Pepper spray has been on the civilian market since the early 1990's, and is currently in use by thousands of police departments across the United States. Except in very rare circumstances, it is non-lethal. A few very rare individuals have no reaction to the stuff at all. But the vast majority of people do react to it in strong and predictable ways, and those reactions make pepper spray a viable means of defense in some situations.

Pepper spray is made from extracts of cayenne pepper. Properly called Oleoresin Capsicum, or OC, its effectiveness is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). It comes in different sizes and different concentrations. Sizes range from tiny enough to hang on your keychain (.5 oz) up to big enough to stop a bear (9 ounces or more) ... if the bear is feeling cooperative.

Concentrations of OC, the active ingredient in pepper spray, range from 5% up to around 20% or even more. While a higher concentration is generally better, the concentration isn't the only consideration. You also want the "hottest" hot you can get, which would be the highest SHU number possible. Most OC products will be marked with both numbers, the SHU and the percentage of OC contained within the inert carrier. Steer clear of those products which are not marked with both these numbers, because the chances are that the number they're not giving you is unacceptably low.

Here's where it gets complicated, neither the SHU nor the concentration percentage tells the whole story by itself, so you'll need to find a way to take both numbers into account while you are shopping. For example, say you have a can of 15% OC with a claimed SHU of 1,000,000, and you want to compare it with a can of 10% OC with an SHU of 2,000,000. There really isn't a common denominator between these two cans, so which one would be more effective in use? To determine that, you can multiply the concentration (15% or.15) by the claimed SHU (1,000,000). This gives you a common denominator which allows you to directly compare any two sprays for which you have both numbers.

Pepper spray is not the same thing as Mace. Or rather, it isn't always. Mace is a brand name which originally applied only to a particular type of chemical irritant more commonly known as "tear gas." The spray sold today under the Mace brand name is generally an OC spay, not tear gas. But just to keep things confusing, in some jurisdictions it's possible to purchase Mace brand products which combine tear gas with OC. 

Physical Effects

What are the effects of OC?

 .    Eyes -- The target's eyes water profusely and then slam shut. The effect is somewhat similar to there action some people experience while slicing raw onions, but much, much, much stronger. It is physiologically impossible for the target to open his eyes again as long as the OC residue is still in his eyes or on the skin near his eyes.

 .    Nose -- Snot production kicks into high gear, like the first day of the worst cold you've ever had in your life, only a whole lot worse. Someone who has just been sprayed with OC will often have literal strings of snot flowing out of their nose and down the front of their shirt. Icky! Some of the mucous will drip down the back of the nasal passages, producing a claustrophobic drowning sensation.

 .    Breathing passages -- As the product moves into the target's system, all mucous membranes begin to be affected. The back of the throat and the lungs may feel as if they're burning, and many people begin to feel as if they cannot get a good breath, or as if they are suffocating in their own snot.

 .    Skin -- Wherever the OC hits the skin, there will be a burning sensation, which most people report ranges in intensity from mild ("like a really bad sunburn") up through fairly severe ("like a pot of boiling tea just got spilled on me"). The skin turns a blotchy, mottled red and looks inflamed.

 .    Other -- Frequently, as a result of the blindness and mucus production, the target will feel claustrophobic. His hands will often go to his face, dropping whatever he was holding, and he may even fall to his knees and curl up into a fetal position.1

These physical effects generally begin to occur within five seconds of the time the spray hits the skin, and the sensations can last an hour or more. Five seconds may not sound like much, but it is a very long time in street-fighting terms -- certainly enough time for an attacker to pull the trigger of a gun or to make a killing thrust with a knife. This is a crucial fact to keep in mind as you formulate your defense plan. Remember, too, that "five seconds" is a very general time frame and refers to when the OC begins to take effect. Depending on the situation, the physical response may take much longer to begin -- or it may not happen at all.

Different people react to OC differently, and the reactions can range from very mild clear through life-threatening. People who do not react to it at all are extremely rare. But even though such folks are extremely rare, they do exist. If you're going to use OC for defense, you should have an immediate plan for what you will do if the OC does not have the intended effect, and the attacker keeps coming. The most important thing to remember is never, ever quit until your attacker does.

