Archive for the ‘pepper spray’ Category
Sunday, April 11th, 2010
It seems every time we turn around we hear of another assault or home invasion or murder. I’d like to tell you that these things are only isolated incidents but that would not be truthful. I’d also like to tell you that statistics show that violent crime is decreasing nationwide, but the opposite is true. We live in a society that has become quite dangerous, so how is one supposed to protect themselves?
Most of us have little chance of winning a physical fight with an attacker. If you’re not trained to handle that type of situation, odds are you’ll lose and probably be hurt in a physical altercation. Think about it, the majority of attacks are committed by young males and the victims tend to be female and/or elderly.
Your best defense against a would be attacker is pepper spray for self defense. Does pepper spray have drawbacks or cons? Of course it does, but the positives far outweigh the drawbacks.
Lets examine the benefits of carrying a good pepper spray.
- Effects are almost instant and last for about 30 minutes
- The sizes are small and convenient to carry in most situations
- The cost of pepper spray is inexpensive
- The useful life is between 2 and 4 years depending on product. An expiration date lets you know when it’s time to replace
- Pepper spray is has an effective range of 8 to 20+ feet depending on size and model
- It is legal for self defense use in all states, though their are certain restrictions users in NY, MA, MI, and WI should be aware of.
- Practice/training is easy and cost effective. Inert pepper spray cannisters are readily available for training purposes and the cost is about half of what the real stuff costs.
- Pepper spray has been proven effective against persons under the influence of drugs and alcohol, this is not the case with tear gas.
- Manufacturers have become very creative, as a result you can carry pepper spray in disguise. Lipstick, pens, rings, and walking weights just to name a few.
Some of the drawbacks of using pepper spray include:
- It does no good at the bottom of your purse, in your glove compartment or anywhere other than on your person and readily accessible.
- Pepper spray can “blowback” if spraying into a wind. Many companies now offer a ballistic stream, if you live in a windy climate we recommend the stream as this will almost eliminate “blowback”.
- Accuracy – if you don’t practice, then how can you expect to be accurate. You need to be familiar with the safety features, how it sprays, how far it sprays, the pattern, etc. Practice makes perfect.
When it comes to pepper spray products, go out and get a premium product with a track record. Choose proven products like Fox Labs, Defense Technology, SABRE, Pepper Shot or Wildfire to name a few.
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
The ability to defend yourself and your loved ones is paramount should trouble arise. Many individuals choose non-lethal self defense products. The reason…they are non-lethal, meaning they cause no permanent damage or long term injuries, but they get the job done quickly and efficiently. The most popular self defense products are pepper spray, Mace, stun guns and taser devices.
We live close to LSU and today I was driving by “the lakes”. Its a beautiful place just off campus with sidewalks and bike trails. It is a very popular exercise spot, especially when school is in. As I’m driving I watching as I pass all these people, young and old. Some are jogging, others are walking and still others are biking. I noticed that many were carrying keychain pepper spray and I spotted a few personal alarms. I also noted that many appeared to be carrying nothing at all and many were exercising alone.
What if you forgot your pepper spray today and find yourself jogging alone when trouble strikes? Would you be an easy victim or target for criminals. I often advocate learning to defend yourself against an attacker should the need arise. Many police and law enforcement officials offer some excellent classes. Some are even free of charge! If this sounds interesting to you then please contact your local police or sheriff’s department to see what they have to offer.
In many cases I’m told that those classes are intimidating. Others have time conflicts that prevent them from being able to attend. Whatever the reason, it’s no reason not to learn self defense. We offer 19 self defense fighting dvd’s that cover the gambit of fighting techniques. You will find anything from hand to hand combat, to karate, to mixed martial arts. All of these DVD’s are taught by some of the best fighters in the world. You keep to learn from them one on one in your home and on your time schedule. This is an option that works really well for many of today’s busy families. You will be impressed the skills you can attain in a relatively short period of time. If you are committed to watching the DVD’s and then practicing what you’ve learned; you will pick up high level self defense techniques that could literally save your life. So in addition to that pepper spray or stun baton, consider taking a class or buying a specialized DVD that will help you learn to defend yourself and increase your overall self confidence level and your peace of mind.
