use Pepper Spray Fanning Technique
What is fanning my pepper spray? Fanning is a pepper
spray technique for hitting your mark. You spray the
stream then move your dispersions path from side to
to side until yon hit your mark! The stream also
provides the heaviest blast of pepper (cans will
empty faster).
Courtesy of pepperspray.lifetips.com
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We want you to buy pepper spray and be safe,
but we REALLY REALLY want you to be safe too by knowing how to
use the pepper spray when you need to use it. Wouldn't it be
terrible to try and fail to use your pepper spray in the heat of
the moment?
So first lets look at what pepper spray is, and then we will
talk about what it takes to own pepper spray.
Ok so what is Pepper Spray?
Pepper spray is a non-lethal aerosol
spray made with the pepper derivative oleoresin capsicum (OC).
It is used to cause temporary blindness and incapacitate an
attacker. You should only use pepper spray if you are threatened
or your life is in danger. DO NOT USE pepper spray for any
malicious acts. It is a crime, and you will end up in a world of
trouble A good pepper spray will put an attacker down and out,
allowing you to escape or take control of the situation. Some
brands of pepper spray will leave an invisible chemical (UV Dye)
on the attacker which will help police identify them. Read
through our selection of
Pepper Spray or Mace Defensive Sprays
for the most appropriate one for you.
When you buy pepper spray, take a look at the
expiration date. You will need to buy a new can when it expires.
Most sprays last for about 2 years.
Is there a difference between tear gas and pepper spray?
There is a bit of a difference between pepper spray and
tear gas. Pepper spray
is considered to be more effective than tear gas for several
reasons. First, the reaction to pepper spray is involuntary,
meaning it works on everyone, even if they feel no pain. Second,
while pepper spray needs to be sprayed into the eyes or inhaled
to be effective, it will not vaporize as tear gas does. Third,
pepper spray works quicker than mace, and also wears off
quicker. Tear gas chemical residue can actually last for days.
So pepper spray is a more effective and better spray than tear
gas, especially for civilian use.
Users of OC repeatedly acknowledge its
advantages over tear gas. They appreciate that it ensures
immediate compliance yet does not emit fumes. They like its
safety. They report that it works even on people under the
influence of drugs or alcohol, and on highly agitated or
motivated individuals.
How does pepper spray work?
Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent. When the spray comes into
contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat and lungs), it
causes immediate dilation of the capillaries. Temporary
blindness and instant inflammation of the nose, throat and lungs
will occur immediately after the spray comes into contact with
the mucous membranes. The attacker will experience difficulty
breathing, coughing, choking, sneezing, severe burning
sensations to the eyes, nose, throat and skin, and nausea. The
inflammation will last from 15 to 60 minutes.
Now what does it
take to own pepper spray?
Be mentally prepared to use
it
In order for any weapon to be
effective you must be mentally prepared to use it. There are
many people who cannot intentionally inflict pain on another
person--even to defend themselves. If you are one of those
people, you mind as well not carry pepper spray or a weapon
of any kind.
To be mentally prepared you need to visualize
the worst situation you could ever be in, determine your course
of action for that situation, and visualize carrying it out. You
must make the commitment to use pepper spray ahead of time so
you do not second guess yourself when you need it. Being
mentally prepared gives you the edge and the confidence to be a
survivor. Not being mentally prepared sets you up for failure.
Police officers practice this time after time. You should too.
It is similar to always taking a mental note
of an exit area and exit strategy. Some people train themselves
to always know what to do, where to go, and how to get there
incase of emergency. This is always a good safety strategy when
you go somewhere you are new to.
Plan Ahead.
So where do you store your pepper
spray when you carry it? Is it in a convenient location? Pepper
spray will be of no value sitting in the bottom of your purse or
bag. It is only useful if it’s readily available the moment you
need it. It should be on your key chain or somewhere that makes
it easily accessible. So make sure when you carry it, it is
readily accessible to you.
