Only-Pepper Spray

There are many people who unbeknownst to themselves are allergic to pepper  spray. In fact there have been many unconfirmed cases of death due to such allergic reactions.  If such an occurance happens to you or someone near you, I recommend that you start by calling 911.

Be sure to not rub the afected area. As this can be difficult you may need to subdue to person who is affected. Rubbing the skin clean will not stop the pain. The victim is only sreading the inflammation.

Next apply an antidote. If an OC decontamination product is available apply to the affected area. If no antidote is available douse with milk. Or by flushing the affected area with lots and lots of water, one can usually cleanse the affected area in that manner.

In the U.S., different states have different laws and regulations regarding the sale, carrying and use of pepper spray. Massachusetts classifies it as a firearm, and residents interested in pepper spray have to hold a valid license to carry firearms and buy them only from licensed firearms dealers. In Wisconsin, pepper spray cannot be camouflaged and must have a safety feature on it to prevent accidental discharge. In New York, anyone over 18 can legally possess pepper spray, but it must be purchased in person – not by mail order or online – at a pharmacy or from a licensed firearm retailer. In California, the spray container must hold less than 2.5 ounces.

Luckily for those states that have container size restrictions, the pepper spray Pepper Shot comes in containers of 2 ounces or less and still packs a punch. Its 10% pepper spray is rated at 2 million Scoville heat units and made with a very fine grain that is more effective than the coarser grains of other pepper sprays. It comes with various accessories for easy access, including a holster that can attach to your belt loop, an automobile visor clip and a quick release keychain. Pepper Shot is sure to keep your peace of mind intact, no matter what state you live in.

I’ve carried several forms of pepper spray over the years, and I always toss an old can after a few years for fear of it not working as well as a fresh can. Throughout my time carrying this invaluable piece of protection, I’ve observed wonderful innovations that have made keeping pepper spray handy much more easy and convenient. I’ve gone from large, bug-spray-sized cans to pocket-sized pepper spray keychains and everything in between! The handheld, easy-to-conceal versions of pepper spray make me feel the safest.

That said, my favorite kind of pepper spray is a pepper spray baton. Pepper spray batons are long and thin, making them easy to conceal in a closed fist. This gives me an advantage over an attacker, since he can’t see my method of defense soon enough to disable it. Mace batons have a maximum strength formula, and include six powerful bursts of pepper spray that shoot up to five feet. This means you don’t have to let your attacker get too close before you spray him in the eyes with 2 million Scoville heat units worth of burning. For the record, the extremely hot Habanero chili rates 100,000-350,000 Scoville heat units. Grinding Habanero into one’s eyes would be bad enough – imagine the painful burn of this bad baton!

Depending on the size, a canister of pepper spray can be quite a clumsy object to carry around, and it can be even more difficult to use given a tense situation.  Keeping a large canister of pepper spray concealed in your coat, purse, or backpack can also take up a lot of room, especially for an object so seldom used.  Instead of carrying regular sized pepper spray, keep a pocket pepper spray concealed on your person.  These smaller canisters of pepper spray pack the same amount of power as a regular canister, but are available in a more functional size.  The only drawback to these smaller canisters is that they fire fewer bursts of pepper spray before becoming depleted.  But a single burst of pepper spray is enough to knock out an attacker, and having more is really only necessary for multiple uses. 

All people living in an area with potential danger should carry a canister of pocket pepper spray for protection.  Pepper spray is one of the most reliable and humane ways to deter a potential attacker, and many attackers will be deterred by the presence of pepper spray alone. 

While police are often criticized for having inadequate training, the truth is, even police officers performing the most standard tasks (like issuing parking tickets) have to go through a rigorous training phase.  While films like Police Academy have lampooned the process by which police officers are trained, the training is quite strenuous, and many candidates don’t pass.  Even qualifying for law enforcement training can be quite a chore, as police officers have to pass stringent background checks and jump through several hoops before being accepted. 

While training, future law enforcement officers learn hundreds of valuable skills, and must pass tests that test their physical and mental limits.  In addition, future police officers sometimes must test the weapons they would use on others on themselves, to understand how the weapon works and how to overcome the same threat should the situation arise.  For example, it’s common for law enforcement officers to be hit with a burst of police pepper spray during training.  They experience the stinging sensation and learn how to compensate for it, and also recognize how it will affect a potential attacker.

In certain states, pepper spray has been banned or is otherwise not approved in its traditional form.  There are a few ways to get around a ban, and also ensure that you are protected from potential attackers.  For states like Michigan in which only a special kind of pepper spray is allowed, you can purchase Michigan approved pepper spray, which is a special blend of Mace or Tear Gas that contains a dye to make it easy for law enforcement to identify an attacker.  In other states where pepper spray is banned altogether, it is possible to purchase pepper spray designed to be used for protection from animals such as bears. 

When choosing to buy pepper spray, ensure that you are aware of your state’s practices and regulations to avoid breaking the law and potential fines or more serious consequences.

The old method of dating was to meet people through friends of acquaintances, but with internet dating as the new standard, it’s often that you go on a date with someone whom you only know through the internet.  Because communication and interaction through the internet can be at times deceitful, it’s important to be prepared.  You should ensure that a friend or family member knows where you are going, and when you will return.  It is also wise to buy pepper spray or pepper gel if you don’t happen to own some already. 

Should you encounter a situation which makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t debate about social niceties, leave right away without informing your date if necessary.  There are other fish in the sea, and keeping yourself safe is the most important.

Pepper spray is an excellent deterrent to an attacker, as it has immediate and severe reactions. It’s an inflammatory, and will cause immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, a runny nose, and coughing. According to the European Parliament Scientific and Technological Options Assessment, the chemical will cause temporary blindness which can last from 15 to 30 minutes, and create a burning sensation on the skin which can last 45 minutes to one hour. It also leads to upper body spasms, which will force the attacker to bend forward and cough uncontrollably, making it difficult to talk or breathe for three to 15 minutes.

For anyone who is walking alone at night, or just doesn’t feel comfortable in their surroundings, pepper spray is an excellent choice for self-defense. State laws vary on who can purchase the spray and where, so look into them.

While walking alone, if you sense a problem heading toward you, change your route, and prepare to run and defend yourself.  Do not wear conspicuous jewelry, and act confident, maintaining eye contact, which makes an aggressor think twice before approaching you.  Carry pepper spray, and know how to use it. If you choose to take public transport, wait in a well-lit area for the bus to arrive and choose an aisle seat once you board so that you can make a quick exit, preferably close to the driver.

If you are traveling alone by car, approach your vehicle with keys in hand and ready to use.  Check your car before entering to ensure it is empty, and lock all doors and windows every time you leave the car.  Attackers wait for opportunities when someone runs into the store quickly and fails to do so.

Pepper spray is a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness that is used in crowd control and personal self-defense. The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is a chemical derived from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus, including chilis. Long-term effects of pepper spray have not been effectively researched.

A synthetic analogue is used in another version of pepper spray known as PAVA spray which is used in England. Another synthetic counterpart of pepper spray, pelargonic acid morpholide, was developed and is widely used in Russia. Its effectiveness compared to natural pepper spray is unclear and it has caused some injuries.

Pepper spray typically comes in canisters, which are often small enough to be carried or concealed in a pocket or purse. Pepper spray can also be bought concealed in items such as rings. There are also pepper spray projectiles available, which can be fired from a paintball gun.