Facts About Pepper Spray and Mace
What is Pepper Spray?
Pepper Spray is an aerosol spray used for self-defense and personal protection. Pepper Spray is a self defense spray that consists of a concentrated agent injected into a pressurized canister and dispersed, or sprayed, by aerosol. The concentrated or active agent is Oleoresin Capsicum. Oleoresin Capsicum is a derivative of various hot pepper plants and is the chemical that gives peppers their hot quality. For this reason defense sprays are often called pepper sprays. Also, Oleoresin Capsicum is known as “OC” for short. That is why pepper spray is commonly referred to as OC pepper spray.
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What is Mace?
Over the last
several years
the popularity
of self defense
sprays,
mistakenly
called Mace, has
grown
considerably.
Just as many
people
mistakenly refer
to soft drinks
or cold drinks
as “Coke” or
refer to a
photocopy as a
“Xerox,” many
people refer to
defense sprays
as “Mace.” Mace is a brand
marketed by Mace
Security
International (MSI).
MSI originally
marketed a
particular tear
gas self defense
spray. Today,
Mace brand
defense sprays
either contain
OC pepper, tear
gas or both. Guardian Self
Defense carries
a huge selection
of Mace
defensive
sprays.
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What is Tear Gas?
There are three
major chemicals
used as tear
gases:
1. CS
2. CN
3. CR
The first two
are CS and CN,
short for
orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile
and
chloroacetophenone,
respectively.
A third, code
named CR (dibenz(b,f)-1,4-oxazepin),
has not come
into civilian
use.
Both CS and CN
tear gas are
synthesized
chemicals known
as lachrymators.
A lachrymator is
a substance that
produces profuse
tearing.
At standard
temperature and
pressure, these
chemicals are
actually white
crystals with
fairly low vapor
pressures, not
gasses, and they
are not very
soluble in
water. In order
to disperse
them, they are
suspended in a
liquid carrier
and aerosolized.
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Pepper Spray v. Tear Gas
Pepper spray is
not tear gas.
Tear gas is not
pepper spray.
Pepper spray is
a self defense
spray. Tear gas
can be used as a
self defense
spray.
Two important
differences
between pepper
spray and tear
gas are:
1. Tear gas is
an irritant to
membrane
tissues. They
cause stinging
pain and tearing
and take from 5
to 30 seconds to
be effective. In
cases of persons
who are drunk,
on drugs,
suffering a
psychotic
episode, or
otherwise cannot
feet pain, there
may be no affect
at all as tear
gas relies on
pain compliance
to be
effective. Tear
gas has a high
toxicity level.
2. Pepper spray is not an
irritant. If is
an inflammatory
agent; and this
makes all the
difference in
the world. When
a person is
sprayed with OC
two things
happen
instantly.
First, the
person's eyes
clamp shut,
hard. Not only
that, but if
they do manage
to open them
they still can't
see because the
pepper spray
dilates the
capillaries of
the eye and
causes temporary
blindness.
Second, an
immediate fit of
uncontrollable
coughing doubles
the person over
and often sends
them to their
knees. The
pepper spray
causes instant
inflammation of
breathing
tissues,
restricting all
but life support
breathing. The
condition is
temporary but
very
debilitating.
Pepper Spray has
the affect of
putting up a
brick wall
between the
assailant and
the victim. OC
pepper spray has
been proven to
be effective
against
individuals who
are drunk, on
drugs, or
suffering a
psychotic
episode. Pepper
sprays also work
well on animals.
OC pepper spray
is 100%
non-toxic, safe
and will cause
no permanent
damage.
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Are All Pepper
Sprays the Same?
No, all pepper sprays are not the same.
OC usually comes in concentrations of 1%, 5% and 10%. But, due to the number of differences in the formulation , these percentages are not necessarily a good indication of the effectiveness of the pepper spray. A 1% spray can be just as effective if not more so, than a 5% or 10% concentration. Three formula factors: the heat rating of the OC, the type of carrier agent, and the spray density, combine to determine how effective any given spray is.
