Tips On How to Effectively Use Pepper Spray

Do you have Pepper Spay Knowledge?

Sprayed into a would-be-attacker’s face, pepper spray or foam is an excellent self defense product – the victim will be neutralized long enough for you to get away or get help. However for any personal protection device that you have such as pepper spray or even stun guns to be totally effective you have to know how to use them correctly. Listed below are some helpful information on using your pepper spray.

• Effective Use of Pepper Spray 
  One of the keys to effective use of pepper spray or pepper foam  is timing and recognizing a potential threat and knowing when it becomes an assault! Exactly when you bring a pepper spray to bear on an attacker can be critical to the outcome of a situation. First you have to make sure the pepper spray is readily available and, second, through practice you can bring it to bear on the attacker quickly and accurately.<BR>
  

  Carry Pepper Spray

• Basic Pepper Spray Shooting Technique 
  When you´re ready to shoot the pepper spray or foam, go into a slight crouch with your weight evenly balanced on both feet, if you have the chance. Thrust your non-shooting hand straight out in front of you. At the same time, yell “STOP” as loud as you can. As you’re doing this raise your shooting hand with the pepper spray to eye level approximately 6 inches in front of your chin, aim over your outstretched arm and hand, and fire toward the attacker’s face and head area. 

   

• How to Spray Your Pepper Canister
  If you need to use your pepper spray make sure you have distance between you and the threat if at all possible. Aim the spray at the eyes and facial region of the threat then release a 1 to 2 second burst of spray or foam. After you have done this MOVE out of the way but keep your eyes on the threat. Pepper spray can take a couple of moments to cause a reaction and by watching the reactions of the threat you will be able to determine if you will require another shot of pepper spray.  

   

• Timing Your Pepper Spray is So Important 
  There´s much more to using pepper spray than point and shoot! Remember, don´t raise, point, and shoot the spray until you´re in a position to fire. Wait until the attacker is in range and you know the spray will hit him full in the face area and incapacitate him! The objective is to surprise him or her before they can have a chance to react or think. 

   

• Shout STOP When You Use Pepper Spray Shouting “STOP” creates a slight diversion, and can get the attention of others who may be in the near by area. Raising your arm outstretched toward the attacker may cause his immediate attention to be focused on that hand, not the one with the pepper spray. On the Otherhand, when used by surprise, pepper spray is an excellent distraction, allowing you time to get away.
  This gives you time to shoot the spray before the attacker can react. 

   

• Keep Your Eyes Open When Firing Pepper Spray
  DO NOT ever shut your eyes! If your attacker moves, you may have to correct your aim slightly. You should shoot the spray for 2 to 3 seconds, neither a short squirt nor a long drenching. After shooting your pepper spray, the attacker will normally stop within seconds, blinded and virtually helpless due to uncontrollable coughing spasms. Once the attacker disables, stop spraying. Continue backing and concentrate on getting away!   

   

• Don´t Stick Your Hand Way Out When Firing 
  Never thrust your shooting hand out in front of you towards the attacker. He or she may react quickly and hit your hand aside or grab it! As you shoot, back up and continue backing up away from the attacker. This gives you a little more time and draws the attacker into the pepper spray or pepper foam.

   

• Where to Aim Your Pepper Spray 
  One of the most important tips of effectively using your pepper spray is hitting your target. Pepper spray should be directed at the attackers face at close range either in a stream, spray or mist and never sprayed wildly at a crowd. Avoid an armpit or face full of pepper spray by practicing your aim before you have to spray an attacker in panic. Aim spray at your attacker’s eyes and then dodge away if you can to avoid allowing any back spray to hit you. Milk or sour cream, a baking soda paste or honey are decent pepper spray antidotes (that’s why milk is the perfect beverage to accompany a spicy meal full of capsaicin), but expect some lingering pain and heat if you accidentally dose yourself. The technique to using is simple – keep following the head and keep spraying. 

   

• Good Pepper Spray Technique Tips 
  If someone is attempting to attack you, always move off the line of force before spraying. This means stepping to the side of where you are. Deliver the pepper spray by in a few short bursts of a second or so each in an “X” or “Z” pattern. Fanning is also pepper spray technique for hitting your mark. You spray the stream then move your dispersions path from side to to side until yon hit your mark! The stream also provides the heaviest blast of pepper (cans will empty faster). You cannot always count on your target staying still and spraying in a pattern will help you hit the target. Then get out of there, and once you are safe, contact the police and report the attack. You want your description of the attack to be the first one they hear. 

   

• When All You Can Do Is Get Your Pepper Spray Out 
  Obviously you may not have time to shoot the pepper spray in such a textbook way. You may not have time to do anything but bring the spray up and start shooting. If that’s the case, don’t worry about aiming correctly, or even correcting aim. JUST SHOOT! 

   

• Practice, Practice Practice is the Best Pepper Spray Technique

  It is vital that you give some thought in advance to how you will carry your pepper spray canister. 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 device. Make sure you can draw your pepper spray quickly from wherever you’re keeping it. Good, accessible locations include inside a pants pocket, especially for the models with a clip. Some of the best models include a key ring so that you can attach your car or dorm keys to it and always have it handy. If you have an old canister you can practice with that one.  PepperEyes.com recommends that you replace your pepper spray every two years.

 

 

Is Pepper Spray Legal?

Yes, though you may not carry it on an airplane and some US states have pepper spray restrictions and formulation rules as listed below:

• Massachusetts - you must have a Firearms Identification Card (FID) to possess and/or use pepper spray
• Michigan – specific pepper or tear gas formulations are required ( see some samples of Michigan-approved sprays)
• New York – pepper spray must be purchased from a New York state licensed firearm dealer or pharmacist
• Wisconsin - state formulations do not allow UV dye in pepper spray
• See More Regulations Here

By Victor Swindell, owner of PepperEyes.com, a division of Onyx Knight  Enterprises. PepperEyes.com is dedicated to assist those people who are unwilling to become a victim and are taking responsibility to protect themselves.