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