The heat generating capacity of OC is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU's). OC is derived from hot peppers. Peppers range from 0 SHU's for standard bell peppers to 5,000 for Jalapeno peppers up to 250,000 to 350,000 SHU's for Habanera peppers. Pure OC has a heat rating of 15 million. As you can see a 10% concentration of Jalapeno peppers is not going to be nearly as effective as a 1% concentration of Habanera peppers. In actual spray formulations OC from the peppers is processed until it reaches a heat rating as high as 2,000,000 SHU's.
All of Guardian Self Defense's pepper sprays are rated a 2 - 3 million Scoville Heat Units!
The next factor is the carrier agent of the OC pepper spray. The job of the carrier agent is to hold the OC solution and aid in dispersal once it is released from the pressurized canister. Common carrier agents are alcohol, ketone, and other solvents and oils. The best, and safest carrier agent available is HFC 134A. It not only holds the OC in solution but also helps break down the OC into the smallest possible micron-sized droplets once released.
Guardian Self Defense carries Pepper Shot and Mace brand OC pepper sprays which use HFC 134A as a carrier agent!
The third factor determining OC spray effectiveness is the spray pattern and dispersal density. These two closely related spray characteristics also determine the droplet size sprayed at the assailant. The smaller the air born droplet size the more effective the spray will be under most conditions because of its ability to be inhaled quickly and completely and to disperse quickly onto membrane tissues. This release the heat and inflammation capabilities as efficiently as possible in the shortest time possible; usually one second.
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The Physical
Effects of Pepper Spray
Pepper Spray has four physiological effects that may be experienced:
1. Eyes - tearing, involuntary closing or complete closing due to dilation of the eye capillaries. Eyes will appear red/bloodshot for 30 to 60 minutes. People wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses will be equally affected.
2. Respiratory System - immediate inflammation, including swelling of the throat lining which can restrict the airway size. Respiratory functions return to normal within 10 to 45 minutes. The airway will be open enough to allow for sufficient oxygen flow for survival. Due to the reduced airway flow, the person will probably not receive enough oxygen to continue fighting or other sustained physical exertion. Temporary paralysis of the larynx. Uncontrollable coughing, retching, and gasping for air with a gagging sensation in the throat.
3. Effect on the skin: inflammation of the exposed skin with a burning sensation.
4. Effects on muscle coordination: pepper spray exposure may cause a person to lose balance due to the effect of pepper spray on vision.
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How Can I Be
Assured My Pepper Spray Will Work When I
Need it?
Practice, Practice, Practice. Learn how to use your pepper spray, where the safety device is and how to disable it quickly. You should get in the habit of testing your defense spray every 90 days. To do this first go outside and determine which direction the wind is blowing. Remember to always stand upwind from the direction you are spraying. Depress the firing mechanism for ? second. This test should be performed upon purchase and every 90 days after that. Be aware that every time you test your spray you reduce the contents of the canister. If you are using a key chain model and you test regularly you will need to replace the unit every 9 to 12 months if you follow the recommended testing procedure above.
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How Long Will My
Pepper Spray Last?
Most pepper sprays have an expiration date stamped on the canister, usually 2 to 4 years from the time of manufacture.
Although the spray life is indefinite it does start to lose potency over time. Any use of the spray beyond the expiration date is highly unadvisable. We strongly advise you to replace your pepper spray long before the expiration date! That way you are always assured of the potency of the spray.
Take your old one to a safe place and target practice with it. Become familiar with how far it will spray, how to unlock it, etc. When practicing with your defensive spray, be aware of air movements and wind patterns and be very careful not to contaminate yourself.
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What spray pattern
is most effective?
OC sprays
generally come
in three spray
patterns: a thin
stream, a
cone-shaped
mist, and a fog.
In terms of
technical
effectiveness
the fogger spray
is the most
effective, the
cone mist
second, and the
stream spray
third. However,
the mean streets
are not the
laboratory.
A
stream spray
is not as
effective as the
fogger or mist
because the
stream tends to
trap the OC in
the carrier; it
does not release
it as
effectively as a
mist or fog.
However, there
are advantages
to the stream. A
stream spray has
a greater range
up to 20 feet.
And, at the end
of the stream
the OC does
break up into
small droplets.
