|
Learn what self-defense spray actually is, what it is made
from and the types of self-defense spray available. Various shapes and sizes,
what it can be used for, how far it will spray, and how long it will spray.
Testing it.
How to use pepper spray.
Cleaning pepper spray off you.
Buy pepper spray, what you should know.
Pepper spray strong point.
Pepper
Spray,is made from all-natural ingredients - chilies and oil. So, it is
non toxic, it will not catch on fire, and although it won't break down or
become weaker as it gets older, it may - depending on the size of the can -
slowly leak out over time (a year or so). The chilies used to make
self-defense spray include: Jalapenos, Chiletpin, and Cayenne. The best, as in
hottest, most effective for stopping an attacker - and my favorite to eat -
are called: Habaneros.
A real ring burner!
The active ingredient taken from chilies is called: "oleoresin
capsicum," or OC. In the wonderful world of horticulture, OC is a term used to
describe chili peppers. OC is oily stuff, making it hard to wash off if you
get it on your skin. Plus, it doesn't mix well with water, which is why it is
mixed with oil.
OC is mixed with oil and put in a spray can, under pressure (the same as
aerosol fly spray). Pepper
Spray, cans have a button that, when pressed, allows the contents to flow
out from a small hole at high speed. Some have a safety pin to stop accidental
sprayings and wastage. When self-defense spray is sprayed into the eyes and
face of an attacker (the right way and at the right time), it should stop the
attacker. It can however, take a few seconds before it starts to work.
Types of pepper
spray available
Self-defense sprays have been designed to go in your pocket, on your
key chain, in your car, or in your home. They have been built to look like a
pen, a pager, or simply to look a bit like a fire extinguisher. They have also
been made to work like a hand grenade - throw'em. You can get them especially
to be used on people, dogs, and even against bears.
You can get self-defense spray containers that hold half an ounce, to
one pound of spray. The smaller self-defense sprayers will hit a target 5 feet
away and the bigger ones will spray up to 30 feet (10m). Spray time is
anywhere from 3 to 25 seconds, depending on the amount of spray the can holds.
Some self-defense sprays even have ultra violet dye in them, so if the police
catch your attacker, he can be identified more easily.
Self-defense spray has become one of the biggest selling self-defense
products. It was first canned and made available in the early 1970s. Law
enforcement agencies started using it as an alternative to shooting people,
and have had some success with it. Please note that police are trained to use
self-defense spray BEFORE they are allowed to carry it… a good idea for ALL of
us! Using mace Pepper
Spray, as a distraction, testing it, how to use it and what to do after
you spray someone. Learn what to do if you get mace on yourself. Why you
should consider taking a class.
Mace is not a toy. It should not be used on a friend as a joke and it is
not meant to be a party trick. It should be used ONLY for self-defense and
only if you feel that your life is at risk.
When it is used together with the element of surprise, it can make an
excellent distraction. You may have been subjected to a trick that goes like
this:
Someone says to you, "Look over there!" You naturally look in the
direction that they point in. When you do, they either take something (like
your lunch) or run away.
Mace spray should be used the same way. As a distraction to give you
time to get away.
Unlike other weapons, you don't need much practice at using Pepper
Spray,in order to be accurate enough to hit your target. You just need to
be able to get at it quick enough.
When you get it, read the instructions! Then take it outside and into an
open area like a football field… lots of space. Give it a quick one or two
second test burst. If you have got a video camera, use it to film the action
from a side-on position. You can play it back over and over and really take in
how it works. What the spray looks like, how loud it is, how far it goes, how
wide and thick it is, and how much it blows around. Be sure to test it with
the wind behind you, so that when the spray comes out, it goes away from you -
down wind. It will be safer for you and will look better on camera if there is
no or very little wind.
You should test it to make sure it works. The buttons can be faulty and
the canister can become de-pressurized. If this happens, the contents will
have no way of being released from the can. Also, once tested, you will know
that what you are lugging around with you, will actually function if you need
it.
If you want more than a second or two of test time, you can buy cheaper
test spray canisters that don't have any mace in them.
It's basically the same as using fly spray. If you really think about it, Pepper
Spray, is a form of pest control. Hold the can out in front of you at arms
length. Aim straight for the attacker's face and press the button. Be sure to
hold on to it very tightly and be ready to pull it in close to your body if he
reaches for it! The last thing you want, is for an attacker to take it off of
you. Be very aware of this possibility!
The distance between you and the attacker will vary depending on the
type and model you are using. You need to read your instructions to get this
information. Better still, do the above test and use a video camera. The
distance will then be clear to you. Just as it is possible to be too far away,
it is also possible to be too close for achieving maximum affects in minimum
time.
As a general rule, aim to spray from between 5 and 10 feet away. The
effective range of most spray canisters is between 5 and 12 feet. Spraying
someone from less than 5 feet away does not allow for the capsicum to disperse
as an aerosol, and is likely to reduce the amount of inhalation exposure.
Although he will be helpless for a few seconds, don't hang around to
find out. Leave in a big hurry, "spray and run" like mad; run so fast into the
sunset that it just won't set.