Posted in home protection, pepper spray, personal alarms, self defense | No Comments »
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
Self defense products continue to grow in popularity. They are relatively inexpensive, very effective, and don’t require much practice to master. I heard many say you just can’t go wrong with non-lethal self defense products. The fact is you can and probably will if you don’t do your homework.
So your considering purchasing a self defense product for yourself, a family member or friend. Great, so what is the best product? What do you recommend? These two questions definitely make my FAQ! Most individuals, including myself realize the responsiblity and potential consequences of using a handgun for self defense. On the other side of the spectrum you have martial arts or self defense training. These courses are great and can teach you techniques that could save your life. The only downside is in order to become proficient you need to put in the time. This is a very real obstacle in todays society, not enough time.
More and more individuals are choosing to go the non-lethal self defense route. So what are the different available products and which are most effective? The truth is there are just too many products to list here, the major players are pepper spray, stun guns, and taser devices.
Pepper spray is the number one selling non-lethal self defense product. Pepper spray and Mace are highly effective personal protection products. They work almost immediately against both humans and dogs. The cost of a good OC chemical spray is very affordable, the self life is typically three to four years, and the effective range averages 10 to 12 feet. If you haven’t had the privilege of being sprayed, then you just don’t know what your missing! All law enforcement agencies count on pepper spray as a first line of defense. That in itself tells me everything I need to hear. Like anything you always want to use what the professionals use.
All of our pepper spray products are made in the U.S. Be very cautious of any pepper spray manufactured overseas. All defense sprays are not the same. Many companies put a lot of cheap junk in their sprays and cut corners with the propellants. Every spray that Guardian Self Defense carries is extensively tested and meets rigorous quality control standards.
Pepper spray does have some cons, as no self defense product is perfect. There are different spray patterns with the most popular ones being a stream and fogger. With a stream pattern a user can expect the spray to come out in a straight line. Typically, the range is a little greater with a stream, but users need to practice as accuracy is critical. For spray to be effective you need to aim for the eyes, nose or mouth.
A fogger pattern comes out cone shaped and accuracy is not a concern. Foggers are great for crowd control or dealing with multiple attackers. Users do need to be concerned with potential blow back when spraying into a stiff wind.
The popularity of stun devices has increased as the technology has improved. Stun guns are much more effective and reliable today then just a few years ago. High voltage, low amperage make the stun gun a very effective short term non-lethal self defense product. If you’ve been shocked then you know why they work, if you haven’t it is hard to describe the feeling. If you’ve ever bumped your “funny bone” multiply that by like a million and transfer the feeling throughout your whole body. A two to three second shock will leave the average man on his back, disoriented, and weak. The effects only last about 5 to 10 minutes, which is plenty of time to get to safety. Stun guns are excellent for protection against aggressive animals especially dogs.
The biggest con related to stun guns is you have to actually touch a person to get the desired effect. That means you have to get very close to an attacker which can be dangerous. This is where TASER technology takes over. The Taser once reserved for law enforcement professionals, is now available for civilian use. For example the C2 Taser is small, compact, powerful, and has an effective range of 15 feet.
When you fire a Taser two sharp metal probes are fired outward toward the attacker. The probes are electrified and have immediate stopping power. Independent testing has compared to stopping power to that of a 9mm handgun, without the potential lethal effects. With the Taser if you happen to fire and miss; you can either pop on another cartridge (takes about 2 seconds) or if you don’t have time the Taser becomes a very high powered stun gun. The drawback of the Taser is price which averages over $300 for the C2 civilian unit.
Of course there are many, many other products that work very well, but these three account for over 90% of non-lethal defense purchases. If you are serious about protectinig yourself and family, do your homework, choose the product that best suites your needs, then practice, practice, practice.
Posted in TASER, pepper spray, self defense, stun guns | No Comments »
Saturday, August 8th, 2009
Most colleges will begin the Fall semester in mid August and many naive and unassuming students will fall victim to crimes such as burglary, sexual assault and date rape. The result will likely change the victims life forever. Fortunately there are things you can do and actions you can take to help prevent becoming the next statistic.