A good stream
shot directly in
the face is
likely to stop
all but the most
determined
attackers. Also,
a stream is not
as effected by
breezes and wind
as a cone mist
or fog. Even in
a pretty stiff
breeze a good
stream spray
still has good
range and is
unlikely to come
back at you if
you shoot into
the wind.
Cone mists
have a wider
spray pattern
and finer
density than the
stream sprays.
They are
considered by
many to be more
effective when
they hit the
assailant and be
more likely to
have "instant'
stopping power
than the stream
spray. A good
cone mist OC
spray will stop
a determined
attacker in two
steps. They are
also good for
creating spray
"barriers"
during retreat
and for multiple
attackers. There
are however, two
drawbacks to
cone mist
sprays. First,
their range can
be less than a
stream spray. A
typical range is
8-10 feet.
Second, cone
mists can be
uncontrollable
in a wind. A
mild breeze has
a definite
affect on both
the range and
direction of the
spray. Spraying
directly into a
good breeze may
affect the
sprayer. It is
essential for
those using cone
mists to realize
they must spray
and move away
quickly.
Fogger sprays put out a
super fine mist
similar to fire
extinguishers
and are
generally
considered to be
the most
effective in
terms of
stopping power.
An attacker
caught in an OC
fog is virtually
helpless
instantly. The
slightest intake
of breathe takes
the mist
directly to the
sensitive lung
tissue and makes
all but life
support
breathing
difficult. Due
to their nozzle
and high
canister
pressure most
foggers have a
range of 15-20
feet. They are
only slightly
affected by
breezes
outdoors and
work well even
against the
wind. Foggers
are excellent
for creating a
barrier while
escaping an
attack because
the fog tends to
hang in the air.
For this reason
they are the
most affective
spray type for
multiple
attackers.
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The History of Pepper Spray
Oleoresin
capsicum spray
was developed at
the University
of Georgia by
Professor James
H. Jenkins and
Dr. Frank Hayes,
D.V.M., in 1960.
That formula
under the brand
name Halt Animal
Repellent was
first sold in
1963. Like tear
gas, oleoresin
capsicum (OC) is
non-lethal and
induces
temporary
incapacitation
with no known
long-term
effects. In 1989
the Firearms
Training Unit
(FTU) of the FBI
Academy in
Quantico,
Virginia,
completed three
years of
intensive
research on OC,
following which
the FBI
authorized the
use of OC for
its special
agents and SWAT
teams. In
addition, OC has
proven effective
against domestic
and wild animals
without
endangering the
animals or the
environment. OC,
in proper
dispensing
systems, has
been
successfully
used to stop
grizzly bear
attacks in
Alaska and pit
bull dog attacks
in California
and Texas. The
US Postal
Service also
issues OC to its
letter carriers
and animal
control
facilities also
issue animal
repellent to its
officers to
protect them
from dog bites.
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The History of Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Scoville Heat Units (SHU's) is the measurement of the "hotness" of pepper.
All types of chili peppers, including green peppers, jalapeno's, and habanera's, all contain an unusually powerful compound found in no other plant, an alkaloid called capsaicin.
Capsaicin is the horticultural term for the genus that chili peppers are classified. A single drop of tasteless and odorless capsaicin in 100,000 drops of water is very noticeable. In fact, capsaicin can be detected by humans at one part per million.
In 1912, pharmacologist Wilbur Scoville developed a standard for measuring the power of capsaicin: the Scoville Organaleptic Test.
Scoville measured exact weights of chili peppers and dissolved the capsaicin in alcohol. This solution was then diluted with sugar water until it was no longer detectable to the human palate. A panel of five taste testers would taste the solution and three of them had to agree before a value was assigned. If, for example, it took 1,000 parts of water to one part of capsaicin, it was said to have 1,000 Scoville Heat Units.
This method was useful for calculating the temperature of peppers used in many pharmaceutical products such has heat rubs. Today, high-performance liquid chromatography is used to measure the capsaicin content in peppers. It measures capsaicin levels in parts per million which is then converted to Scoville Heat Units (SHU's). The pepper scale ranges from zero Scoville Heat Units for a bell pepper to 5,000 or so SHU's for a jalapeno, to a whopping 200,000 to 300,000 SHU's for a habanera. Pure capsaicin is 15,000,000 SHU's.
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