"A tool is only as good as the person who uses
it." Do you know how to use it? Does it have a thumb depression
that allows you to aim it? Pepper spray may not be effective in
controlling an assailant under windy conditions or if it is
aimed the wrong way. In a small percent of cases, the spray has
no other effect on the predator other then to make him mad. Do
you have an alternate plan?
Practice
Do I need to practice using my pepper spray? It is vital that
you give some thought in advance to how you will carry your
pepper spray canister. Consider carrying the device in the same
place whenever possible. That way, you won't have to think,
"where is it today?" in the heat of the moment. Try various
carrying methods and practice drawing the weapon. Make sure you
can draw your pepper spray quickly from wherever you're keeping
it. Good, accessible locations include inside a pants pocket,
especially for the models with a clip.
Safety Record
Both tear gas and pepper sprays have exceptionally good safety
records. The U.S. Army reports that CS has never been implicated
in a human death despite years of use. In addition, no
substantiated deaths have been reported following the use of
pepper or tear gas sprays by civilians. Information from several
law enforcement agencies indicates a significant drop in
injuries in police departments that use defensive chemical
sprays.
For example, In a 1990-1992 study conducted by
the Portland, Maine, police department, subjects in reported
force incidents were injured in 69% of the situations, and
officers were injured in 31%. Since they began using pepper
spray there have been 226 reported force incidents. Only 12% of
the subjects and 12% of the officers were injured during these
situations.
While tear gas and pepper sprays have
excellent safety records, they are weapons. Proper training is
strongly recommended, both to increase the effectiveness of
defensive sprays when used for self-defense and to minimize the
potential for injury or accident exposure.
Pepper Spray
Dispersion Methods
Forced cone: This is a variation on the
popular cone type and is the best in most situations. It is a
fine mist that comes out in a forceful spray pattern usually at
distances from 8 to 12 feet. In the latest generation of
dispensing actuators, the mist is made up of super-fine droplets
of pepper solution. These droplets help to minimize blow-back of
pepper formula on you while the mist (looks like a heavy fog)
penetrates the attacker's skin pores and mucous membranes for an
experience they will not soon forget!. This pattern actually
spreads out to a width of approximately 2 feet at its maximum
distance. This pattern covers the whole face and is absorbed
into the mucus membrane with hot pepper causing the eyes to seal
with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, shortness of
breath, etc.
Fogger: This type of
spray pattern is great for multiple attackers, crowd control,
bears and home use. One disadvantage is there can be some
blow-back of pepper contaminating you, especially if used
outdoors. However, the blast you would receive and the direct
blast the attacker receives are quite different. Where you would
tear and cough on a good sized blow-back, the attacker would be
rendered incapacitated for about 30 minutes. You pull the
trigger or release button, and "fan" your path back and forth
hitting everything in its path. Picture a mini fire
extinguisher! The pepper works instantly. Causes the eyes to
seal with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, shortness of
breath, etc.
Foam/Gel:
This type is excellent for blow-back protection and immediate
saturation. EXAMPLE: If it is windy, you can spray this with
minimum to no pepper blow-back contaminating you. A common
misconception is that the attacker, once sprayed with the foam
can just wiped it away and continue to attack. This
Pepper Foam or
Pepper Gel is
like thick, sticky saving cream but with one addition... 5.3
million Scoville Heat Units of blistering hot pepper. He will
try to wipe it off but it will be to late. The pepper works
instantly. Causes the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run,
excessive coughing, shortness of breath, etc.
Broken-Stream:
This type is a variation on the
widely distributed stream type. Very effective at hitting
multiple attackers, hitting them in the dark, in tight areas,
e.g., through your partially opened car window, and helps with
aim. The solid stream (similar to the water guns sold today)
will blast an attacker with super-hot pepper! Through a
partially opened car window you have minimum misting action that
can contaminate you. If you miss, or the attacker was in a hard-
to-reach area, you can "fan" this spray during discharge.
Fanning is a technique for hitting your mark. You spray the
stream then move your dispersions path from side to to side
until yon hit your mark! The stream also provides the heaviest
blast of pepper (cans will empty faster). The pepper works
instantly. Causes the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run,
excessive coughing, shortness of breath, etc.
