Pepper Spray Tutorial

There are several types of pepper spray available today and it can be confusing in determining which type to get. There are three chemical compounds that pepper sprays are made from:

• CS (Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile)
• CN (alphachloroacetaphenone)
• OC (Oleoresin Capsicum)

The first two listed, CS and CN, irritate the membrane tissues and cause stinging and tearing of your eyes. They can take several seconds before they are effective. They may not work well if someone is drunk, on drugs, psychotic, or can't feel pain. The time delay and the fact that they may or may not be effective is enough to keep some people from purchasing or using the CS or CN self-defense sprays. The other compound, OC, doesn't have these limitations.

OC, called Pepper Spray, is an inflammatory agent; not an irritant. When someone is sprayed with OC pepper spray, the person's eyes slam shut. Even if someone does manage to get their eyes open, they won't be able to see because OC dilates the capillaries and causes temporary blindness. Additionally, instant inflammation of the breathing tissues restricts all but life support breathing. They double over coughing uncontrollably. OC is made from hot peppers that you use in cooking. The degree of heat is determined by the type and combination of peppers used.

Wildfire Pepper Spray can have up to 3,000,000 SHU.

I heard there are people who aren't affected by pepper spray?

What you have heard about are the man-made compounds referred to as the CS or CN sprays. These sprays are the actual tear gases. For example, military personnel are subjected to similar chemicals in the course of their training to simulate a chemical attack. After repeated training session exposures, a resistance is built up so it does not affect them as much. It's also true that some people are just not as affected as much others are. Law enforcement and military personnel, and a very determined criminal can fight through the effects of CS or CN chemical sprays. A wet rag over their nostrils and mouth can reduce the effects of CS and CN sprays to some degree.

Pepper Spray, though, has the effect of putting a barrier between the assailant and the sprayer. When someone gets a full blast of OC pepper spray, they will stop what they are doing. They simply can't overcome the effects as they are involuntary bodily responses. Even those people previously mentioned that could withstand the effects of tear gas, are affected by actual pepper spray. It doesn't matter whether they are drunk, on drugs, or psychotic. Their body reacts to the intrusion immediately.

How do I decide which one to buy?

As it became common knowledge in law enforcement that OC is superior to CN and CS, several new brands became available with different concentrations, formulations, sizes, and spray patterns. Choosing the right one is an important decision for when the time comes you'll need to use it.

Pepper Spray Considerations

Size and capacity: Sizes can range from a 1/2 ounce personal pepper spray up to 9 ounces for the bear pepper spray. Key chain type pepper sprays, or the belt or in a purse size ones are ideal for most people and conditions. The smallest 1/2 ounce units have enough in them to handle multiple attackers when done correctly. The two primary considerations are the spray range/distance and the number of shots. A 6-8 foot range is enough for most situations since most personal assaults will take occur within a 4 foot zone. Most pepper sprays are also classified by number of one second bursts they can deliver. A 1-2 second spray burst will disable almost any assailant.

Spray Pattern: There are 2 types of pepper spray patterns, stream and mist. Stream patterns usually have a range of up to 8 feet, but you must hit the assailant directly in the upper half of their face. Cone mists have shorter range, 2 feet or so, but you don't have to aim quite as well. If there is a breeze, a stream shot is preferred and better controlled. Mist sprays can be blown-off target or back to the sprayer. OC pepper spray is the most effective when it hits the eyes and nose. The mist is immediately inhaled, while the stream can take longer for the assailant to breathe it in. It is critical to attempt to hit the attacker in the face!

What else should I know when purchasing pepper sprays?

Aside from size and capacity, and the spray pattern of pepper spray, the formula's strength can also be a consideration.

Strength: OC comes in concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, or even higher. Wildfire Pepper Spray has a 18% rated formula. Bear and dog pepper sprays are not rated in a percentage as they are a special formulations. Due to the different marketing that has evolved about pepper sprays, the percentage of active ingredient is not always a good indicator of effectiveness. Four Corner Security only carries the highest quality pepper sprays, including Mace brand and Pepper Shot, both have been proven to be most effective.

Other factors: One of the most popular pepper sprays is the key chain model. This is a practical method because most people usually have their keys with them. Therefore, they will also have their pepper spray with them. However, for those occasions when you don't have your keys a small investment in an extra pepper spray could actually save your life!

The best pepper spray in the world will be worthless if you don't do a couple of things:

• Carry your pepper spray wherever you go, and
• Practice using it!

Mace Triple Action Spray	Pepper Shot Key chain Spray	Mace Dog Repellent

We always recommended getting an extra pepper spray to use for practice purposes. That way you'll feel confident when the time comes that you may need to use it. You will want to familiarize yourself with its use by reading the instructions, but practice makes perfect! You don't necessarily have to get the same model that you'll carry everyday. You can get a cheaper model. The least expensive pepper spray can be seen on this page at the bottom. You'll want the confidence that you can quickly access your spray and fend off an attack.

Do a 1 second test with your regular pepper sprayer to be sure it works. Be sure to practice outdoors and that the wind is not blowing in your direction. Having an extra practice pepper spray lets you take several shots and/or a family member get in some practice, as well.

If you can stop an assailant with pepper spray from several feet away, you'll have a greater chance of getting away unharmed. The assailant won't be able to keep their eyes open, which makes pretty difficult to attack or follow you. Get to a safe area and call the police to report the incident and describe the attacker.

Some of the pepper sprays we carry have an ultra violet dye or visible vegetable dye that police will be able to use to identify a attacker.

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