Product Reviews Facts and Notes

What goes into a self defense spray? The one commonly available today to the consumer can a single chemical, or a combination of 3 different irritating agents. Two of them are tear gas which is a mucous membrane irritant. Upon contact, it burns the eyes causing uncontrolled tearing, and copious mucous secretions.

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’s the difference between pepper spray and tear gas? First, you can’t fight through the effects of tear gas. The tearing and mucouse secretion are uncontrollable, so it will blind and choke you if it contacts the mucous membranes. Tear gas isnt as effective for though for drunken, super tough attackers.

Only pepper spray works to deter dogs, bears, and other wild animals.

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 about 5 to 30 sec to start working whereas pepper spray burns instaneously.

Pepper Spray can be washed off with soap and water. Tear gas takes longer to wear off and the chemical residue can last for days. Recently, manufacturers have begun to combine the chemicals together to make a super potent spray with the characteristics of each chemical. Called Mace Triple Action, this formulation is super dependable when you need it. They even add in UV dye, so the bad guy can be easily identified by the police.

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.

Self-defense sprays also have their limitations too. For instance, it may take a moment for the pepper spray to start burning and disable the attacker. In that time he can still attack you, or worse take your pepper spray from you and use it against you! If you spray it into the wind, you may end up with MACE in the FACE!

How is “hotness” measured? Pepper spray is rated in two ways: OC% and SHU rating. The % you see listed on the can 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!

What’s the shelf life of pepper spray? The truth is that OC doesn’t degrade with time. Sometimes however, the propellant goes bad. You should plan on replacing it when it reaches the expiration date, which is stamped on the sides or bottoms of the container. Usually however you should plan on replacing it yearly.

How long do the effects last? The burning takes a few seconds to kick in, and usually lasts from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the SHU rating. The UV Dye can “tag” a person for up to 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 is difference between foam, spray, gel, and fogger? It depends on what your going to need it for. Mace brand gels and foams are preferred by many as they are really hard to wipe off and they still spray in a stream, and it just spreads and burns! The stream is easier to aim into the eyes and mouth. The fogger is good for crowd control.

How should I store & carry pepper spray? Store your defensive spray in a safe place at room temperature. Keep it away from children. Do not leave it in your car during summer because high temperatures may cause the seals to leak.

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?

In an emergency situation, make sure you have distance between you and the attacker. Don’t get within their grabbing distance. 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 the police that. It can help the police to identify your attacker.

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.