Self-defense items have really caught on in the civilian community in the last decade or so. Law enforcement agencies have been using them for more than 50 years to help them in doing their jobs.
They are part of a “continuum of force” that law enforcement agencies use starting with a lawful command all the way up to the deadly force of a handgun. Self-defense products provide a less than lethal way to get compliance of a lawful order.
For civilians self-defense items are meant to disable an assailant long enough to give you time to get away from a dangerous situation. Pepper sprays are the most popular self-defense product in the world. And just an FYI, they are on every police officer’s utility belt. Does that tell you how good they are?
Here are some defensive spray tips on how to use this self-defense item safely and properly.
1. First make sure the sprays are legal where you live. They are legal in all 50 states but some cities and states have restrictions on the amount of oleoresin capsicum, which is the main ingredient in all pepper sprays. OC, as it is called, is a derivative of one of the hottest peppers in the world cayenne pepper.
2. Second is to make sure that you know the capabilities of your OC spray before you use it. Every OC spray has an expiration date stamped on the bottom of the container. The distance (range) and number of sprays that are in each container are on the packaging. It doesn’t do you any good to have a pepper spray that sprays 8 feet when you’re 15 feet away from your assailant.
3. The third point is to learn how best to grip the defensive spray and how to access the button to activate it. Some sprays have a finger grips on the front so that they can be easily accessed in darkened conditions. Some sprays have flip top safeties others have safeties that slide from right to left. You need to practice with these so that when the time comes, and it will come, your reactions are second nature and can be done in a split-second.
4. Hold your OC spray in an upright position. There’s only one pepper spray, the Mace Pepper Gun which can be held upside down and still work. It is the best value for long-range self-defense.
5. And last is to practice using your pepper spray. Wind conditions affect the disbursement of the pepper spray. You can get used to this and it is very important that you know how the wind will affect your pepper spray.
If you have any questions the distributor or dealer that you bought the spray from can answer them. If not you need a new distributor or dealer! Some police departments offer training in pepper spray. If you feel the need some check with your local police department.
Remember pepper sprays can not only be used against human assailants but are first line of defense against dog attacks as well. Bear pepper sprays are a must to carry in the back country and work not only on bears, but mountain lions, coyotes, and just about any animal that you will find in the wild.
Learn more about our selection of Pepper Sprays. Once you do, you will want one.
The Home Security Superstore is one of the oldest and largest independent distributors of high quality home security, surveillance, spy, self-defense, survival and safety products. We carry a wide range of self-defense products including tasers, stun guns, pepper sprays and other non-lethal weapons that can save your life in the event of an attack.