| Most people have heard of pepper spray, but do you | | | | sprays may include CN, CS, OC, or a combination of |
| know how it works, or what exactly is inside the can | | | | these chemicals, because some people are more |
| that you are carrying? | | | | affected by one than by the other two. |
| All sprays are not the same. They are rated in | | | | To turn these chemicals into a useful spray, the |
| Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), just like very hot peppers. | | | | chemical compounds are suspended in water, and |
| This measurement is directly related to how | | | | then pressurized in the canister. Some also contain a |
| effective the pepper spray will be. Most currently | | | | UV dye which marks the attacker. Once |
| available have a rating of around 2 to 3 million SHU. A | | | | apprehended, the dye on the attacker's face, hands, |
| very hot habanero pepper is close to 2 million SHUs, | | | | and clothing will glow under UV light for up to 48 |
| for comparison. The higher the SHU, the hotter the | | | | hours, aiding in a positive identification. |
| spray, although any of the commercially available | | | | The spray mechanism itself works just like a can of |
| pepper sprays should be plenty to stop an attacker. | | | | spray paint. Simply aim at the attacker's face and |
| They come in a variety of effectiveness ratings. | | | | press the button, and this will hit anyone within a 4 |
| Most are designed to stop humans, while others are | | | | to 20 foot range, depending on the size and type of |
| rated for dogs or bears. | | | | spray you are carrying. Some come out as a fine |
| The first personal defense sprays, first developed in | | | | mist, which is ideal if you have doubts about being |
| the late 1960s and early 1970s, contained Oleoresin | | | | able to accurately aim at the attacker. Others come |
| Capsicum, or OC. This oil extracted from peppers of | | | | out in a solid stream, which is thought to be more |
| the Capsicum family is known to cause coughing, | | | | effective but harder to aim, since it must hit the |
| watery eyes, and a burning sensation on the skin. | | | | attacker's face directly to be most effective. |
| The oleoresin capsicum is what gives the peppers | | | | After spraying an attacker with this pepper spray, |
| their heat. Originally, it was extracted from chili | | | | the person will instantly become quite uncomfortable. |
| peppers, and then powdered for use in pepper | | | | Their eyes will usually shut immediately and begin |
| sprays. | | | | watering profusely in an attempt to wash out the |
| Today, most pepper sprays are actually made from | | | | pepper spray. It may also cause temporary blindness. |
| chemicals, such as Chloracetophenone (CN) or | | | | The attacker will become immobilized by the irritants |
| Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile (CS). These chemicals | | | | in the pepper spray as their skin develops a burning |
| usually affect the tear ducts, as well as irritating the | | | | sensation. These effects take just a second or two |
| eyes, nerve endings, mucous membranes, and skin. | | | | to appear, instantly stopping the attack. |
| Modern pepper sprays also restrict breathing. Today, | | | | |