Pepper Spray Self-Defense Options

Pepper spray is based on an oil known as oleoresin capsicum, the same chemical that makes chili peppers hot, but in pepper spray, it is present at a much higher concentration. Capsicum is a lachrymatory and inflammatory agent, meaning that it makes your eyes water and causes a swelling and burning of the mucus membranes, causing you to cough and choke, making it difficult to breathe.
Some self-defense sprays may also contain chemical irritants such as Alphachloroacetaphenone (CN) or Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile (CS), which are man-made chemicals. These chemicals rely on increasing pain sensations to stop a physical attack or gain compliance from the person affected.

Pepper spray is a useful self-defense tool is a situation where you might have to fight off a violent attacker. Pepper spray can be very effective, but it is not magic. An attacker can still punch, grab, stab, or shoot you after being sprayed. You should consider pepper spray as a deterrent or distraction that disorients an attacker long enough for you to run away. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that it will instantly incapacitate an attacker – it probably won’t. (As can be seen in this short demonstration video on YouTube.) 

Small canisters of pepper spray are easy to carry but can also be limited in range and the number of shots (sprays) available. Large pepper spray guns, like the Mace Brand Police Strength Pepper Spray Pepper Gun or the Kimber PepperBlaster II give you increased range, but at an increase in size and perhaps concealability . A small canister of pepper spray is easy to carry in the hand with little notice as you walk across a parking lot some evening, but a pepper spray gun will be more likely to attract notice.

Finally, for home defense where you cannot, or choose not to, have a firearm there are paintball guns that shoot balls filled with OC/CS powder.  These large paintball guns can’t be carried for self-defense outside the home (the are just too big) but may be a reasonable choice to keep in your home. This is a common practice in South Africa where there is a high violent crime rate, but where access to firearms is highly restricted.

Whenever possible, I recommend that you take a class on how to use pepper spray for personal protection. Companies like Sabre have certified instructors that can provide this training for you.