Types of OC

OC spray comes out of the can in three basic patterns: a cone, a stream, and a foam. The cone pattern is basically similar to the pattern from a can of Lysol, while the stream and the foam are both similar in pattern to different wasp-killing products you can buy at the garden store. Also, there are new OC products on the market which do not function like an aerosol but instead propel one or two doses of OC using a pyrotechnic charge.

The cone works best when shot at close range directly into the attacker's face. It quickly spreads out to affect a larger area, so it requires the least accuracy in aiming. It is quickest into the attacker's eyes, and is most likely to get down into the attacker's breathing passages and lungs, thus causing quicker and more definite incapacitation than the other two aerosol spray patterns. It is quickest to disperse, especially on a windy day. The cone pattern is likely to affect the user, though not as much as it will affect the target. Because it is the quickest in action and requires the least precision in aiming, a cone pattern OC spray is probably the best choice for most people.

The stream can affect the attacker's skin and eyes, but will only affect the eyes if there's a solid hit to the face. It may affect breathing passages, but more slowly and with less intensity than the effect given by the cone. A good effect is more likely if the stream hits the attacker square in the nose or mouth while the attacker is inhaling. A stream which misses the face entirely will affect only the attacker's skin and will neither blind him nor affect his breathing. On the plus side, the jet of OC is easily visible, so it may be possible to "walk it in" to the desired target if the initial burst is poorly aimed. The foam pattern is often used inside prisons and jails, where either of the other two patterns might contaminate the air in an enclosed space. With the foam, it is easiest to see what you are doing and where it has hit. However, I am aware of at least two correctional facilities which no longer use the foam because inmates have learned to quickly swipe the stuff off them and throw or shove it back onto the guards -- a messy and painful situation.

Pepper Spray in Use

Now that the basic facts are established, it's time to discuss actually using the stuff. There are a lot of myths about pepper spray out there, and perhaps a lot of false expectations about what it can do. I am going to try to give an honest, balanced view of both the good things and the bad things about relying on pepper spray for self-defense. And to be sure you know where I am coming from, here is my bottom line, right up front: I think the stuff can be extremely useful in some circumstances, but I don't believe it's the magic talisman we all wish it were.

Now to the nitty-gritty.

A major reason that OC spray works well for defense is that unlike nearly any other form of defense short of a firearm -- the defender does not have to physically touch the attacker or get within the attacker's grabbing distance in order to use it. That's a very important consideration, not to be taken lightly. Staying out of arm's reach is a major goal for someone who just wants to get away from an attacker and go home safe!

There's another important reason to make staying out of reach and immediately running away your primary goals. That's because of the risk of cross-contamination. Of course, you're a smart, well-prepared person, so before you purchased OC spray you gathered up your courage, got yourself to a class,and found out how you personally respond to the stuff. If you did that, you know you don't want to risk the cross-contamination you would experience if you had to grapple with the attacker after spraying him. Your best bet for avoiding cross-contamination is to spray, dodge, and flee.

A great deal of pepper spray's effectiveness depends upon the blinding reaction it creates. OC makes the attacker's eyes go blurry with painfully irritating tears, and then slam solidly shut. But if the attacker already has you in his physical grasp, simply blinding him may not be enough,and it won't help you as much as it would if, after you blinded him, he did not know exactly where you were. Once he has you in his grip, he does not have to see you in order to keep holding onto you and controlling your movement. If you're given a choice between OC'ing an attacker who already has a hold of you, or not fighting back at all, by all means, FIGHT!  But try to avoid letting it get to that point, whenever possible. Avoid letting him get his hands on you, If he does, plan to fight your way to safety, using the OC to briefly distract him as you fight your way free. Do not expect the spray to do all the work for you.

