Pepper Spray

There are so many types of Pepper Spray on the market today that it has become confusing for you to decide which one to get. There are three basic chemical compounds that compose these defensive sprays.

• CS (Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile)
• CN (alphachloroacetaphenone)
• OC (Oleoresin Capsicum)
  
  The first two, CS and CN, irritate the membrane tissues and cause stinging and tearing. They can take from 5 to 30 seconds before they are effective and may not work 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 turn people away from the self defense sprays. However, the remaining compound, OC, does not have these limitations.

OC, or 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 suport breathing. They double over coughing uncontrollably.

Pepper Shot Spray

But I hear about people who are not affected by pepper spray?

What you have heard about are the man made chemical compounds commonly referred to as CS or CN. These are your tear gases. For example, military personnel are subjected to similar chemicals in the course of their training to simulate a chemical attack in a war time situation. After repeated exposure, a resistance is built up so the "gas chamber," as it is called, does not affect them as much. And it''s true that some people are just not as affected as others are. Other law enforcement personnel, martial artists, and yes, even determined criminals can fight through the effects of CS or CN chemical sprays.

Chemical Compounds that make up defensive sprays:

• CS (Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile)
• CN (alphachloroacetaphenone)
• OC (Oleoresin Capsicum)
  
  Pepper Spray, on the other hand, has the effect of putting a brick wall in between the assailant and the sprayer. When someone gets a full blast of OC Pepper Spray they stop what they are doing. They stop what they are thinking. Even people previously mentioned that could withstand the effects of tear gas, are very personally affected by OC pepper spray. This includes people that are drunk, on drugs, or psychotic.

Ok, so how do I decide which one to get?

Once it became known that OC is superior to CN and CS, many brands became available with different concentrations, formulations, sizes, and spray patterns. Choosing the right spray is a critical decision if the spray ever has to be used in a self defense situation. 

Defensive Spray Considerations