Defensive sprays have become popular with both law enforcement and the general public in recent years because they have the ability to disable a person without permanent damage. They are designed to cause severe discomfort, which renders an assailant unable to concentrate on anything but his pain. This can be very effective in subduing or escaping an attacker . . . if everything goes right.
To understand the capabilities and limitations of defensive sprays, it is important to understand what is available, what they’re designed to do, and how they work. There are two basic ingredients used in defensive sprays today. The less-common type is tear gas. Tear gas causes profuse tearing and an intense burning sensation in the eyes. This disorients the attacker, and makes it very difficult to do anything but seek relief.
The more popular type is commonly called pepper spray. Pepper spray is an agent, carried routinely by many police departments, designed to be an extreme and immediate irritant to the eyes, but without permanent effect. It causes the eyelids to close tightly. This involuntary reaction is almost impossible to wilfully reverse, so an assailant is unable to see, while also distracted by severe irritation and burning. Pepper spray is made of 10%, 15% or 17% Oleo Capsicum Pepper, depending on what you buy. This is also known as food-grade red pepper. Most common types are 10%. Some, mostly animal repellent sprays, have an even higher concentration. Additionally, the state of Michigan has laws regarding the formulation of pepper sprays. If you live there, you should be sure to get a “Michigan formula”.
There are many formulas available now that combine pepper spray with tear gas. This is very effective. In addition, many are now including UV dye, which marks an assailant and often helps in identifying him if apprehended. Sprays are also available in a foaming formula, which is designed to stay in place, and make the assailant’s problem worse if he tries to wipe it off.
Police have found pepper spray to be highly effective at instantly subduing most perpetrators. Few people can think about anything except the severe pain in their eyes once hit with the spray. Occasionally, however, a particularly tough, drunk, or high-on-drugs assailant can almost completely ignore the effects of the spray. This is unusual, though.
As with any self-protection product, defensive sprays are not perfect. Although they are very effective if everything works right, problems arise in the practical use of them. First of all, they are often carried for months or years on a keychain or in a glove compartment, and they become an unnoticed part of a person’s landscape. If a crisis arises, people often forget that they even have them. Many are not that user-friendly; they have to be uncapped and pointed in the right direction, and many require a surprisingly strong finger to deploy the agent.
Another problem is that you have to aim properly and actually hit the assailant in the eyes. Anything else will not do, and will probably make your situation worse. If you miss your assailant’s eyes on the first try, you won’t get a second chance and it may well be used on you. This is pepper spray’s biggest drawback in common use.
Finally, defensive sprays have to be used preemptively, meaning that they are of little use in close quarters and a decision has to be made to use them before things get that far.
Before deciding to rely on a defensive spray, you should consider your personality. Are you cool enough in a crisis to use it, or even remember you have it? Are you decisive enough to use the spray before things get too far? If not, there is no point in carrying it. A personal alarm might be a better choice.
On the other hand, these sprays have saved a lot of lives, both of potential victims and of assailants. They are instantly effective on most people, they are safe to use, and will not cause permanent harm to anyone, including children. Only you can decide if carrying one is right for you.
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Thank You for the informative post, you are correct on the fact that these products have saved alot of lives.
Comment by Mike Armstrong — May 11, 2008 @ 8:25 pm