At Guardian Self Defense, our business is personal security and it all starts with being aware of your surroundings. Think about the vast and diverse settings you may be exposed on campus. Students go from the dorm or apartment to classes, they go to eateries, the library, to the bookstore, maybe to walk or exercise, and out to party and socialize. Things happen very quickly, especially for freshmen, who are adapting from high school to college. There are lots of opportunities for students to make mistakes and potentially find themselves in a very difficult spot without the ability to get help.
Here are some tips and best practices that can really save the day!
- Always pay attention and be aware of your surroundings. PREACH this to your friends, family, and anyone you can. You could prevent a crime and save a life.
- As you walk to and from classes; maybe you like to walk or jog for exercise. Whatever the case may be, try to find a friend(s) to accompany you.
- If you have trouble finding a “buddy”, then you need to consider investing in some sort of non-lethal self defense product that will allow you to protect yourself if necessary.
- Learn to manage your body language. Walking confidently, take the most direct path and keep at a steady pace. Appearing to be strong and confident is a huge detterent; rapists target those who seem to be vulnerable.
Parties, going out with friends, and just having a good time are part of the college experience and overall produces very positive experiences for most. Some however will inevitably be the victim of crime that takes advantage of their physical and mental state. Usually this is the result of consuming drugs and/or alcohol. It is a known fact that drugs and alcohol inhibit our ability to make decisions; there are criminals that prey on this.
Safety At Parties, Bars or Clubs
- Always choose to get your own drink. Do not allow anyone to get a drink for you. In fact, if you did not watch it being poured, don’t drink it.
- Once you have a drink don’t leave it unattended. If you do, pour it out and get another.
- Don’t share or taste another persons drink.
- If you think a drink tastes funny or different, dispose of it immediately.
Most of today’s date rape drugs are odorless, colorless and tasteless. So chances are you many not even realize anything has been added to a drink until it is too late. That’s why setting up a system with close friends, prior to going out is essential. How you do it is up to you, but make sure it accomplishes the goal of making sure that at least one person in your group is always sober, alert and watching out for the safety of your group. It is important that there is a mutual trust between you and others in your group. Doing this could save a someone from being, sexually assaulted, raped or even killed. Other common sense approaches include:
Use caution if someone tries to stop you for directions or money. Reply from a distance with a firm NO. Then continue on your way. Many crimes are committed using this approach. When the victim opens their wallet or gets close enough; they are attacked and robbed.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are in trouble or feel you are in danger, don’t be afraid to attract help anyway you can. Scream, yell, run. Consider carrying a personal security alarm or pepper spray.
Posted in Uncategorized, pepper spray, safety tips, self defense | No Comments »
Sunday, July 19th, 2009
I’m sure you’ve heard of carjacking; some of you may know victims or have been one yourself. Carjacking is has become one of the fastest growing and most prevalent crimes in the world. Carjacking is robbery of a car or vehicle. It happens very quickly and the sole purpose of the crime is to steal your vehicle. Though it could happen to any of us at any time there are methods that you can learn and things to familiarize yourself with that can drastically reduce your chances.
As with most crime prevention tips, the first and most important is awareness. Be alert and aware of your environment at all times. Realize some of the most likely places that carjackings take place.
- Does any of your daily routes take you through high crime areas
- Do you find yourself on rural or less traveled roads, especially at night
- Intersections where you must stop for relights or stop signs can be high risk
- Isolated areas such as parking lots can attract carjackers.
- Traffic jams or congested areas where you are stopped or moving very slow can be a potential hot spot
- Residential driveways, either on your way out or in, you can become a target.
So first and foremost identify and then react to these types of situations if at all possible. If find yourself in any of the above situations on a daily basis your best defense is avoidance. Alter your travel in order to avoid as many potential situations as possible. If after reviewing your options you feel you can not avoid these areas then you need to consider taking some steps to prevent an attack.
Give yourself some “wiggle room”. In traffic, don’t allow yourself to end up “bumper to bumper” with all the other vehicles. Give yourself some distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. On full car’s length is optimal and will give you room to maneuver if needed.