For all of these reasons, whenever you use OC spray on an assailant who is coming toward you, you should immediately jump or dodge to the side, getting outside your attacker's "lunge zone" as quickly as humanly possible. Then keep going. If possible, don't simply run from danger, but run toward safety, fleeing with a goal in mind. Be aware that the spray may not prevent the attacker from physically grabbing on to you if you do not step off his line of attack. He may simply lunge straight forward with arms outstretched, hoping to grab you before you escape. Avoid getting bear-hugged by an enraged, blinded assailant by dodging sharply to the side as you spray. Then flee as quickly as you can.

Carrying OC

As with any other weapon, the OC deep in your purse (or buried in the glove box, stuffed under the seat of the car, or shoved into the back of the nightstand drawer) is not going to be a lot of use to you when the crunch comes. If you need it at all, you'll need it in a hurry, and you simply won't have enough time to shovel through your purse or rummage under the seat to find the tool you need to defend yourself.

Fortunately, there are no laws against "brandishing" a canister of OC. As you walk alone to your car in a dark, deserted parking lot after work, you can simply dig the OC can out of your purse and hold it casually by your side while you are walking, relaxed but prepared to defend yourself if necessary.

"I don't want to hurt the attacker ..."

Women interested in self-defense really have it tough in our society. On the one hand, we've all heard the statistics about rape and violent crime. We all want to protect our children and defend our homes. On the other hand, these desires often conflict with the societal message that it's not feminine to hurt other people -- even an attacker intent on maiming or killing someone you love.

For those who are not yet ready to defend themselves with ultimate force, pepper spray can be a godsend. It allows an innocent person to defend herself with the knowledge that her action will not permanently harm the attacker. That knowledge can enable someone who does not want to hurt an assailant to nevertheless take the immediate, forceful steps she needs to take in order to get home safely.

Closely related to this, one cool thing about pepper spray is that it can be used in situations where lethal force would absolutely not be legally or ethically appropriate. Its after effects are generally very minimal, even non-existent. It can legally be used to prevent a simple assault, not just in the extreme event of a deadly threat. This means it can often be used sooner and more decisively, with less legal risk. It's use may protect the defender from having to make the ultimate choice to defend herself with a lethal weapon.

If not wanting to hurt an assailant is important to you, it is especially important that you understand that your best bet for protecting yourself and getting appropriate aid to the attacker is to flee immediately after using the spray. Do not stick around to see how it worked or to offer comfort to the downed attacker. Flee to safety, and call 911.

What about animals?

Pepper spray works with varying reliability on animals, its effectiveness depending upon the reason for the attack, the surrounding circumstances, and the defender's aim. Dogs and bears may be particularly vulnerable to OC, because of their highly sensitive, mucous-covered noses. Even if the spray itself does not stop the animal, sometimes the body language from a determined defender will. Whether you have pepper spray or not, it's important to note that turning your back on an advancing animal, or running from it, will often trigger the animal's most basic predator instincts. It's often safest to stand your ground and prepare to aggressively defend yourself and your loved ones.

Animal lovers should note that OC spray will do no permanent harm to someone's best friend, but may prevent you from being mauled and maimed for life -- if the spray gets to the right place. Remember to aim directly at the animal's nose, eyes, and open mouth. Spraying the animal's fur-protected body will not help. Use short bursts, and aim for the mucous membranes. When the canister is empty, don't just toss it away. If the animal is still there, shove the canister right down its throat, hard. Use everything within reach to defend yourself, and don't quit until the animal does. Use everything you've got to defend yourself.

As with protecting yourself from a human assailant, the most realistic way to use OC on an attacking animal is to be prepared with the canister already in your hand when the attack begins. This means that if you make a habit of hiking or walking outdoors along a trail known for dog or bear attacks, it is probably a good idea to simply carry the canister in one hand as you walk, or place it in a large jacket pocket if you have one. Don't bury it in the bottom of your backpack, because it won't do you any good down there.

Conclusion

If you do use the stuff on an attacker, your best immediate-action drill is to spray, dodge, and flee. Do not just stand there! Dodge to the side as you spray, then run away.

After you spray the assailant, there will be a brief gap while the spray takes effect. During that 3 to 5 seconds, a lot can happen. Be prepared for this gap and have a plan. Never expect the spray to do all your work for you; be prepared to fight your way to safety if you must.

By Kathy Jackson