Pepper spray or Mace?

[PrinceofWands]

There are pros and cons to every option. Mace is a brand name. There are only two effective chemical agents and depending on local laws neither, either, or both might be illegal for you to have.

CS sprays combine the compounds CS (o-chlorobenzylidine malononitrile) dissolved in the solvent MiBK (methyl iso-butyl ketone).

OC sprays are oleoresin capsicum, pepper extract essentially.

The effects are similar, but can vary depending on concentrations, application methods, and personal tolerances. It is entirely possible to be totally immune to the effects of either or both of these chemical agents. You should know that some people have allergic reactions to OC sprays, which can result in death. It is highly unusual for death to occur from commercially available CS sprays, except from secondary causes. Both types have varying strengths, but the most common is the % rating of OC, which varies from 5-12%. Usually 12% is law enforcement only. Many areas restrict citizens to 5%.

Non matter which type you choose there are 3 delivery methods available to the consumer.

Stream - best distance, best in wind, but a narrow striking area and quickly depleted

Fog - best area of effect, long lasting, but very short range and will 'blowback' more than the other two

Foam - most intense effects, somewhat narrow striking area, quickly depleted, most costly and bulkiest


No matter which of the combinations you choose you can expect to get some on yourself no matter what. It's kind of like a knife fight, once they're out both people ARE going to get hurt. Same with chemicals. I'd strongly recommend purposefully exposing yourself to your chosen spray a few times and regularly re-exposing yourself so that when you use it you're not surprised by it, placing yourself in danger. Make sure you have someone else with you when you test it on yourself, in case you develop a reaction to it and need medical attention.

Furthermore, there's a HELL of a lot more to an engagement than 'spray him'. It takes some dedicated training to have any hope of being effective with a chemical agent in a fight. Contact local law enforcement, or self defense instructors and get some training so you don't get anyone hurt. You should also get information from a lawyer or law enforcement about the technicalities of self defense laws and chemical agents as they relate to it.

 

[Cook1]

When I'm walking late at night, I carry a key that I'm ready to gouge at the eyes with...

Time to upgrade that?

 

[IGBT]

...I hear there's a super pepper spray that was developed to blow bears away..comes in a can about the size of a small fire ext. any body seen it??:Q

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

Tazers suck. I used to have a 100,000 volt stun gun that I would shock myself with at parties ... etc. It didn't really phase me too much. It stung a little bit, however, there's no way a little battery powered electrical device is going to stop a drunk, let alone a a motivated criminal.

You must have had a toy. Real tazers are something to be feared. I was hit with a ESD tazer as a demo, and it... wow. You can't explain it. Every muscle in your body shuts down. I have a whole new respect for them.

Here is some videos for proof. Check out Hans VS. Tazer M26. That is the tazer I got hit with.

http://www.personal-selfdefens...taser-video_center.htm

 

[Wallydraigle]

Definitely get the maize.

 

[Squisher]

I'd rather have my wife carry this.

 

[AndrewR]

.38 snubnose with a shrouded hammer. Better thing about it is that you don't even have to use it for it to work -- showing it usually does the trick. Best thing about it is if you have to use it, you know it's going to do some damage.

Neither of those are true for mace or pepper spray.

 

[0roo0roo]

lol that xtra vid was nice

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
.38 snubnose with a shrouded hammer. Better thing about it is that you don't even have to use it for it to work -- showing it usually does the trick. Best thing about it is if you have to use it, you know it's going to do some damage.

Neither of those are true for mace or pepper spray.

Great minds think alike.

 

[0roo0roo]

eh yea i'd feel more secure if the taser had multiple rounds. suck to miss.

 

[LordMorpheus]

That bear reppellant is something else

It doesn't wash off like normal pepper spray/mace will, so basically its on unless you have some solvent to clean it, or it burns itself out.

A shot of that to just about anywhere is a guarunteed trip to the emergency room, just do us all a favor and make someone else drive you.

If you hit a duded with a full shot of that and left him on the side of the road it could be fatal.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: IGBT
...I hear there's a super pepper spray that was developed to blow bears away..comes in a can about the size of a small fire ext. any body seen it??:Q

When we deal with big crowds some officers will carry OC spray in a small fire extinguisher-like canister. :evil:

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
eh yea i'd feel more secure if the taser had multiple rounds. suck to miss.

If you miss with the prongs you can take off the cartridge and use it as a stun gun. Or you can carry multiple cartridges (which I doubt many civilians would).

 

[hytek369]

mace