Self defense sprays like mace and pepper spray are one of the very common self defense weapons carried by the common person. Unfortunately very few those who actually carry a self defense spray know a lot of anything about their weapon. pc 647b
Employing a self defense spray is not really a simple as point and shoot. Although these products can give you great protection there are 5 basic things you have to know before you buy and use a self defense spray.
1. What's the potency of your self defense spray?
To answer this question you usually look at the packaging of the item you intend to buy or the description if you should be buying online.
You can find two methods self defense sprays like mace and pepper spray are rated. The very first is a way of measuring the percentage of oleoresin capsicum (OC) in the product. Oleoresin capsicum may be the items that makes pepper spray burn. A high percentage does not necessarily mean a more efficient product.
The next way it's measured is by measuring the Scoville Heat Units (SHU) of the product. This measurement is significantly more important because this is exactly what the attacker will feel. The problem with high OC% products is which they tend to be thick and difficult to disperse. You wish to pick a product with a minimum of 2,000,000 SHU.
If the item you are looking at has no rating don't buy it, even if it looks like a good deal. The last thing you want is to spray an attacker with something that just pisses him off.
2. The length of time will it last?
Self defense sprays have an expiration date. They lose their potency over time. Which means that you will have to replace your product regularly. When you have been carrying around the same can of pepper spray for a long time throw it out. It will undoubtedly be of little use.
When you buy pepper spray try to find an expiration date. You never want to buy an item that has been sitting on the shelf for years.
3. What's the spray pattern?
You can find numerous different spray patterns which can be utilized in self defense sprays. These include stream, foam, fog, and cone. Each has its place and advantages. The stream sprays can be utilized at distances of up to 20 ft. This however requires great accuracy and includes a lower success rate.
For many people I would recommend the fog or cone spray pattern. They're more likely to affect others with overspray, but due to how well they are dispersed they tend to be highly effective. They're only effective if your attacker is up near to you, but this is the most common self defense scenario anyways.
Self defense sprays with the fog or cone spray pattern tend to get into the attackers eyes nose and mouth making them highly effective at incapacitating the attacker with little chance of permanent damage.
4. How big may be the canister?
As it pertains to self defense sprays larger is not necessarily better. Until you have been in police or security you probably won't want to carry a sizable canister in your hip every day.
Because of this I suggest utilizing a small discrete self defense spray. Many manufactures create a version that looks like a pen and could be carried every day. Pepper spray won't would you much good if you leave it in the home or in your glove box because it's too bulky.
Also if you don't have been in police a sizable canister is simply a waste. You will probably never have to use your self defense spray multiple times before it expires. So save some funds and get a small single use canister.
5. Is it legal?
Many states have restrictions on self defense sprays; these restrictions control who are able to buy these products, and the size and concentration of the product. These states include New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington D.C., and California.
For the actual details of the restrictions contact your neighborhood police or sheriff's department.
Lastly some individuals see self defense sprays as something that should only be used by women and the elderly. This can be a foolish macho idea that is promoted by those who aren't dealing with serious threats on a regular basis.