ABOUT PEPPER SPRAY
What is pepper spray?
Pepper Spray is made from Oleo-resin Capsicum or OC, a naturally occurring substance derived from cayenne peppers.
What are the effects of pepper spray?
Direct facial contact and inhalation of the spray will induce coughing, nausea, as well as dilating of the eye capillaries resulting in temporary blindness. The mucous membranes will swell causing shortness of breath therefore, causing the assailant to be temporarily incapacitated. Skin contact will cause a burning sensation which is aggravated by rubbing the area. A one second burst of pepper spray can affect an attacker for up to 45 minutes without causing permanent damage. The duration of its effects depend on the strength of the spray.
What is important not to do when using pepper spray?
Never thrust your shooting hand out in front of you towards the assailant. 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 assailant. This gives you a little more time and draws the assailant into the pepper spray.
What are mistakes that I don't want to make when I use pepper spray?
Don't ever shut your eyes! You may have to correct your aim slightly. You should shoot the spray for 2 to 3 seconds. After shooting your pepper spray, the assailant will normally stop within seconds, blinded and virtually helpless due to uncontrollable coughing spasms. Once the assailant disables, stop spraying. Continue backing and concentrate on getting away!
What are some other good pepper spray technique tips?
If someone is attempting to attack you, always move off the line of force before spraying. Deliver the pepper spray by in a few short bursts of a second or so each in an "X" or "Z" pattern. 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.
Do I need to practice using my pepper spray?
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 weapon. 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.
Is timing important when using pepper spray?
There's much more to using pepper spray than point and shoot! Remember, don't raise, point, and shoot the spray until you're ready to fire. Wait until the assailant 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.
Is Pepper Spray Effective Against Dogs?
Yes, If a dog attacks you, spraying the dog with pepper spray in its face will cause the dog temporary blindness, shortness of breath and a burning sensation until its effect wears off. The dog has no other option but to retreat; allowing you time to get away. If you jog, take walks or ride your bike, then you should carry pepper spray with you. It is lightweight, easily accessible, and will provide fast protection when you need it most.
Exactly how do I spray my pepper spray?
If you have 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. After you have done this MOVE out of the way but keep your eyes on the threat. Pepper spray ingredients 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.
What is a basic pepper spray shooting technique?
When you're ready to shoot the pepper spray, 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, shout "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 shoot toward the assailant's face and head area.
What is fanning my pepper spray?
Fanning is a pepper spray technique for hitting your mark. You spray the stream then move your dispersions path from side to side until yon hit your mark! The stream also provides the heaviest blast of pepper (cans will empty faster).
Is there anyplace where I cannot carry pepper spray?
Yes. You cannot carry any pepper spray on an airplane or in carry-on luggage or in the passenger area. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) allows one Pepper Spray (up to 4 oz) per traveler in your checked luggage only. Never attempt to enter a courthouse, government building or sporting event area with pepper spray.
Should I choose pepper spray or stun gun?
Stun guns and pepper spray both have advantages and disadvantages. A stun gun can only be used at close contact with an attacker, while pepper spray can put a safe distance between you and an attacker (5-10 feet depending on model). Pepper spray must be sprayed in the eyes or inhaled directly to be effective, while stun gun works anywhere on the body. The effectiveness of pepper spray may be affected by wind and rain, and stun gun effectiveness depends on how long you keep the gun on the attacker. It is strongly recommended that you carry both. Do not rely on just one form of defense.
ABOUT STUN GUN
What is a stun gun?
An electroshock weapon that temporarily disables a person with electric shock by contact to clothing or skin used for subduing a person, aimed at disrupting superficial muscle functions.
What are the effects of a stun gun?
The electricity emitted travels through clothing and penetrates the skin. The effects of a stun gun will be the same whether you touch a heavy sweatshirt, a muscular leg, the back of the hand, or anywhere else on your attacker. A stun gun discharge will cause muscles to contract continuously over short period of time followed by disorientation and loss of balance. Discharges of a stun gun 3 to 5 seconds may leave the victim immobilized, dazed, and makes the muscles work very rapidly which results in energy loss for 5 to 15 minutes.
Stunning an attacker's stomach may cause the smooth muscles making up the digestive tract and the urinary bladder to contract causing the attacker to urinate, or defecate upon getting shocked.
Will I be shocked if the attacker touches me when the device is applied?
No! The electrical current is absorbed in the muscles and will not pass through to the user, regardless of the conditions. Even if the assailant is holding you
How do I use a stun gun?
