Questions About Pepper Spray and Types Available

This post will try to explain as simply as possible, the basics about pepper spray.

To start, most pepper spray consists of a percentage of a very hot pepper substance called OC or oleoresin capsicum. Most brands carry 10% of this substance. Some have up to 17% concentration! The higher the concentration the hotter it will feel on an attacker's face and the most likely he or she, will slam their eyes shut! Most pepper spray also include a key chain and a UV Dye. The Dye helps in identification when an attacker is caught by the police. The solution inside the aerosol pressured, pepper spray container is oily. This makes it harder to be washed off with just plain water. Some sprays can also contain tear gas.

Most people think that pepper spray shoots it's substance like a hairspray would... While some do, the most popular pepper sprays, deliver the pepper in a thin stream. There are many types of sprays and they can usually reach up to 7 feet. Some can reach even further! When spraying, you should always try to aim at an attacker's eyes.

Forced Cone - This is like a hairspray, it starts narrow and ends as a wide mist. Good for enclosed areas. Example: Mace Triple Action Fogger.

Broken Stream/Heavy Stream - These are the types that usually can reach the farthest, as long as 20 feet, but they are also the ones that use the most amount when shot. Example: Kimber PepperBlaster.

Fogger - Similar to Forced Cone. Ideal for home invasions, especially if more than one invader is present. Caution should be taken to leave the area quickly so you don't get spray back! Example: Streetwise Pepper Spray 17% 1 lb. Firemaster.

Foam or Gel - These are thicker streams that are less likely to be blown away by the wind and tend to adhere better to the face of an attacker. The foam has an additional benefit of expanding on impact, which covers the attackers face even more. Example: Mace Pepper Foam.

Powder - This is the latest shape in the market today. It sprays a powder like substance that makes a cloud in front of you. It is able to not just get into the eyes of an attacker, but it also is inhaled. This causes a deeper penetration of the hot substance into the lungs. Plus the cloud blocks visibility, so the attacker can't see you. Example: PepperBall HotShot.

Pepper spray also comes disguised as lipstick, perfume, pens, pagers, batons, gun, walking weights and some even come with built in lights for night vision! Please feel free to call us about the different types of sprays!