How to Choose the Right Self Defense Spray

Tear gas is one of the types of irritant self defense sprays that are available in the world. Another is a pepper spray which is used as an inflammatory agent. The tear gas irritants are made up of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile or CS, and chloroacetophenone or CN, while the pepper spray is made up of oleoresin capsicum or OC. Tear gas is a product that will cause tears, coughing, vomiting and pain; it will irritate the soft membranes in the eyes, throat, lungs and other soft tissue, although sometimes people who are intoxicated with alcohol, drugs, or are psychotic may not feel the effects of tear gas. Both these products can have complications and take a longer time to wear off; it has been suggested that because of these reasons only a trained professional should use these products.

Pepper spray is another of the types of self defense sprays that may be available; it is a product that causes dilation of the capillaries in the eyes resulting in a temporary blindness and uncontrolled closing of the eyes. Pepper spray comes from the processing of chili peppers, and it also affects the respiratory tract by inflaming it resulting in difficulty breathing and uncontrolled coughing, as well as spasms of the upper body. An individual who has been sprayed with pepper spray will feel the effects almost immediately and this can last for up to four hours. Heat in defense spray peppers are measured in Scoville heat units which is also known as SHU. The SHU of a habanero pepper can be approximately 300,000 heat units, while the SHU of a jalapeno pepper is approximately 5,000 heat units. Obtaining a pepper spray with the right amount of heat units is something that needs to be worked out so it will work effectively as a defense spray.

The types of self defense sprays that are available are purchased in a suspension. This suspension can be a foam, liquid, or gel, and they all produce the spray in a different way. Foams and gels are heavier than liquids and will generally spray out further; they are also more effective in windy condition than the liquid sprays which can be blown about. Liquids come as foggers, stream sprays and cone mist. Foggers are an extremely fine mist and are very effective as they are easily inhaled to quickly inflame the eyes and linger in the air helping to allow the escape of a person being attacked. These are only effective at a short distance and are affected by air currents.

Cone mist sprays also have a similar affect to that of foggers; they produce a fine mist in a broad spray pattern which can also be affected by air currents. Being aware of this can avoid the problems of the air currents blowing the spray back on oneself and using the wind to advantage can also be looked at. Stream sprays cover a longer distance, are not affected as much by air currents and require an accurate aim. This spray is produced in a stream which breaks up on impact and is quite effective for getting on everything but is not as easily breathed in. Some of these products contain a UV dye and can be seen using a black light which can help to identify an attacker. Check with your local laws before obtaining a defense spray as there may be certain restrictions.

Sources: Chris E McGoey, Self Defense:Tear Gas and Pepper Spray


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