| One of the best and most popular methods of | | | | placenta of the plant. Heat ratings range from |
| non-lethal products for self defense is the use of | | | | 500,000 SHU's (Mace brand) up to 5.3 million SHU's. |
| defense sprays. These include CS and CN Tear | | | | What to look for is a brand that has a high |
| gas, and OC also know as Pepper Spray. These | | | | percentage from 10% on up, along with a high |
| are economical, safe, and effective choices for | | | | heat rating, preferably 2,000,000 SHU's. This gives |
| personal protection and have been used for | | | | you a high percentage of a very hot spray, which |
| decades. | | | | means the out of the nozzle heat will be strong |
| CS and CN tear gas sprays used to be the most | | | | and give you stopping power. |
| popular sprays for civilian use. Generally CS was | | | | I sell the Streetwise brand at 17% and 2,000,000 |
| available for civilians while law enforcement used | | | | SHU's which will bring down even the most |
| CN. Contrary to much mis-information on the | | | | determined attacker. Some other great brands |
| internet these days, CN was the one used by law | | | | are Sabre Red at 10%, Spitfire at 10%, |
| enforcement because it worked much faster than | | | | Bodyguard LE also at 10%. These high quality |
| CS when employed in aerosol sprays. CS required | | | | formulations are all 2,000,000 SHU's which makes |
| a more direct hit in the eyes, and took up to 30 | | | | them very effective. The chemical that makes |
| seconds to take effect, while CN worked in 2-5 | | | | OC hot is called capsaicin and the above sprays all |
| seconds and was effective hitting the assailant | | | | have at least 1 % capsaicin content which make |
| anywhere from the chin on up, even from the | | | | them very hot. |
| chest up, due to quick evaporation. Of the two, | | | | WHICH MODEL TO PURCHASE |
| once the CS took effect, it was much stronger | | | | Here again there are many to choose from. We |
| and took longer for recovery. | | | | will keep it simple in this article. The best type to |
| Later on, law enforcement switched to pepper | | | | carry for anyone who drives is a keychain unit. |
| spray also known as OC (oleo-resin capsicum). OC | | | | These are either units in a leatherette holster, or |
| had been around for a long time usually | | | | a hard molded holster both with a key ring to |
| advertised in women's magazines or for use by | | | | attach car keys. These are the best selling units |
| the postman for dogs. However the potency of | | | | because it is normal to have your car keys in |
| those sprays was generally around .35 percent up | | | | hand when going to and from your car, and that |
| to 1 percent, much weaker than the OC of today. | | | | is precisely where most attacks take place. |
| The reason for the switch is that law | | | | Imagine trying to fumble in a purse to try to find |
| enforcement often have to deal with people | | | | your pepper spray when a big, bad guy is on the |
| under the influence of alcohol and drugs, or in a | | | | attack! When the OC is in hand, all you need do is |
| mental state where they are impervious to pain. | | | | point and shoot. |
| Tear gasses are irritants and work using pain for | | | | For in the car, or at home, or even a pocket, a 2 |
| compliance. OC on the other hand is an | | | | oz cannister is a good size to have. This size |
| inflammatory agent that while causing much pain, | | | | gives you more distance and gets a lot more |
| works whether the target feels pain or not. This | | | | spray on your attacker. It also will not run out as |
| is because being an inflammatory agent, it causes | | | | quickly as a key ring unit, which is generally a half |
| the eyes to shut on impact, the capillaries of the | | | | ounce. These are the two most practical units for |
| eyes swell, causing temporary blindness, so even | | | | the average person. 3 and 4 ounce units are also |
| if the subject gets an eye open they can't see. If | | | | good for car or home. |
| it gets in the respiratory tract it shuts down all | | | | Pepper spray can be purchased in a cone spray, |
| but life support breathing, and leaves the subject | | | | splatter stream, or foam. Each is effective and |
| coughing and choking. Thirdly, it also causes | | | | has it's strong points. Cone spray soaks the |
| confusion and panic and extreme burning | | | | attacker's face and causes instant respiratory |
| sensation to the skin and mucous membranes. | | | | difficulties, blindness, and choking. However you |
| With a direct hit OC will work almost instantly. | | | | have less range, and it can blow back in your face |
| Even with all the powerful effects of pepper | | | | fairly easy with a breeze. |
| spray, it is non-lethal, and it's effects wear off | | | | Splatter stream gives you much more distance |
| within 45 minutes. | | | | but requires a little more accuracy and may have |
| WHICH BRAND TO BUY? | | | | less effect on the respiratory tract, but also will |
| Which brand to buy can be confusing for the | | | | not blow back so easy. |
| average person. 'There are many brands to | | | | Foam expands up to 600% on the attacker's |
| choose from, some of lesser quality, and some | | | | face, blocking vision and causing him to try to |
| good ones. What you want is a brand that will | | | | wipe it off and grinding into his own face. Foam |
| stop an attacker from further aggression, giving | | | | does not have cross contamination, and does not |
| you a chance to get away safely. Police officers | | | | blow back unless in a very strong wind. However, |
| use OC to subdue and restrain and have the | | | | it has almost no respiratory effects, and unless |
| benefit of back-up and deadly force if need be. | | | | you move away your attacker might try to |
| Consequently police often use sprays that are not | | | | throw some at you. |
| as powerful, as they also have to clean up a | | | | For most people I would recommend cone or |
| suspect when getting him to jail. Civilians do not | | | | splatter stream as they have the most effect on |
| have the luxury of back up, or deadly force most | | | | an attacker and give you some distance, |
| of the time, and do not have to clean up their | | | | especially splatter stream. There are also fog units |
| attacker, so what you want is the most powerful | | | | that really blast a lot of spray and are good for |
| and nasty spray you can use. | | | | several attackers but because of the volume that |
| OC sprays range from 1% up to 17% | | | | comes out they will not spray for long. |
| concentration of pepper, and are rated in Scoville | | | | Hopefully this article will give you a basic |
| heat units, or SHU'S which are how hot peppers | | | | knowledge of OC pepper spray and it's |
| even in foods are rated. OC is generally made | | | | effectiveness. Nothing wraps you in armour, but |
| from cayenne and habenero peppers, from the | | | | OC can give you an edge and peace of mind. |