| One of the keys to effective use of defense pepper | | | | When you unclip the pepper spray and raise the self |
| spray is timing. Exactly when to bring pepper spray | | | | defense tool to your assailant's direction refers to |
| out on an attacker can be critical to the result of the | | | | timing in this case. If you see a potential assault |
| situation. First you must make sure the pepper spray | | | | about to happen, do NOT pull the spray out right |
| is readily available, and, second, through repetitive | | | | away to threaten the perpetrator. If you do so, you |
| practice can you bring it out for use against an | | | | are telegraphing your intent to your attacker. This will |
| assailant quickly and accurately. It is only a matter of | | | | give him the choice to prepare for and react to it. |
| when you do it once the first two situations are met. | | | | Even worse, he may have his own weapon that he |
| The timing of the use of pepper spray is a function | | | | carries in his waistband, "just in case." Many bad boys |
| of three things: | | | | carry weapons for their "self protection." If you pull |
| | | | out your pepper spray out and threaten him with it, |
| 1. prior cognizance | | | | he just might pull out a gun or a knife and threaten |
| 2. distance involved when the assault actually | | | | you! For that reason, do NOT pull out pepper spray |
| transpires | | | | unless you are ready to use it! |
| 3. whether or not your motions or physical abilities | | | | You give the assailant the element of surprise when |
| are restricted by the assailant. | | | | you pull your pepper spray out when he is least |
| Your prior cognizance of a potential assault is the | | | | expecting it. Your actions are determined by the |
| first timing factor. You must have foreknowledge | | | | threat. Your survival and safety come as a result of |
| that an attack can happen at any time. Your | | | | your unexpected reaction to it. This is where timing |
| foreknowledge will be very short, and you will have | | | | comes in. The more quick and unexpected your self |
| only a split second to react. Under these conditions, | | | | defense reaction, the more successful your defense |
| timing is critical! | | | | will be. |