What You Need to Know About Pepper Spray

Pepper spray has been used by people for hundreds of years. Ancient armies would use it against their enemies. It's naturally powerful and is used for self defense by men and women till this day. Pepper sprays are non-lethal, self defense products and one of the most reasonably priced. A person can purchase pepper spray for as little as $8.25 on the internet.

The most popular pepper sprays are purchased in small 1/2 oz. or 3/4 oz. canisters, in order to conceal them in purses or pockets. The main ingredient in pepper spray is OC or oleoresin capsicum. The OC is derived from Cayenne peppers – some of the hottest peppers in the world. Some brands such as Mace, add extra ingredients to the sprays, such as tear gas. You will also find that some pepper sprays have 10% pepper in their canisters while others have 17% or more. Streetwise brand pepper spray is one of those brands that contains a higher percentage of OC. Some brands also have UV dye to invisibly mark an assailant!

Another important thing you need to know about pepper spray is that most are aerosols, so it is very important when you use them, to make sure you hold the product upright. Just as you would when using hairspray. There are of course some exceptions. A product called Guardian Angel Pepper Blaster, has a system other than that of aerosol pepper spray. In fact, Guardian Angel pepper spray is also very fast, 90 MPH burst, to be exact! It can be sprayed in any angle, not just up right. Since all of these brands are in spray form, you need to keep in mind as well, what environment it will be used in. If you use it outdoors in windy conditions, you might get spray back!

Spray back is an issue that has also been addressed by some manufacturers of pepper spray products. There are some solutions such as pepper foam or pepper gel, introduced to the market. These are heavier substances and therefore less likely to be affected by wind and therefore less spray back. Most popular brands carry these optional heavier pepper sprays. Your options are; liquid, foam, gel or fog.

Finally there is the consideration of concealment. Most pepper sprays have a key ring for convenience and are available in just plain canisters, injection molded hard cases or leatherette cases or holsters. Some however are disguised as other things. You can buy pepper spray that looks like a pen, pager or lipstick container! These pepper sprays have an element of surprise!