| Pepper sprays are some of the most popular self | | | | orthochlorobenzalmalonigtrile (CS) or CN |
| defense products on the market today. Defense | | | | (alphachloroacetaphenone). In general, the most |
| sprays are affordable, easy to carry and use, and | | | | effective pepper sprays contain OC rather than CS |
| extremely effective. Often referred to as Mace | | | | or CN. OC is a natural chemical that works instantly |
| (which is actually a specific brand), self defense | | | | to cause tears and temporary blindness, lung |
| sprays are enormously popular for use in self | | | | inflammation and uncontrollable coughing, and other |
| defense situations. These nonlethal canisters do not | | | | symptoms to take down any attacker quickly. In |
| cause long-term physical effects on the target, and | | | | addition to the formulation, the pepper spray also |
| are designed to give the victim precious moments to | | | | derives its strength from the chemical's |
| get away from a dangerous or violent situation. | | | | concentration, which may range from about 6% to |
| When it comes to buying yours, there are countless | | | | 18%. |
| options. Here is a guide to buying the pepper spray | | | | Strength - The strength of pepper spray is measured |
| that is right for you: | | | | in Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), the same scale used to |
| Purpose - Most general-purpose defense sprays are | | | | measure the heat of hot peppers. Jalapenos are |
| formulated to take down humans almost instantly. | | | | rated at 5,000 SHU, while Habaneros are up to |
| They should also work against animals, such as bears | | | | 300,000 SHU. Pure OC can be rated up to 15 million |
| or dogs, although their effects might be a bit | | | | SHU, although formulations exceeding 4 million SHU |
| unpredictable. If you're looking for a spray specifically | | | | are not recommended for self defense sprays. The |
| to use against wild or domestic animals, consider bear | | | | most effective pepper sprays are rated between |
| spray or dog spray, which has been formulated to | | | | 500,000 and 3 million SHU. |
| work efficiently yet non-lethally against animals. | | | | Delivery - Pepper sprays may be released from the |
| Size and Capacity - The size and style of the canister | | | | canister in several manners, including a fine mist |
| is perhaps one of the most important decisions you | | | | spray, a fog, or a stream. Fogs are ideal for targeting |
| can make regarding your purchase. Pepper spray | | | | a wide area, such as when being attacked by a |
| comes in everything from a keychain or disguised | | | | group of assailants. A stream is great for those who |
| pen-style canister perfect for to carrying in your | | | | are confident in their aim, as it delivers a larger |
| purse to a large can to keep by your front door. | | | | quantity of pepper spray concentrated in one area. A |
| Even the tiniest half-ounce canisters carry up to 20 | | | | mist is recommended for those who want an |
| half-second bursts of spray, more than enough to | | | | easy-to-use way to fight back against an attacker, |
| take an attacker down. If you plan to take your | | | | but are worried that their aim might not be very |
| pepper spray with you to protect you from | | | | accurate. In addition the delivery method, the canister |
| muggings, carjackings, assaults, and other potential | | | | design also affects the range of the spray. Some |
| street crimes, select a small and convenient canister. | | | | sprays have a range of 4-8 feet, while others, |
| Formulation and Concentration - Most pepper sprays | | | | particularly the solid stream style, will reach attackers |
| contain OC, or Oleoresin Capsicum, which is a | | | | standing as many as 20 feet away. |
| chemical derived from hot peppers. Others contain | | | | |