Pepper spray can be very effective in helping someone out of a potentially dangerous situation, however possessing a canister of pepper spray and using it improperly could cause more problems than solutions.

MOST IMPORTANT: No matter what type of pepper spray you own, you must always first be aware of your surroundings. Always have your pepper spray accessible to you in case you need it in an instant. Pepper spray is useless if it is in the bottom of a purse, or left in your vehicle.

There are many useful tips you can find online about the use of pepper spray. But, when purchasing online, find a website that specializes in pepper spray and nothing else. Also, look for a phone number that you can call to ask questions about the products. A knowledgeable retailer will be able to help you decide which spray is best for you.

Some local law enforcement agencies and self defense courses offer a pepper spray training class. These classes can normally be taken in one day or less and can give you much more confidence in the use of your pepper spray.

While it's recommended that anyone serious about self defense, whether it's utilizing pepper spray or learning to disable an assailant physically, consider a professional self-defense course, here are a few tips and facts in the proper use of pepper spray.

PEPPER SPRAY PRACTICE: Most pepper sprays have a shelf life of 2-4 years. But as a conservative measure, it is wise to replace your pepper spray once a year. Then you can use your old pepper spray as a training device. Find a picture online and print it as a full page. Tack the picture up on a tree or a fence about head high. Make sure to stand upwind of the target. Then aim for the eyes and fire away. Try about a 1-2 second burst at a time.

INERT PEPPER SPRAYS: There are inert training pepper sprays available that you can shoot at targets or people for practice. The water training sprays are just water in pressurized spray cans.

If you want a chemical-based spray, they are available as well. The chemical-base is exactly like the pepper spray formula without the pepper resin. Either of these can be used in real person pepper spray training scenarios or to shoot at targets.

COMMON SENSE TRAINING TIPS

1. Avoid holding your arm straight out in front of you. While at first this might seem the obvious way to frighten an attacker, "I've got pepper spray, don't come any closer". It also allows the attacker the opportunity to knock your arm away, or grab the canister and "turn the tables'. It is much smarter to take a step backwards, away from your assailant, giving you time to gather your wits, grab the spray and aim for their face.

2. Yell "STOP", "HELP" or "POLICE"! Doing this will momentarily confuse your assailant and give you that much-needed 1 to 2 advantage. While shouting may or may not actually bring help, it's that small advantage needed to raise your arm, take aim and spray the assailant in the face.

3. Keep your eye on your target at all times. While this will very likely be a fearful moment, keeping your eyes on your assailant allows proper aiming of the pepper spray. Once the spray is dispersed move quickly away from the situation and seek law enforcement help.

4. Get away if at all possible; pepper spray is a deterrent, not a solution. As you back away from your assailant, deliver the pepper spray in the direction of their face, using an approximate two to three second burst. If the stream of pepper spray strikes your attacker, you will know immediately the pepper spray is will have the desired effect. Use these valuable moments to vacate the premises and seek help.

While few imagine being attacked in a dark alley or walking down the street, it's far better to be prepared, than victimized. Having a canister of pepper spray is simply self defense insurance we hope you will never have to use.

TYPES OF PEPPER SPRAY CANISTERS:

Forced cone. This is the most widely used pepper spray canister, it disperses a fine mist in an approximate 2 foot wide, by 8 to 12 foot pattern.

Broken-Stream. The broken-stream canister allows you to disperse the pepper spray even when your aim is not perfect, or there is more than one assailant. While very effective you will use the pepper spray contained very quickly.

Foam. Imagine pepper spray with the consistency of shaving cream and you'll have a clear image of this type of disbursement. Dispersed via foam will virtually eliminate the possibility of blowback, and easily disable your attacker, assuming the foam comes in contact with their face. Foam pepper spray works exactly the same causing the eyes to tear, breathing to become labored, and relief to be immediately sought.

Fogger. This type of pepper spray canister is used for crowd control, multiple attackers, wild animals (such as bears) and situations where careful aim of the spray may be inhibited. Caution should be utilized since blowback (contaminating the user) is very possible.

There are many types of pepper spray canisters available and each is effective in the right situation. But it is often best to get advice from someone who has trained with pepper spray and find out which type is the best for you.