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Are Pepper Sprays Better Than Man-Made Chemical Defense Sprays?
Posted under pepper spray by Karleen LindseyIn this article I’m going to talk about the newest, most effective chemical compound of the 3 basic ones used in self-defense sprays.
OC, which stands for Oleoresin Capsicum, is not an irritant as are the other two. It is a natural chemical, whereas the other two are both man-made chemicals.
“Oleoresin” is a mixture of a semisolid substance from the sap of some plants and trees, while “Capsicum” is a red hot pepper fruit. Oleoresin Capsicum is made from the oils of various hot pepper plants, which is why it is referred to as a pepper spray. It is non toxic and won’t harm human tissue, unlike the other two man made chemicals.
As an inflammatory agent, the OC pepper spray has an immediate effect upon contact with the assailant being sprayed. Temporary blindness is caused when the capillaries of the eyes dilate and the terrible burning sensation from the pepper spray will cause uncontrollable clamping shut of the eyes. Immediate inflammation of the lungs and throat will cause the assailant to fall to his knees in a gasping attempt to inhale more air than his inflamed breathing tissues will allow. He will only be able to get enough oxygen to keep from passing out and may also experience nausea and vomiting.
After about 20 to 45 minutes, the effects of the OC pepper spray will wear off, leaving no permanent damage. He will make a complete recovery, hopefully in jail. The victim has had time to escape while the assailant is struggling with just trying to breathe.
The other 2 chemical compound defense sprays will not have a stopping effect on someone who is high on drugs or in an intense high adrenalin state of some forms of psychosis, nor will it have a stopping power against an animal attack. OC pepper spray IS effective in all of these situations.
OC Pepper sprays come in stream, cone and fog emissions.
1. The OC stream spray has a shooting range of approximately 15 to 20 feet. It is less likely to be blown back into the face of the one dispensing the spray. If the user makes a direct hit into the face of the assailant, the pepper spray will break up into tiny droplets, stopping the attacker and dropping him to his knees from the inflammatory effects. The negative aspect of this stream type pepper spray is that it doesn’t release the OC as successfully as the cone or fog mist.
2. The wider spray pattern of the cone pepper spray has the advantage of creating a mist barrier between the user and the assailant or multiple assailants, allowing the user time to get out of the situation. It’s finer density than the stream spray assures an instantaneous debilitating effect on the assailant. One disadvantage of the cone spray is that the smaller ones will only shoot to a range of 6 or 8 feet, although the larger 3 or 4 oz. canisters will spray a range of up to 12 to 15 feet. The cone spray is also uncontrollable in a strong breeze and may spray back into the user’s face. Therefore, the user must not linger after spraying, but exit the premises as quickly as possible.
3. Fog mist spray: This has the most effective stopping power with it’s very fine mist. Any intake of breath immediately takes the mist to the lung tissue, incapacitating the assailant. Most fog misters have a spray range of 15 to 20 ft. and work well even in a wind. The mist forms a barrier that hangs in a breeze-less air for several minutes, keeping one or more assailants at bay while you make a quick escape. The only real drawback to the fog mister pepper spray is that the number of shots per unit is less than the stream or cone spray due to the high pressure and large amount of chemical released in the mist.
The important thing to remember with any defense spray is that it can save your life if used correctly. Of course they all have their positive and negative aspects, but the main thing is to get familiar with the defense spray you choose. Go through the motions of a pretend attack to get you familiar with how to hold the unit, making sure the nozzle is pointed away from you. Practice a pretend spray and run technique because the most important action in a serious situation is to get away as quickly and safely as possible. Be assured the spray will stop the perpetrator, so run away without looking back to see what is happening and get to a safe place where you can contact the authorities. Pepper sprays are well worth the affordable investment and it is always safer to have one and not use it than to need one and not have it.
Karleen Lindsey is a campaigner for the use of non-deadly weapons in protecting women. Since her own close brush with violence 30 yrs ago she has been interested in helping more women achieve faith in themselves and a mentality of security in every situation. You can visit her website for self-protection products at Self Protection Products and Defense sprays
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