Hot Pepper Spray

Hot pepper spray is one of the best non-lethal self defense weapons on the market. This is why it is so popular with women and with elderly people, as well as people who want a protective device of some sort with them when they run, cycle or walk in public places.

If you have ever been anywhere near someone who has activated an aerosol can or pepper spray gun you will know that the ingredients will make you cough, splutter and gasp for air. You will instinctively want to cover your face and run from the scene. That is what makes hot pepper spray so effective.

Self defense pepper spray has an inflammatory effect on the mucous membranes, especially your eyes, nose and throat, and also on sensitive skin. It is extremely unpleasant and the effect can last for at least an hour, sometimes even longer, depending on how close your contact is with the pepper spray. If you are attacked or threatened, and spray your assailant directly in the face, that person is going to suffer – and it should stop them in their tracks. This will certainly buy you some time, even if it doesn’t stop them totally. And extra time, as you should recognize, means added safety. For even more security and peace of mind, many people carry some type of personal security alarm as well as a hot pepper spray device of some kind.

While a pepper gun has a physical effect, personal safety alarms are designed to literally raise the alarm! These come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and forms, some of which are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Usually what you do is to pull a pin or trigger it in some other way, and the alarm sounds. Like home security alarms, the noise is shrill and very high-pitched and may be enough to scare an assailant. At very least it will also buy you time – and it will attract attention to your plight.

There are, of course, many other types of self defense weapons, including firearms. But another option for people who would rather not carry a potentially lethal weapon is a small stun gun. These also have a physical effect, but in the form of electric shock.

If you opt for hot pepper spray, make sure you know how to use the device. Also make sure you know its parameters, including how close to your assailant you need to be for it to be effective. There are some that will project the spray as far as 25 feet and at any angle. But others won’t. Also make sure you know whether you are buying a project that is not past its sell-by-date. If it is from old stock, its effectiveness may be limited.

In addition to this, different products, including well-established and accredited Mace products, come in different forms – including gels and foams. Some include a type of tear gas that adds to the effect you will have on an assailant. More on personal safety training

If you want protection from animals, like bears and dogs, be sure you get pepper spray or a personal alarm that is intended for defending off animals. They are different.