Helpful Hints On How To Properly Use Your Pepper Spray

Sometimes, a simple self defense device is the only thing that saves you from harm in the event of a confrontation with an attacker. Pepper spray is one of the most popular and easy to use devices for self defense and while it can stun or temporarily debilitate someone, it is not ultimately life threatening. You will discover that pepper spray can be found to fit on your keychain or even in a special pouch which you could put in a pocket or purse.

For the majority of individuals, being sprayed in the eyes and face with pepper spray can be quite painful. These days, the spray is made from the natural chemicals in peppers which provide the heat factor. Because the face has many sensitive areas such as the mucosal membranes inside the nose as well as sensitive, moist eyes, pepper spray can be quite effective. Just imagine your eyes swelling shut and tearing up causing a temporary blindness. This can buy a few precious moments to escape just as can the choking and coughing it causes.

There is more to the pepper spray than just pointing and shooting it at your attacker. You have to learn how to aim properly as well as assess the immediate environment to determine just how to disperse the pepper spray and when. For example, if it is raining or windy outside, chances are the pepper spray is not going to find its intended facial target readily.

What you do not want to do is extend your arms fully with the pepper spray at the ready. A full arm extension means you are that much closer to the potential assailant and they could easy grab the pepper spray out of your hands and use it against you. With your arm all the way out, you do not have as much control. Bend your arm a bit and then blast the perpetrator with the pepper spray.

When you partially stick out your arm with the pepper spray, give the potential assailant a final warning not to approach you; yell "Stop." If they do not stop, aim for the face in short two or three second bursts in a tight pattern. This movement ensures that the majority of the perpetrator's face is affected by the pepper sprays' effects. And whatever you do, when you aim and spray, keep your eyes open so you can see where you are aiming!

It is also important to practicing aiming your pepper spray. Set up targets on trees in your yard and practice pulling the spray out of your purse, pocket, and key chain or wherever you plan to store it on your person. You want the movements to feel second nature. Keep in mind you will likely go through a few canisters of pepper spray during practice because you want to ensure that you can hit your targets. Place the targets at varying levels so that you can aim for the height of your potential attacker.

The type of pepper spray you get can also play a part in how well your spraying performance is affected. For instance, a regular spray type of canister needs to be held upright in order for it to work and the wind could easily carry away the stream of pepper spray. However, with a pepper foam spray, this increases weight, meaning what you spray will stick around longer and longer because of its thick viscosity. Even in windy conditions, the pepper foam usually finds its mark. To go a step further, some pepper sprays include a special dye which makes retreating assailants easy for cops to spot once they have been sprayed.

Personal safety is important and pepper sprays are a great self defense tool to carry around with you. Be sure to always follow the instructions on the pepper sprays and avoid getting sprayed in the course of defending yourself.