When you are stopped in your vehicle for any reason use your rear view mirror as well as both side mirrors. Get into the habit of doing this routinely. This will make it difficult for anyone to sneak up on you. You should also keep windows and doors locked at all times. Consider carrying some form of self defense product that you can conveniently carry in your vehicle for use against an attacker.
Accidents are one of the scenarios that carjacker use to rob unsuspecting victims of their cars. One of the common tricks used by criminals is to “bump” the vehicles victim from behind. When the victim gets out to exchange information or call police the carjacker strikes. Within seconds they are in the vehicle and gone.
Another common approach is to stage an accident with injury. When you the Good Samaritan stops to help they steal your vehicle. Carjackers also commonly pull aside another driver and wave, flash lights, or do something to get the other drivers attention. They will then try to convince of a problem with the vehicle. Once they pull over the carjacker strikes and steals the vehicle.
If you are “bumped” by another vehicle or if someone tries to flag you down and alert to a vehicle problem, don’t stop until you get to a safe place, ideally a police or fire station. You can also call for help from your vehicle and have law enforcement come to you. If it was an legitimate accident or something is wrong with your vehicle the other party and police certainly understand.
Unfortunately, today you have to be very careful when deciding to help anyone who appears to need it. In most cases, they do, but in a few the carjacker is waiting for you to bite. Think before stopping to assist in an accident. You may be better off calling 911 to report the incident.
What can you do and expect during a carjacking? It is important to recognize that in most carjacking’s the criminal(s) have no intention of hurting you. They just want your car. You basically have two options:
- Take a resistive and confrontational approach to an attempted carjacking
or
- Choose to be non-confrontational and compliant during an attempted attack
Things such as the type of attack, the environment (isolated or public), the mental state of the attacker (reasonable or nervous), how many attackers are present and are weapons present are some factors to consider. Most importantly are children present. Again, our recommendation is to be compliant, don’t put up any resistance. You can replace that vehicle and your chances of survival are much greater.
In the non confrontational situation, you would:
- Give up the vehicle freely.
- Listen carefully to all directions.
- Make no quick or sudden movements that the attacker could construe as a counter attack.
- Always keeps your hands in plain view. Tell the attacker of every move in advance.
- Make the attacker aware if children are present. The attacker may be focused only on the driver and not know children are in the car.
In a resistive or confrontational response, you would make a decision to escape or attack the carjacker. A confrontation can be deadly and only those persons who have self defense training or posses some form of personal protection should even consider this option. Don’t try to be a hero, take the “live to fight another day” approach. Should you decide to confront an attacker(s) consider the following:
- The mental state of the attacker.
- Possible avenues of escape.
- The number of attackers; there is usually more than one.
- The use of weapons. (Weapons are used in the majority of carjacking situations.)
- In most instances, it is probably safest to give up your vehicle.
After an attack get to a safe place as fast as you can. Once you feel your in a safe and secure place then you can report the incident. When reporting the crime try to did law enforcement officials the key information needed. What time of day was it when the attack occurred? How did it take place? Who was involved? Give the best possible description of the attacker(s) that you possibly can. Hair color, height, weight, scars or other identifiers, eye color, complexion, ethnicity, and build will all help in the capture.
What was the attacker(s) originally driving? The vehicle license plate number (even partial), the color, make, model and year are extremely important. If you noticed any identifying marks (scratches, damage, dents) or things such as stickers be sure to report.
It is important to remember that in most cases an attack can be prevented by avoidance. Use your personal judgment to evaluate the situation and your possible reactions. Always carry a cell phone for immediate communication. Non confrontation is the recommended course of action and in most cases is the best response. Your main objective is the survive, the vehicle can be replaced, you cannot!
Posted in Uncategorized, child safety, pepper spray, safety tips, self defense | No Comments »
Saturday, July 11th, 2009
If you were faced with a personal safety emergency could you or would you be able to product yourself and loved ones? If so would you use physical self defense techniques such as street fighting or martial arts? Every 36 seconds someone is assaulted in the United States. A burglary is occurring every 14 seconds, while a theft takes place every 5 seconds.
