If you walk alone at night or work in a dangerous area, you might want to carry pepper spray for self defense. As the name suggests, it is made from hot peppers. Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is the most important chemical used in pepper spray. OC based pepper sprays have several of concentrate levels: 1 , 10.

Pepper spray is available in four different spray patterns: steam, gel, fogger, and foam.

Different Spray types

If you live in a windy place, you would want to use a stream type pepper spray. Stream sprays are very effective choice. They have a 15-20 feet spray range. The advantage of stream pepper spray is that you can be farther away from an attacker. Moreover, there is no danger of chemical blowing back at you.

Pepper gel works differently than any other type of pepper spray. It has a range of up to 25 feet. The active ingredient is in the gel foam, which prevents unwanted contamination. Gel pepper spray is excellent for indoor use or in small enclosed area. There is no splatter or inhalation problems when used inside.

Fogger sprays will stop an attacker in their tracks! Their range is 4-8 feet. Fogger type of sprays have finer droplets and are quite effective. However, these sprays are not ideal in a windy situation. Wind could blow it back at you or in the wrong direction.

Foam type sprays are similar to spray gel. They are also ideal for confined areas and indoors. Foam type sprays have a range of 6 to 8 ft. Foam sprays will coat an attackers face very thickly.

How pepper spray works

Pepper spray has become a popular item for defending yourself against an attacker or an aggressive animal. The chemical present in the sprays is an inflammatory. When it comes in contact with eyes, throat, nose, and lungs, it hits the mucous membranes present in them, and leads to instant incapacitation. This causes the eyes to become teary and slam shut! Stronger concentration may cause temporary blindness or restriction of breathing for sometime.

The best way to use a pepper spray is to spray an attacker's face. Your attacker will become incapacitated for sufficient time so that you can run away or get help.

Remember, if you live in New York, you must buy a pepper spray from a licensed pharmacist or a firearm dealer. If you live in Michigan, you can use specific sprays that have been approved for sale in that state. In Massachusetts, you must possess a Firearms Identification Card to use such sprays, while in Wisconsin, you cannot use UV dye sprays.

Animal type pepper sprays are legal in all 50 states. These types of spray can be purchased on-line for shipment to most areas that restrict other type of pepper sprays.

It's time to prepare yourself with a self defense weapon. Do not be the victim of a crime.