Pepper Spray- A New Option for Self Defense

Tear gas, Mace, CS gas and other such agents

(chemical compounds that cause the eyes to burn and slam

shut) have recently been categorized together. These

crowd control agents developed for law enforcement and

Military use are not widely used today because

inconsistent effectiveness, product degradation when

stored for long periods of time and various legal

challenges.

OC spray (Oleoresin Capsicum) is also knows as pepper

spray. The chemical capsaicin, the main ingredient,

is derived from hot natural peppers. The "heat" of the

capsaicin is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU),

normal ratings are from 2 to 5 million units.

The Scoville test, invented years ago, involves

the dilution of pepper slurry in sugar water and

"taste-tested" by volunteers.

The amount of dilution, when the testers could no

longer taste the heat, indicated the rating. Habanero

peppers have a rating of 300,000 thus was diluted

300,000 times before it becomes undetectable. Modern

quality control methods lab verify the SHU via

high-pressure liquid chromatography, or HPLC, to measure

the capsaicin amount rather than using tasting tests.

New purification and process methods insure products are

of good quality.

The extreme effectiveness of pepper spray aerosol

has caused it to become the primary riot control agent

used by police officers and the military. It has also

become the personal self defense weapon of choice for

civilians.

Pepper spray causes instant and intense pain, swelling

the mucous membranes, restricting the airway, and produces

intense coughing making breathing very difficult. The

assailant can't breathe well enough to continue to fight or

run. The dilation of the blood vessels in the eyes and

profuse watering force the eyes to close causing

disorientation and loss of balance.

Eyeglasses or contact lenses may reduce the impact

somewhat but a good stream in the face will still

significantly affect the attacker. The airways will

still receive the full effect and the "leakage" around

the glasses or contact lenses cause acute irritation

so the attacker will remove his glasses and try to

wipe his eyes only causing more symptoms.

The effects last between 30 and 45 minutes and cause no

permanent damage. However your attacker will have

become more concerned with his own comfort rather than

with you. Due to the multiple physical effects this

powerful spray agent has proven to be an effective

deterrent against attack even by persons with a high

pain tolerance, alcohol or drug use and those who are

mentally ill.

Pepper Spray is a safe weapon. With more than

two decades of civilian and law enforcement use there

has not been one substantiated death or permanent

health damage report from using pepper spray.

It's better to use a non-lethal weapon in the event you

misidentify a threat or accidentally spray a loved one.

In fact this is the main benefit of pepper sprays

is that it combines effective stopping power with the

ability to not cause permanent harm or death if you

spray the wrong person.

Fallacies About Pepper Spray

Pepper Spray is certainly not for kids! Don't ever allow

young children to handle, treat your self-defense spray

as you would any dangerous weapon. Check your local laws

regarding the minimum age to carry a pepper spray. Even if

allowed by law don't give immature youngsters pepper

spray. They will try it on each other.Discuss the effects

and ramifications of use and misuse. While effective

against animals, including bears, it should never be used

to harm animals.

Pepper Defense Spray is not a deterrent weapon. To be

effective, it needs to be used quickly. Don't point

the can unless you plan to use it. The element of

surprise will prevent your attacker from shielding

against a direct shot and he may charge you and try to

take it from you. When threatened keep your spray in

hand and out of sight until the assailant closes into

range, about 8 to 10 feet. Reach out with your empty hand

in a defensive move (to distract attacker's attention)

and spray him for several seconds while keeping the

spray hand close to your chest, adjust your aim as needed.

Shout GET AWAY! or BACK AWAY! etc. Get away from your

attacker as quickly, as he may still try and grab you.

After you have safely escaped, call Police to apprehend the

assailant - let the police handle from there- remember your

goal is to escape, not get back at the attacker.

Packaging Methods

After capsaicin is extracted and refined it is processed

into an aerosol spray to be a easy to use respiratory

irritant. Packaging typically consists of one-half ounce

or more pepper spray, key chain models, two and four ounce

canister models and even larger can models.

Specialized packaging can includes pens, pagers, sprays

inside walking weights and even rings, ideal for close-

contact protection such as in dating.

Additives and Special Types of Sprays:

Some formulations mix tear gas and/or invisible

dyes that add to the effect and aid police officers

in later identification when viewed with a UV light.

Michigan requires specific formulas that combine

UV dye with either tear gas or pepper spray.

Much has been claimed about special or secret formulas

and heat ratings. The truth is all of the main brand

names like Pepper Shot, Mace, Wildfire, Streewise, and

Fox Labs use extremely fine ground pepper in effective

concentrations. Proper civilian self-defense use means

surprise, rapid spraying and escaping quickly

from a threat. A brand name formula with a two to

five million SHU will temporarily incapacitate your

attacker long enough for you to get away.

Article Source: Free Content Articles Directory

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