To put it in perspective, buy the time I finished typing the sentence above at least one person or family was assaulted, two homes were robbed and at least 4 thefts took place! We live in the greatest country in America, but the truth is that crime and criminals are all around us. It is up to us to protect, educate and raise awareness in and around our communities.
So if you were getting out of your car in the mall parking lot and heading in to shop, then all of a sudden…could you or would you be ready and able to project yourself and loved ones. For the majority of us the truth to the answer is no. This doesn’t mean we are all a bunch of candy asses, it means that crimes such as assault, home invasion, robbery, theft, etc happen very quickly and most don’t have time to react.
How do can you change the end result? How can you increase the odds in your favor that you won’t become the next victim. The first thing you need to to is increase your awareness. It’s easy to do, doesn’t take any special skills and in most cases will deter a would be attacker. The next time you are out shopping, do some people watching. You will see the majority are not focused on whats going on around them. Most instead are talking on cell phones, listening to ipod’s, reading the newspaper or a book, anything but paying attention to what is going on right then and there.
That is awareness, and just by doing some people watching you can hone those awareness skills. When you are doing this you are very likely to make eye contact, this in itself is a great crime deterrent. In addition, you will stand out to most criminals as a tougher target. So remember awareness is the key! Practice it and live it everyday. Next, in most cases you don’t want to or can’t go toe to toe with these criminals. You have some very effective options, first you may choose to carry a handgun. If you think a handgun is right for you; it is a good idea to apply for a “concealed weapons permit”. You will be required to take and complete classes to ensure you understand the how to use your weapon and the responsibility, as well as potential consequences of gun ownership. I own a handgun and feel very comfortable using one, but would only do so if an attacker entered my home or business and threatened harm. In my opininon the potential consequences in other situations are just too dangerous for me.
You can choose a non-lethal self defense product such as pepper spray, Mace, stun guns, TASER devices, batons and many others. The immediate benefit is they will not kill but will disable or debilitate long enough to get to safety. Like anything else, the best product for you may not be for someone else. The most important thing is you determine what will work best for you. Next, learn how to use your self defense product, then practice and practice some more.
At Guardian Self Defense we welcome your questions and are happy to help you determine what is likely to work best for you. The easiest and quickest way to reach us is via our secure contact form or you can call us at (800) 928-8343
Posted in TASER, home protection, pepper spray, personal alarms, self defense, stun guns | No Comments »
Friday, July 10th, 2009
As you can imagine I’m approached numerous times daily from people young and old with the same question. What self defense product do you recommend? Well there are a bunch of great choices out there and as technology continues to advance, so will non-lethal self defense products.
Some experts will tell you that the TASER C2 is the most technologically advanced defense product on the market; and they are correct. Stun batons and mini stun guns (small fry) are becoming more and more popular as a result of enhanced quality and reliability. In addition, the prices have come down and they are now available in rechargeable units.
The best overall non-lethal self defense product available is a good pepper spray. Pepper spray should be used as your first line of defense against human attackers and aggressive dogs. First, pepper spray is very affordable. You can expect to pay between $8 and $50 depending on the size, brand and resin concentration. Second, pepper spray has a self life of 36 to 48 months, so if you will only need to replace your pepper spray, on average, every 3 years. Third, the effects of a good OC pepper spray are nearly immediate. Within a second the effects take hold and can be quite debilitating. Once sprayed, temporary blindness occurs, the respiratory tract becomes inflamed and breathing becomes extremely difficult. In addition extreme pain and burning take place. The effects last 20-40 minutes in most cases.
You have the ability to stop an attacker or animal from a distance using pepper spray. A range of 8 to 30 feet are common depending on the model. For example, our Wildfire 4 ounce pepper spray has a range of up to 18 feet. Pepper spray is legal in every state (restrictions apply in a few states), but overall it legal and there is little chance of having to deal with any legal consequences.
So if you’re looking for a great overall non-lethal self defense, choose a good oc pepper spray and you can’t go wrong.
