The use of force continuum ranges from Command presence, in which your very presence deters aggression, all the way up to lethal force.
Between these two far ends of the spectrum are less-than-lethal self-defense tools, including a Taser, Stun Gun, or Pepper spray.
Pepper spray, more technically known as OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) spray, is a viable alternative for self-defense; it is classified as less-than –lethal, in that it is highly unlikely to cause death or serious injury. OC spray can temporarily incapacitate an attacker, buying you time to escape.
Pointing a canister of OC at someone with your thumb on the button and a stern warning to back off may be enough to dissuade some individuals.
OC is also useful it than it is far less regulated than firearms, and therefore more accessible, and it is an option for someone who has decided beforehand they could not use a gun to defend themselves. OC is one of many options for a self-defense spray.
Other types of self- defense sprays
Wasabi
This is not yet available for civilian use as of the date of this article. (Summer 2018). It is based on wasabi horseradish instead of OC. It produces more or less the same effects as OC, but is very short acting; about 10 minutes vs. 45. Thinking of how much a small amount of wasabi paste burns, this has got to hurt.
Wasabi also produces a different kind of burn. I feel hot peppers mostly in my mouth, as a nice red hot glow that burns for a few minutes.
Wasabi burns my nose and somehow, the back of my neck in a white hot glow that only lasts for seconds, but it is much more intense.
Tear gas or CS (chlorobenzylidene malononitrile)
CS is classified as a chemical irritant, and is commonly known as tear gas. It is a powder which when raised to its melting point releases a vapor which reacts with water to make an acid. CS is irritating to the skin and mucus membranes.
CS will cause a burning sensation, tearing of the eyes, coughing, excessive mucous production, e.g., strands going from your nose to the ground, and may cause vomiting and choking, and loss of bladder control.
Basically, whatever fluids are inside you will unpleasantly emerge through the nearest convenient orifice. It will be especially irritating if skin is wet or perspired, and will cause acute burning under wristwatches, other jewelry, or eyeglasses.
People who have been exposed to it say it is quite incapacitating. It is short acting, and is minimally effective against dogs’ bears, or sasquatches, as they have no lacrimal glands, or tear ducts.
I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. I do not actually know whether or not sasquatches can cry.
Mace or CN (Chloroacetophenone)
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CN is commonly referred to as Mace. CN is made of crystals in a pressurized liquid medium, typically propelled by nitrogen gas. It can have a delayed onset of action for up to 30 seconds, and causes the eyes to burn and water.
This should not be confused with Mace brand OC spray. This is a brand name, but has fallen into generic use for any type of irritating chemical spray.
Bear Spray
This is OC at a lower concentration than what is used as a human self-defense spray (about 2% vs 10%). Intuitively it would make more sense if a higher OC concentration was used on something so much bigger than a human, but apparently the lower concentration is more effective against bears.
Bear spray comes in a much larger container (about 8 0z. vs. 3 oz. or less) than most canisters of OC, and is more of a fogger than a spray. It is designed to put up an OC shield between you and the bear.
Wasp/Hornet Spray
Wasp/hornet spray is a very good choice for self-defense if you are attacked by wasps. If attacked by a person, it is a very poor choice. The active ingredients in most wasp/hornet sprays are a variety of chemical compounds called Pyrethroids or pyrethins.
Both compounds are minimally toxic to humans, and will produce stinging, burning, itching, tingling and numbness if they come in contact with exposed skin. It will not be of a high enough intensity to deter most people intent on doing violence. It is also a violation of federal law to use an insecticide “in a manner inconsistent with its labeling” For a self-defense spray, stick with OC.
PAVA (Pelargonic Acid Vanillylamide)
This is a synthetic form of OC used by law enforcement in the UK.
Criminal identifier
This is a joke. It is a non-irritating dye/paint which you spray on the bad guy. The idea is it will “disorient them and dissuade them from further aggression”.
When they run away, the police will be able to identify them as your attacker as they will be painted. The only advantage this has is it can be carried in jurisdictions where OC cannot. Used by civilians in the UK.
MPK (pelargonic acid morpholide) is used in Russia, and is another synthetic analogue of OC.
PSI Poly Spray Imobilizante is a lachrymatory spray based on lemon and onion extracts and is used in Brazil.
ACDC adesivo para controle de distúrbios civis” (civilian disorder control adhesive) is also used in Brazil, and is basically a spider web, or “glue- net” sprayed on the bad guys.
