Other Defensive Tools:
Pepper Spray
By Kathy Jackson
Full disclosure right up front: I do not carry pepper spray, and have
had very little direct experience with it. The information below came
from my notes when I took a combined class about pepper spray and short
baton (Kubotan, Persuader) use a few years back. I'm putting these notes
on the web to encourage folks to do their own research -- there are a
lot of myths about spray out there. The stuff isn't the magic we all wish
it were, but it can be a good addition to your defense plans once you
understand how to work within its limitations.
~ Kathy
The Basic Facts
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.
Note for College Students
Pepper spray is sometimes prohibited by school policy even where otherwise
legal. That's the bad news. The good news is that this is gradually changing.
If your school policy currently prohibits students from carrying pepper
spray on campus, but it's otherwise legal in your jurisdiction, you've
got a decent chance of getting the policy overturned if you are willing
to work at it.
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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 is possible
to purchase Mace brand products which combine tear gas with OC. These
products are decidedly not legal in most places, however, and generally
offer few advantages over a good-quality OC product.
Pepper spray itself is not legal everywhere. In some states and cities,
it is flat-out illegal. In others, it is regulated like firearms are,
and carrying a can of OC might require a carry permit just as carrying
a handgun does. Some states have limitations on the percentage of the
active ingredient, while others regulate the size of the container. If
you are not certain that pepper spray is legal in your jurisdiction, and
a basic web search does not turn up the information, call your local police
station and ask.
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 the reaction 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 (most notably Kimber's
LifeAct Guardian Angel), 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.
The brand name most frequently recommended by the cops I know is Fox Labs,
but there are many others on the market.
Since I have not had the opportunity to handle the newer, single-use OC
dispensers in person, there's little I can say about them. Consider this
an invitation to
drop me a note and enlighten me on the subject.
No matter which OC spray pattern is chosen, there is a significant chance
that the user will receive a dose of OC along with the assailant. Expect
this and plan for it! Remember that different people experience
OC differently, so unless you have been exposed to OC before, you really
do not know how your own personal body will respond to an accidental hit
of OC while you are defending yourself. The best way to prepare yourself,
emotionally and physically, for this very likely possibility is to experience
the spray's effects for yourself, allowing someone to spray you in a carefully
controlled setting. This means taking a class on the use of the spray,
during which you will have the opportunity to get sprayed with OC so you
may find out exactly how you respond to it. Once you have experienced
it, you will know what your body does in response to OC contamination.
In a good class you will also learn techniques which may allow you to
fight through the effects of OC if you are ever sprayed, either inadvertently
or by an attacker.
If you are not willing to risk OC contamination when you defend yourself,
or are unwilling to experience being sprayed in a controlled setting
beforehand, and thus do not know how you personally respond to the stuff,
I very, very, very strongly recommend that you do not carry OC
for defense.
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 ahold 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.
Avoid getting bear-hugged by an enraged, blinded assailant by dodging
sharply to the side as you spray, and then flee as quickly as you can.
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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
onto 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.
The element of surprise
One of OC's major weaknesses is that so many criminals already know exactly
how they will physically react to its use. If they've been arrested before,
they may have been sprayed while resisting arrest. They may have been
exposed to it in prison, either getting sprayed directly or getting cross-contaminated
when another prisoner was sprayed near them. This means that a lot of
the startle-shock-claustrophobic reaction simply will not happen to these
people: they've felt it before, and know that the feeling is temporary
and non-damaging. The threat of OC use is, to such people, no particular threat.
Closely related to this, someone who knows the spray is coming can signficantly
reduce its effects by taking a few simple physical actions such as holding
his breath or blocking his eyes from the spray. If he expects to be sprayed,
he can mentally prep himself to do what it takes to fight through the
spray's effects, pouncing before the spray can hit him or take full effect.
Even after being sprayed, he can reach up and force an eyelid open with
one hand while he shoots, stabs, or bludgeons his intended victim. He is by
no means out of the fight ... if he knows the OC is
coming and has mentally prepared for it.
This means that OC makes a particularly ineffective bargaining tool. Many
criminals aren't afraid of it at all, and warning one of these folks that
you are prepared to use OC just enrages them and gives them time to prepare
for an all-out fight. If you're going to use the stuff, your best bet
for maximum effectiveness is to use it unexpectedly. Do not warn anyone
you have it or that you are preparing to use it. Keep the element of surprise
on your side!
Carrying OC
The practical issues with carrying and using a can of OC to defend yourself
are very similar to the practical issues of carrying a gun. Realistically,
the tiny little keychain containers of OC you see around just aren't very
comforting. Most self-defense instructors will tell you that you'll need
at least a two-second burst of OC, repeated more than once as needed.
The keychain jobbies just aren't large enough to supply that. Larger containers
are better in use, of course -- but the flip side is, they're more awkward
to carry and more difficult to conceal.
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Which of these factors, size or ease of carry, is most important? That's
an individual choice, deeply dependent upon your own priorities and circumstances.
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,3
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 aftereffects 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. Its 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 the authorities
to render aid if it's needed.
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
Because I am severely asthmatic, I'm unwilling to risk the effects of
OC cross-contamination, and thus do not carry it myself. But I believe
it can be a good defensive tool, when properly and responsibly used by
someone who understands its effects and its limitations.
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.
And if you have to fight ...
... Fight like a cornered cat.