Posted in Uncategorized, pepper spray | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Most days we get at least a few customers who call or email to inquire about our Mace Triple Action pepper spray line. Some of the most popular questions are:
What is the difference between pepper spray and tear gas?
Is Mace Triple Action better than the other self defense sprays you sell
Specifically, what is the difference between the Triple action line and plain OC pepper spray
Let me start by stating that Guardian Self Defense only carries premium defense spray. Every brand we carry is rigorously tested to ensure a premium, effective product. In addition, all of our pepper spray are made right here in the United States. Bet, that one surprised most people! It’s true all pepper spray products are made and tested right here in the USA.
Pepper spray is effective as an inflammatory agent. This means when you spray someone with a quality Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, inflammation of the membranes is almost instant. The eyes become swollen shut, the inflammation causes temporary blindness because it swells the capillaries in the eyes. The respiratory track becomes inflamed once the OC is inhaled, or breathed in.
The lungs and respiratory tissue become swollen and normal oxygen levels are decreased significantly. As a result, a person sprayed will need to concentrate on “life support breathing” and this usually breaks even the most aggressive person’s will. After all if you can’t see and you can’t breathe; you really can’t do much. The OC also causes severe mucus discharge out of the mouth, and nose. Finally, OC is painful, it carries with it an intense burning and stinging (especially in the eyes).
Tear gas on the other hand is a pain agent. Tear gas works by physically causing a great deal of pain, profuse tearing and disorientation. The potential problem with tear gas is that it is ineffective on those who don’t or cannot feel pain. Certain drug addicts and those under the influence, most likely have a much higher pain tolerance. For years now, pepper spray has been the self defense spray of choice for law enforcement professionals as well as civilians.
Mace is a brand name that has been around for decades. Every self defense product by Mace is top of the line. With that said, Triple Action features pepper spray, tear gas and a UV marking dye. So yes, Mace is excellent because it combines tear gas, with a great OC spray and the UV marking dye. Our WildFire and Fox Labs pepper spray lines sport higher scoville heat ratings; at concentrations from 18% down to 2%.
With the triple action product you carry a complete self defense spray. The combination of the two has been proven very effective in deterring human crime as well as canine’s. So unlike, most self defense spray lines Mace combines CS tear gas, with OC pepper spray and a Ultraviolet marking light. I encourage you to review the line at:
http://www.guardian-self-defense.com/tripleaction.htm
Bryan
Posted in pepper spray, self defense | No Comments »
Saturday, January 24th, 2009
OK, you are looking for non-lethal self defense products for yourself, family or friends. A quick web search and you will soon realize that the selection of self defense products are endless. So how do you choose a product(s), how do you know that you’ll get what you paid for? There are so many companies out there marketing pepper spray, stun guns, tasers, personal alarms, etc. It is quite overwhelming…what factors should I consider before I choose a company to put my trust in? Consumers face these questions each and everyday and lets face it ninety percent of the companies out there are “here today and gone tomorrow”. Statistics show that most small businesses will fail within the first year!
The first thing you should be aware of when shopping for on-line self defense products, or making any online purchase from a website for that matter is contact information. Does the company or website list a phone number that you can call for customer service? If they don’t and only provide an email address that should be a “red” flag. Next, are they an established company, are they incorporated and members of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). BBB members are held to very high ethical standards, so look for the Better Business Bureau seal. How long has the company been in existence? If it is less than a year this should also set off a “red” flag. Chances are if you need to return a product or have problems in six months they will have gone out of business.
Website security is huge today. Is the page where you are asked to input your credit card information secure? Look up at the URL and make sure it begins with HTTPS; if not I suggest you exist the site immediately. Their are companies out there spending thousands of dollars each month to ensure your financial information is safe, secure and encrypted. Look for “Secure Site” seals, for example Control Scan is a company that specializes in website security as well as business background checks. Security Metrics is another service that ensures the security of your financial information.
The look and feel of a website can tell you a great deal about the company you are dealing with. Is the site a “cookie cutter” with the exact same design as hundreds or even thousands of other sites. This should be a “red flag”. The site should be customized and unique in its design with easy navigation and a professional presence.
