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How do pepper sprays work?
The active ingredient in pepper sprays is
oleoresin capsicum, commonly referred to as OC. OC is a natural, oily,
resin-like substance derived from hot peppers, the same peppers used to
"heat up" spicy foods. Pepper sprays induce an almost immediate burning
sensation of the skin and a burning, tearing, and swelling of the eyes.
If spray is inhaled, the respiratory tract becomes inflamed resulting in
a swelling of the mucous membranes lining the breathing passages and
temporarily restricting breathing to short, shallow breaths.
What are Pepper Spray Restrictions?
New York - may only
purchase defense sprays from licensed firearm dealers or licensed
pharmacists in that state. We do not ship pepper sprays to NY anymore.
Massachusetts - may only
purchase defense sprays from licensed firearm dealers in that state. We
do not ship pepper sprays to MA anymore.
Michigan - OC pepper spray can be no stronger than a 2% concentrate.
CS is the only tear gas accepted and can be no larger than 35 grams per
canister. No combination sprays allowed. For Michigan approved sprays
click here.
Wisconsin - OC pepper only. No tear gas UV dye
or combination sprays. OC can be no stronger than a 10% solution.
Canister should be 15-60 grams only. Must have safety feature. Wisconsin
residents can buy only
PepperGard Pepper Sprays.Can I carry pepper spray anywhere?
No. Federal law forbids carrying any type of tear gas on airplanes or in
the security area of an airport. The aircraft prohibition is not only
for security on the airplane, but also because the drop in air pressure
as a plane rises can cause these canisters to explode. Even from the
baggage compartment, your tear gas might mix with the cabin air supply
and blind the pilots, with tragic consequences.
What are Scoville Heat Units?
The amount of OC in pepper sprays is usually marketed as a percentage,
by weight, of the other ingredients in the spray. However, this
percentage cannot always be used to compare the "hotness" of different
pepper sprays. Here's why: The component of oleoresin capsicum that
gives it its hotness is the chemical capsaicin. Therefore, the hotness
of OC is directly related to the amount of capsaicin in it, which varies
significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer. The amount of capsaicin
in OC is rated in Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), and can range from a few
thousand to several million SHUs. An OC having a SHU rating of 500,000
yields a 10% spray rated at one-tenth the hotness of the original OC, or
50,000 SHUs. But a different OC with a rating of 2,000,000 SHUs yields a
10% spray containing 200,000 SHUs, which is four times as hot as the
first spray, even though both can be marketed as 10% pepper sprays.
To compare the hotness of two different pepper sprays, contrast the
total number of Scoville Heat Units (SHUs) or the dry weight of
capsaicin in the sprays, not the percentage of the OC in the sprays.
When should I use pepper sprays?
You should use defensive sprays only in life threatening or dangerous
situations. It is not legal to use pepper spray to defend property. This
does not mean that you may not use tear gas just because an attempt to
take your property is a component of an assault on you. If you or
another person faces threat of injury, you may defend against it. On the
other hand, if only property is threatened, you may not legally use any
weapon.
When will defensive sprays expire?
Canisters may have a shelf life of three to six years. They are usually
conservatively dated to expire in one year. Shake the canister about
once a month to keep the ingredients mixed.
How will I carry defensive sprays?
It is vital that you give some thought in advance to how you will carry
your pepper spray. A purse can be a poor location, as it is likely to
end up at the bottom and you will have to dig for it in an emergency. A
purse with an accessible, open pocket where the spray can't get lost may
be better than keeping it loose in the bag, but the first indication
that you need your spray may be when an assailant is already tugging on
your purse. Consider carrying the device in the same place whenever
possible. That way, you won't have to think, "where is it today?" in the
heat of the moment. Try various carrying methods and practice drawing
the weapon. Make sure you can draw it quickly from wherever you're
keeping it. Good, accessible locations include inside a pants pocket,
especially for the models with a clip. If it's clipped onto the outside
of a pocket or belt, it may be dislodged accidentally or grabbed by an
attacker. At the very least, it may be noticed before you use it,
removing the element of surprise which adds to the effectiveness of
pepper spray. Most clip models have the clip on the left side of the
canister, which leaves the majority of the canister concealed if it's
kept in the left pocket with the clip out. If you are comfortable
drawing the weapon with your left hand, this is a good configuration. If
this type of canister were kept in the right pocket, it would be
backwards when it is pulled out. Another good location may be a loose
outer pocket of a jacket.
What if I become exposed to any defensive spray?
If you become exposed, copious amounts of
cool water should begin to provide relief and rinse away the tear gas
contamination. Warm water may intensify the burning and inflammation,
though. Fresh air helps, and washing twice with soap is recommended. Try
not to rub! Pain may be reduced by taking an over-the-counter
anti-inflammatory drug, like ibuprofen. In addition, an over-the-counter
antihistamine may alleviate some of the effects of pepper spray. |
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