Defense Spray- Basic Questions

1) Foam is better than mist spray- far less likely to come back on you.

2) Very limited range, literally almost knife-fighting distance. (10 yds is generally considered the "max".)

3) Be ready to escalate your force application, not everyone will be incapacitated/dissuaded by OC/CS.

4) Use it as long as you can, but you should be breaking contact (RUNNING!), or drawing something more decisive, if the agressor does anything other than turn and run from you.

5) OC/CS is not a "threat", don't warn, etc.. Have it in hand, verbally challenge (have a phrase in mind, "Backoff, man...", whatever, don't warn that you have spray, unless you are immediately prepared to escalate). Use as needed. Some instructors will tell you to challenge, and I understand the reasons for that. To me that is a situational assessment, and in general, negates the effectiveness of the spray by reducing the surprise.

Each delivery method has it's own advantages and disadvantages. To say one is better than the other is uninformed.

The circumstance will have a good deal to do with the effectiveness of the product. Example, if person is wearing wraparound glasses popular today, foam may not be effective, while gas or droplet stream may be.

Foam is much easier to clean up, but can also be thrown back at you. As noted , any spray can get into the HVAC system.

Basic classes are taught in many areas, suggest you find one.

Fox IMO is the best, and I carry 4oz stream Fox. Was an OC instructor for some years..but do to my age dropped certification.

Oh...aiming point should be high chest with stream or droplet stream.

PS..effect will not be immediate, effect on EDPs, drugies, drunks, is marginal or doubtful..effectiveness in general will run about 75 to 80 percent.

Spray and move quickly away, off line of you opponents movement if possible. You do not want to be where he/she last saw you!!!!

OC Spray

I don't carry often but keep handy a OC spray from Guard Aklaska , a 9 0z. size with a thumb removable safety key. This spray has one of the highest percentages of OC, 20% compared to the smaller 'purse or pocket sized' cans and even more potent than most all LEO carries. This one is supposed to deter even grizzlies ! It has an ingredient which opens skin pores and removes protective mucous from the eyes and nose to really 'sink in ' ! Here is a clip from the manufacturers descrip. :
In any aerosol product, there are three components; The active ingredient, the carrier or base, and the propellant. In pepper spray the active ingredient is capsaicin, not oleoresin capsicum(OC). The total capsaicin in a pepper spray can be thought of in the same manner as the octane rating in gasoline. It is in reality the qualitative strength rating of pepper spray. In the past, Schoville Heat Units (SHU's) was a rating used as a marketing ploy to sell pepper sprays. SHU's are determined by a taste test and are not recognized by the E.P.A. or any laboratory in the industry because of their obvious inaccuracy.
A pepper spray that reads 10%, 15% or 20% tells the consumer that, by volume, the formula contains that respective percent of OC. The percent of OC does not tell the consumer the qualitative strength of the active ingredient -- capsaicin. The A.O.A.C. method for testing oleoresin capsicum is the only method recognized worldwide. The three capsinoids that make up the percent of total capsaicin are the following: Capsaicin(%C); Dihydro-capsaicin(%DHC); and Nordihydrocapsaicin(%NDC).

The carrier/base is also a significantly important, integrated part of the pepper spray. Historically, distilled water, vegetable oil or mineral oil has been used as a carrier for pepper sprays. It is well known that water is the antidote to capsaicin. Those pepper sprays using distilled water as their carrier are usually priced very low and found to be ineffective. Animals, as like humans, possess oils and fatty tissues on their skin to protect them from burns and damage caused by the suns harmful UV rays. Vegetable and mineral oil do nothing more than add additional protection to the skin and mucous membranes, thus reducing the overall effectiveness or the active ingredient, capsaicin. It is also known that capsaicin can be destroyed by the suns UV rays within a period of 48 hours, leaving nothing more than the carrier, be it vegetable oil or mineral oil, which alone attracts all bear species.

The last component of pepper spray is the propellant. The propellant's sole purpose is to dispense both the active ingredient and the carrier. The propellant should be an environmentally safe ingredient that does not contain flammable or ozone depleting substances.

In our research, we at McNeil River Enterprises, Inc., Manufacturer of Guard Alaska© Personal Protection Systems, have found that capsaicin alone will not deter an aggressive animal attack or human assailant. Guard Alaska products are unique from all other pepper sprays. Instead of the conventional carriers used, our products contain a carrier/base that removes the protective oils from the skin and mucous membranes, and actually opens the pores of the skin, allowing the active ingredient -- capsaicin to penetrate, thus increasing its overall effectiveness. Our carrier has a greater density than that of water, thus allowing it to displace water. This is a desirable trait for use when the animal or human assailant is wet from rain or other causes.

P95,

I'm getting the imperssion you want to know how long a container will last under use or perhaps more than one use?

To the more than one use, try weighing the container when you buy it. It should say right on it how much it has inside in Fl oz. after it's uses, weigh it again. Keep in mind that some of the weight is propellant.

As for the steady use........

Personally, I'd try the manufacturers website or..........buy two and test one myself.

Mike