You will also want to review the “return policy”. This one can really burn the consumer. Make sure that if you order a product and it’s not what you wanted, it’s defective or it breaks in a year that you will be able to return for an exchange or refund. Some companies have a “All sales are final” return policy, which means “buyer beware.”
What type of shipping is offered and is the cost reasonable? Some companies will reduce the price of their products and claim to have the lowest prices. They will then turn around and “gauge you” with the cost of shipping. Another question to ask, what happens if you don’t receive your shipment? The tracking says the product was delivered, but you have not received anything. Are you out of luck? Make sure that your shipment is insured. This means if you don’t receive the shipment for whatever reason your still covered.
There are certainly other factors to consider but we consider these to be critical. Hope you find this information to be helpful when you are shopping around for self defense products or anything on the web.
Posted in pepper spray | No Comments »
Sunday, October 26th, 2008
Statistics confirm that 1 in 4 Americans will be a victim of violent crime. Think about it, everyday we turn on the television what do we see and hear about. Someone was raped, someone was shot, someone was killed. The fact is crime is all around us. It doesn’t matter if you live in a rural area or the inner city. Now add on the fact that tens of thousands of people are losing their jobs and the economy is in a serious recession. The end result will be an increase in crime.
As hard working Americans we owe it to ourselves, family and friends to make sure we take a proactive approach to crime in our communities. In my opinion the best thing we can do is to invest in non-lethal self defense products. This includes products such as pepper spray, stun guns, tasers, and personal alarms. These products are typically hard to find and not readily available in stores.
Each of these products have been proven effective against “would be” criminals. Pepper spray is a very good option, it is inexpensive and works very quickly when used correctly. The active ingredient in pepper spray is Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), which has replaced tear gas in law enforcement arenas. Tear gas was proven ineffective against persons who can not feel pain. Many individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol do not feel pain, thus tear gas will not work. OC on the other hand is an inflammatory agent that debilitates very quickly.
OC works on the membranes, eyes, nose, mouth. First, it causes temporary blindness by constricting the capillaries in the eyes. The eyes clamp shut, even if they try and pry them open they still can’t see. Second, OC produces coughing and discharge from the nose and mouth. Finally, the lungs and respiratory system are targeted making it very difficult to breath. The affected person(s) will be temporarily restricted to life support breathing. These effects last about 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to get to safety.
Pepper spray or mace is available in several spray patterns. Which is best? If you live in a “windy” climate you’ll want to stay away from the cones, or foggers. If spray directly into the wind, self contamination is very possible. If wind is a factor purchase a stream pattern.
Stream patterns will give you more range, anywhere from 6 to 30 feet depending on the model you choose. The stream is propelled in a straight line, it comes out hard and fast. The downside to streams is you are forced to be accurate. In other words you need to aim for the eyes, nose, or mouth. Practice with a stream spray is very important.
The fog or cone spray is great for crowd control or use against multiple attackers, in ideal situations the fogger is the way to go. But again if you live in a windy climate you need to be aware of possible “blow back”. Accuracy is not a concern with a fogger.
You will also want to look into the the self life of pepper spray. Depending on the product you can expect to get 2 to 4 years of self life. This means you will need to replace your spray every 2 to 4 years. The manufacturer should post the expiration date or date the product was manufactured. If they don’t DO NOT purchase. The contents may be ten years old and totally ineffective.
A good spray will also contain a “marking dye” which is a dye that will help law enforcement identify a criminal. The dye cannot be washed off, it will remain on the assailant for approximately 10 days!
I encourage you to get yourself and your loved ones a good OC pepper spray today. Learn to use it correctly. You can find publications that will teach and educate you on the effective use of pepper spray or mace. Finally, practice, practice, practice. God forbid you have to use it, but if you do you’ll be much more likely to use it effectively.
Guardian Self Defense & Security Products is an excellent resource for pepper spray products and information. We also have all your self defense product solutions. Please visit us at:
http://www.guardian-self-defense.com/
Target Audience: women safety
Tags: pepper spray, mace, self defense products
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