| If approached by a drug-abused attacker, | | | | victim. |
| would you know what to do? Don't risk you or | | | | |
| your family's safety. Save yourself hundreds | | | | There are many different benefits to using |
| of dollars in self-defence classes, and | | | | pepper spray as a self-defence tool. Firstly, |
| consider always having pepper spray in you | | | | pepper spray is a non-lethal and extremely |
| purse or bag. | | | | effective self-defence tool when sprayed in |
| | | | the facial area or eyes. It can put a safe |
| Pepper spray, used by law enforcement | | | | distance between you and an attacker and |
| officials throughout the world, has long been | | | | gives you plenty of time to escape and seek |
| used as an effective deterrent against all | | | | help. Also, pepper spray is one of the most |
| would-be criminals. Once hit by a shot of | | | | economical ways of protecting yourself and is |
| pepper spray, your would-be attacker will | | | | not typically restricted by law. Due to the |
| think twice about trying to approach you | | | | non-lethal nature of pepper spray, a permit |
| again. Quite simply, pepper spray is one of | | | | is not usually required to carry it. |
| the most effective self-defence products on | | | | |
| the market today. | | | | There are several different ways to measure |
| | | | the effectiveness of your pepper spray, which |
| There is an important difference between tear | | | | you should keep in mind when you plan to buy |
| gas and pepper spray. There are three major | | | | pepper spray. Pepper spray is rated in two |
| chemicals used in different types of | | | | separate ways: the OC% and SHU rating. The |
| defensive sprays. The first two are known as | | | | percentage sign you see on the side of the |
| CS and CN - more commonly known to the public | | | | package (15%, 20% etc.) explains the |
| as tear gas. These man-made chemicals are | | | | "hotness" of the pepper spray relative to the |
| designed to irritate the membrane - which | | | | rest of the ingredients. Also, if you look at |
| include the eyes, nose, throat, and lung | | | | the ingredients, the more capsaicin content |
| tissues. When received in large quantities | | | | the OC has, the hotter and more effective the |
| these chemicals cause the heavy flow of tears | | | | spray will be. Check also to see the |
| and can produce mucus. | | | | expiration date on the side of the canister |
| | | | to see how old it is - the older the can the |
| However, pepper spray works in a different | | | | less effective the spray. |
| way. Firstly, the reaction to pepper spray is | | | | |
| completely involuntary - and is not dependent | | | | Because pepper spray is economical, |
| on pain response. As a result, pepper spray | | | | effective, and used by people all around the |
| is most effective on those who do not feel | | | | world as a tool of self-defence, it is |
| pain, such as psychotics, drug abusers, and | | | | important to consider purchasing it when |
| drunks. Pepper spray is also and effective | | | | considering a tool designed to protect you |
| way to control wild animals - whereas in any | | | | and your family. Just think, when approached |
| of these situations, tear gas is not | | | | by an attacker, will you be ready? |
| effective. | | | | |
| | | | RESOURCE BOX: |
| There are several other differences between | | | | |
| pepper spray and tear gas. Tear gas vaporizes | | | | BLJ's Enterprises is a top provider of self |
| to some extent. Whereas pepper spray does not | | | | defense tools, including Pepper Spray Mace, |
| emit fumes and it will not deteriorate with | | | | in the United States. At their website, you |
| age. However, unlike tear gas, pepper spray | | | | will find quality products as well as free |
| must be sprayed into the eyes or inhaled | | | | in-depth information regarding personal |
| directly to be effective. Also, pepper spray | | | | protection. |
| works faster than tear gas to subdue a | | | | |