OC (Oleoresin capsicum)
While the other self-defense sprays have their advantages and limitations, we will focus on OC as it is one of the most effective and commonly available.
Before buying pepper spray, know the law regarding purchase, possession, carry, and use in your jurisdiction.
Oleoresin capsicum is the extract from hot peppers. OC is an oily liquid, partly water soluble, with a maximum of 15% active ingredient and a rating of about one to three million Scoville units. The Scoville scale is a rating scale of the relative heat perception from capsicum. See the link below for a look at the Scoville scale.
OC is classified as a either a lachrymatory agent, or a neurotoxin. A lachrymatory agent causes tearing of the eyes. A Neurotoxin sounds very sinister, and is not a very accurate label.
A neurotoxin typically effects the central nervous system, or the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, which are responsible for the command, control, and communication of the entire body.
OC affects the peripheral nervous system or the sensory nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, specifically the peripheral sensory nerves responsible for the perception of heat and pain.
The effects
OC will produce a burning sensation on any bare skin it contacts. It causes your mucous membranes in your nasal cavity to produce heavy amounts of mucous, and your eyes to tear, and reflexively clamp shut. The subject who is exposed will be incapacitated for 30 to 45 minutes and the effects can persist to a lesser degree for up to three or four hours, producing prolonged discomfort. OC will cause temporary inflammation, but it does not damage tissue.
Advantages & disadvantages of OC
The limitations
A canister of OC is not a magic charm that will repel evil. It is a tool, fraught with limitations.
- OC expires
- It may not function in extreme cold
- It is PFU (Pretty Fucking Useless) if kept in the bottom of a purse or anywhere where you cannot access it within about two seconds. Get an OC canister with a belt/pocket clip.
- It will blow back in your face in the wind.
- It will contaminate a small enclosed area. The vaporized spray will diffuse and cause coughing and irritation to people in a building. A CO told me that if OC is used on the first floor of the Parole and Probation building, it wafts through the air vents and everyone in the building is coughing.
- It may not stop someone with a very high pain tolerance, who is very intent on victimizing you
- Someone with a firearm and a lot of crazy may just open up indiscriminately
- It can take up to 15 seconds to take effect
Onset of Action.
The effects of OC may not be felt for up to 15 seconds. A violent individual can do a lot of damage in that time.
Efficacy
Most people will be stopped or deterred by OC, depending on their level of motivation to attack you, and their pain tolerance. There have been numerous documented cases and many more anecdotal ones of individuals sprayed or even saturated with OC who did not respond.
The OC stream may also be blocked by eyewear or from what I am told, a skateboard used as a makeshift shield. Some lots of OC should have failed quality control, but made it to the shelf, and are too weak to have an incapacitating effect.
Ask anyone in law enforcement or corrections, or otherwise involved with the criminal justice system and they will have a story of someone they hosed down with OC and it had no effect. For that matter, Binge-watch COPS and you will see suspects exposed to pepper spray with no effect or a delayed effect.
Options for OC delivery systems
There are three main options for OC delivery systems, or the means by which the spray, foam, or gel gets on the bad guy.
- Pyrotechnic: Use a small gunpowder charge to expel the OC at high velocity, to make evading it unlikely. An example of this type is Kimber Pepper Blaster II A two shot pyrotechnically delivered burst of OC from a gray or red polymer pseudo-handgun frame.
- Pepper ball: The OC is contained in gelatin balls which shatters on impact of the person or a nearby surface and releases the OC. Also highly unlikely to be evaded. An example is Salt Supply’s Pepper Spray gun
- Pressurized: Nitrogen is used to propel the OC. The OC may emerge as a liquefied Spray, or sticky Foam, or a Gel. The spray, foam, or gel may contain a UV dye to mark the bad guy for identification later. Some models are triple action, meaning they contain CS in addition to OC and the UV dye. The pepper foam is OC which is blended with a substance that will foam up when sprayed, sticking to and coating the face of the bad guy. The gel will come out in a gooey string, minimizing cross contamination. It is better of indoor use than a spray. Examples include: Mace pepper Gun 2.0 A black polymer handgun frame with an orange break action barrel which holds a canister of pressurized OC.
Training and Demonstrations
Get live training. Reading and video is an introduction, or supplement to training. Here are links to videos to give you get you started and to provide some further information.
Conclusion
OC is a less than lethal option on the continuum of force. It always you to defend yourself at a distance, incapacitate your attacker so you can escape, and generally will not permanently harm your attacker. There are a number of options available for both the type of OC and the delivery system.
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