Is Pepper Spray Legal?
Basically, Pepper Sprays
can not be shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts or
Wisconsin.
However, Michigan and New York are
authorized to receive
Bear Sprays
and
Dog Repellents.
Click Here for Michigan Approved Sprays.
Please read our
Pepper Spray Laws
section for more information about pepper spray legality. If you
have questions about the legality of pepper spray where you
live, check with your local police department.
Where is Pepper Spray Prohibited?
Pepper Spray may not be carried on a plane, even for
self-defense purposes. You might be able to carry pepper spray
in a check bag, depending on the current FAA policy. You may not
be allowed to carry pepper spray into Federal buildings and
State buildings.
What to Do IMMEDIATELY After Using Your
Spray
Get out of the area! Run in the opposite direction of your
attacker if possible. When you are safe, tell your local law
enforcement agency about the attack. This is very important
because it may help police apprehend the attacker, and prevent
attacks on others.
First Aid and Decontamination Procedures
If you are accidentally sprayed, or if someone else is sprayed
accidentally, the following are some first aid procedures that
may help:
- Avoid panic.
- Do not rub the face. This will aggravate
the pain already being experienced.
- The best immediate treatment is to expose
the person to fresh air, a breeze if possible. A fan can
also be used.
- Flush the affected area with cool water
either from the tap or a garden hose.
- Clean the affected area with non-oil or
cold cream based soap. Do not use salves or greases on
exposed area because it will trap Pepper Spray particles or
OC resin onto the skin.
- If eyes are exposed, flush copiously with
cool, fresh water for 15 minutes.
- If you wear contact lenses, remove them
carefully once hands are thoroughly clean.
- An ophthalmic examination should be
performed by a physician if irritation or pain persists
after 15 minutes of flushing with water.
- Clothing which is contaminated with
Pepper Spray should be removed immediately and, if indoors,
placed in a sealed plastic bag or container.
- Persons assisting the subject should wear
rubber gloves to avoid residual contamination.
- If any irritation or pain persists after
decontamination procedures, a physician should examine the
exposed area.
If some attacker in intentionally sprayed with
pepper spray:
History of Pepper Spray
Where did pepper spray come from? The use of chemical weapons
dates back thousands of years. In 428 BC Spartans burned wood
saturated with pitch and sulfur to create toxic fumes. Also
around that time the Chinese filled bags with pepper and spices
to fling at their enemies. In 1721 Charles XII used smoke to
screen his river crossing. In 1864 the Germans first discovered
and used CN tear gas (chloroacetophenone), a non-lethal tearing
agent that could incapacitate humans for short periods of time
with no lasting effects. In 1928 a different tear gas (orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile)
was developed by B.B. Corson and R.W. Stoughton, the two
scientists from whom it takes its nickname "CS."
Law enforcement agencies began using tear gas
after World War II, especially as a riot control agent, and it
is still in use today. Oleoresin capsicum spray was developed at
the University of Georgia by Professor James H. Jenkins and Dr.
Frank Hayes, D.V.M., in 1960. That formula under the brand name
Halt Animal Repellant was first sold in 1963. Like tear gas,
oleoresin capsicum (OC) is non-lethal and induces temporary
incapacitation with no known long-term effects. In 1989 the
Firearms Training Unit (FTU) of the FBI Academy in Quantico,
Virginia, completed three years of intensive research on OC,
following which the FBI authorized the use of OC for its special
agents and SWAT teams.
In addition, OC has proven effective against
domestic and wild animals without endangering the animals or the
environment. OC, in proper dispensing systems, has been
successfully used to
stop grizzly bear attacks in Alaska and pit
bull dog attacks in California and Texas. The US Postal Service
also issues
OC canine pepper spray to its letter carriers to protect them from dog
bites. Although defensive sprays had some limited distribution
to the general public as far back as the 1960s, OC sprays did
not become widely distributed to the general public until around
1988.
All Your Pepper Spray and Mace
Defensive Spray Options...
Some of this content courtesy of: ci.fargo.nd.us
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