Blow back Blow back is a term used to describe stray spray
that is going in your direction. If you find that some of the spray goes in
your direction, you can either stop spraying and move. Or keep spraying and at
the same time move left or right, stepping around your attacker until the
spray is moving away from you. Blow back spray will have nowhere near the
affect on you, as a direct hit will have on an attacker.
I read somewhere, where if you get spray on yourself, you should rinse the
area with cold water. If you have ever eaten chili, you will know that this
idea doesn't work. Milk or yogurt is supposed to help cool your mouth, but
with the ring burning chili that I like to eat, time is the only thing that
really helps. So the key here is, don't panic, try not to touch or rub, and
remember, it won't last forever. You can pat your face with a dry towel. This
may lift a bit of the oil out of your skin and reduce the recovery time.
Sitting in front of a fan may ease the burning feeling.
You can buy specially designed capsicum removing sponges.
Take a class Police are trained to use pepper spray before
they carry and use it. They know that proper training may make all the
difference in a real situation… it could save their life! If you are going to
carry pepper spray, take a class first! Find a class in your area and do
yourself a favor… attend it! Or AT LEAST read "Tactical
Use of Defense Sprays handbook" and learn how to use pepper spray
properly.
The law and you Keep this in mind: Just because you have
got mace pepper spray, does not mean that you can go around spraying anyone
who upsets you. In the eyes of the law, it could be seen as physical assault.
It could be seen in much the same way as a punch on the nose. You could be
charged with assault!
You can only use mace to defend yourself against someone who you believe
intends to do you PHYSICAL harm.
Conclusion
Remember that mace Pepper
Spray, should be used as a distraction, to give you time to get away. Test
it in an open area and film it. Use mace pepper spray in much the same way as
fly spray, then run like hell! If you get it on yourself, don't panic, and do
yourself a favor… go take a class.
There are some things you should know about pepper spray. It has some good
points and more bad points. However, if you want to put your life in the hands
of a product, Pepper
Spray, is a good product to start with. Take a look at what you should
know about pepper spray, before you buy it..
The first few seconds
Adrenaline is an amazing thing. If you spray someone who is very determine to
achieve his goal (attack you), he may find the inner strength needed to
overcome the effects of the spray, long enough to hurt you. This is especially
true during the first few seconds after being sprayed.
The best combination
If you decide that pepper spray is the protector for you, get a spray that has
a Scoville Heat Units Scale (SHU) rating of at least 1 or 2 million. Don't get
a spray that has a capsicum content of more than 5-percent. Between 2 and 5%
is best, because it is thinner and will work faster.
Getting too close
One problem with the smaller sprayers is that they have a shorter range… about
5 feet. This means that to use it, you will need to get close to your would-be
attacker. You might get to spray him, but he may get hold of you, or your
sprayer, before the effects kick in.
The small compact pepper sprays are however, convenient. You are more
likely to keep carrying something around with you that causes little or no
inconvenience.
The biggest problem with Pepper
Spray, is this: If you have not got it with you ALL of the time, you may
as well not have it at all. You will find that you will get attacked when you
least expect it.
A pepper spray strong point is, you
are more likely to use it instantly, and without hesitation. As opposed to a
gun where many people have died because they did not act quickly enough -
police included! You know that pepper spray will not kill, so you will not
hesitate in using it.
You need to understand that although
pepper spray works, it may not stop an attacker on contact. It may, and
probably will, take a few seconds to be effective. Assume that it will only be
20% effective on contact and will build over the following few seconds. So
keep out of the way during that time or better still, RUN!
Air Travel
If you are traveling on a plane, you
must pack your pepper spray in you suitcase (ring and ask your airport about
this, to confirm). It will be taken off you by airport security if you carry
it, have it in your pocket, or in a bag that you take on the plane with you.
It may leak
Pepper spray does not go off… it will
basically last forever. BUT, the aerosol propellant may leak out over time (a
year or so). This is especially true with the smaller sprays like the key
chain and pen sprayers.
Drugs may reduce the effects
We all know that drugs, including
alcohol, numb the body and mind. So it only stands to reason that if you use
pepper spray on someone under the influence of drugs, the effects will be
reduced. More importantly, the effects it does have may take longer to become
evident. This means that a drugged attacker may have more time to hurt you
before the spray takes hold. Just be aware and as always, be ready to run as
soon as you can!
Get some training
The police are trained to use pepper
spray, so you should learn how to use your spray properly as well. Find out if
there is a class being held near where you are living, and go. Do yourself a
favor… take a class! Or AT LEAST read "Tactical
Use of Defense Sprays handbook" and learn how to use pepper spray
properly."
Conclusion
It is important to understand what you
are buying when it comes to self-defense products. The information in this
article will help you to choose the right pepper spray product. I hope you use
it to your advantage! I can't stress strongly enough, how important it is to
NOT rely on just one form of defense. Please take the time to increase your
self-defense knowledge. This website has A LOT of good information, so use it!
A special thanks to Self-Defense Now for allowing us to use the above article!
E-Mail this page to a Friend!
Click on the graphic to vote for this
page as a Starting Point Hot Site.
|