To use a stun gun, hold the electrodes firmly against an attacker. Target an area that is harder and slower to move like the upper shoulder or the upper hip. The arms or hands are not good attack points because they can be moved away too quickly. To completely subdue the attacker, the stun gun must be continuously applied for a few seconds. More time is required if the person is large, or you are using a low voltage model.
What difference does the voltage make?
Generally, the higher the voltage, the quicker the full effect of the stun gun, thus more effective. Besides voltage, the delivery method and the amperage of the charge are also important. A lower voltage stun gun with a better method of delivery may be more effective then the stun gun with higher voltage.
Can a stun gun be fired multiple times?
Yes. A stun gun can be used many times to ward off attackers before the battery needs recharging.
Can I carry a stun gun anywhere?
When traveling, stun guns should be packed in CHECKED luggage only. They are not allowed in terminal areas of any airport, or in any carry-on luggage. Never attempt to enter a courthouse, government building or sporting event area with a stun device.
Should I choose stun gun or pepper spray?
Stun guns and pepper spray both have advantages and disadvantages. A stun gun can only be used at close contact with an attacker, while pepper spray can put a safe distance between you and an attacker (5-10 feet depending on model). Pepper spray must be sprayed in the eyes or inhaled directly to be effective, while stun gun works anywhere on the body. The effectiveness of pepper spray may be affected by wind and rain, and stun gun effectiveness depends on how long you keep the gun on the attacker. It is strongly recommended that you carry both. Do not rely on just one form of defense.
ABOUT TASERS
What is a Taser?
A Taser is a non-lethal self-defense weapon that uses compressed nitrogen to shoot two tethered needle-like probes at an assailant in order to deliver an electric shock.
How does a Taser work?
The probes travel at a speed of 135 feet per second (41 meters per second) with a maximum reach of 15 feet. When the probes attach to the attacker's clothes or skin, an electric shock passes between them, through the body, incapacitating the assailant's neuromuscular system.
What are the effects?
The attacker will lose all control and coordination. The Taser will continue to apply the electrical charge in an auto-timed sequence of an initial charge of several seconds followed by many short bursts. This prevents the assailant from recovering from the initial shock and removing the probes. During this event the user can abandon the Taser on the ground and escape.
What area of the body should I shoot the Taser?
Because the charge passes through the part of the body that is directly located between the two probes, for maximum effectiveness the Taser probes should land with at least a 6-inch \ spread between them. The closer the attacker is to the Taser when it is fired, the closer together the probes will land. Therefore the optimum distance to fire a Taser is between 7-10 feet to give the probes a chance to spread about 16 inches to deliver the greatest possible shock to the body.
Can a Taser cause permanent damage?
A Taser cannot permanently harm the muscles, nerves or heart, nor will it interfere with a pacemaker.
Can I shoot a Taser more than once?
A Taser cartridge only holds one set of probes so once it is fired the spent Taser cartridge must be replaced before it can fire more probes. However, if the user misses the target or if there is more than one assailant, the end of the Taser can be used as a touch stun gun. By pressing the end of the Taser against the attacker or his clothes and discharging it, an electric shock passes into the attacker, incapacitating the person in the same way previously described.
STUN GUN vs TASER
What is the difference between a Stub Gun and a Taser?
A TASER uses a special cartridge of nitrogen gas to shoot a pair of barbed projectiles at the assailant. These projectiles can reach up to fifteen feet away. A pair of wires connects them to the handheld TASER device, which sends a 50,000 volt shock into the attacker. This shock can go through thick clothing or a bullet-proof vest; the projectiles do not need to strike skin in order to work. After the Nitrogen cartridge has been used to propel the projectiles, most newer TASER can still be used close-up, in the same way as a stun gun is used.
A STUN GUN, unlike a TASER, do not fire anything at the attacker. Instead, they must come in direct contact with the person. These handheld units send a jolt of anywhere from 50,000 to a million volts through the assailant’s body upon contact. You will need to be much closer to the assailant than if you were using a TASER device, but they often deliver a higher voltage. Although stun guns usually include two prongs, with sparks going between the two prongs, this feature is mainly to deter attackers without actually having to use the device on them. The actual power comes from the ends of the two prongs.
Summary: The stun gun must be used in close range with the attacker, while the TASER allows for greater distance. Plus, a stun gun can be used repeatedly, while a TASER cannot be shot twice due to its reliance on single-use nitrogen cartridges.