The Ins And Outs Of Pepper Spray
Pepper spray has been in use for many years as a non-lethal weapon for use in self-defense. It comes in canisters small enough to be easily carried in a pocket or a purse and can even be made as part of a key-chain or a piece of jewelry. For self-defense, its function is to disable an attacker long enough to allow the victim to escape. It works well for this.
This has been standard issue on many police departments for decades. It part of a uniformed cops gear, along with his flashlight, cuffs and gun. Although rare, there are times when using the spray won’t be totally effective on a particular person and they’ll need to be sprayed again, but usually it’s quite effective on anyone.
The ‘pepper’ in the name comes from the main ingredient, which comes from the fruit of a pepper plant. It’s called capsicum, and it’s HOT! It’s made into aerosol form by a fairly simple process and packaged into several different sized containers, for sale to the public. A certain ammunition for use in paint ball guns also contains capsicum and is used by some police departments for use in riot control operations.
Pepper spray is what’s known as a lachrymatory agent, which means it will affect the eyes, specifically the tear ducts. It will make your eyes burn and water and you’ll be forced to close them to lessen the pain. Being sprayed is a definite drag. Try to avoid it!
Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent and causes an immediate reaction in the form of coughing, runny nose, difficultly breathing and painful, burning eyes that forced shut. These effects will usually last for a half hour or more, with residual effects sometimes lasting many hours more. Some suspects will exhibit less willingness to succumb to the effects of being sprayed with pepper gas, but it’s rare. Usually these are the ones really high on amphetamines.
If given the choice, DON’T get sprayed with this stuff. There are stories of people spraying themselves accidentally while checking out their unit. Bad move! If you happen to be in an area where a riot starts (it could happen) and the police start using the capsicum rounds, cover your mouth and eyes and get away. Stay upwind if possible.
There’s a ban against the use of any riot control agents in the waging of war, according to current conventions. That sounds crazy, but it’s the rules! Laws governing the use of sprays for police forces or personal self-protection vary according to country and local jurisdictional practices. In Hong Kong, for instance, non-lethal sprays are classified as firearms and require issuance of a permit to carry. In India, where they’re specifically allowed only for self-defense, no permit is required but products aren’t sold over the counter.
Pepper spray is a good deterrent. Every woman should have a can in her purse, just in case. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Think about it.
Author: Mike Ward is a technical advisor for Protection Depot, a leading distributor of pepper spray and stun guns. For more information about pepper spray, please visit Protection Depot.



