Pepper Spray Best for Personal Defense?
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I forget which book I read this in, but one source suggested Fox Labs and Sabre Red as the top two.
--DB, who is *not* signing up to be downrange of these things even in training, no way no how...
--DB, who is *not* signing up to be downrange of these things even in training, no way no how...
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Check the container and/or paperwork. I remember reading my first MACE can and calling the company about it. At that time, they said that the issue was possible interactions that made the chemical possibly less usee friendly. I really didn't have an issue with that. The pressure finally leaked out.
If I'm reading the can of my issue stuff correctly, it's good for about 5 years. Our stuff has so many stickers (unit numbers, MSDS labels, etc) plastered over the factory stuff it's impossible to read that brand, hard to read the made date.
Force Science Institute had a recent thing where they mention a controlled condition study that found any/all sprays only 48% effective if the subject had reached a combative state prior to being sprayed.
What I recall from classes is that the effectiveness is due to the total Schoville Heat Units of the the stuff, not specific percentage of pepper essence. So a 3% spray of stuff with very high SHU rating can trump 10% of something less "spicy".
If I'm reading the can of my issue stuff correctly, it's good for about 5 years. Our stuff has so many stickers (unit numbers, MSDS labels, etc) plastered over the factory stuff it's impossible to read that brand, hard to read the made date.
Force Science Institute had a recent thing where they mention a controlled condition study that found any/all sprays only 48% effective if the subject had reached a combative state prior to being sprayed.
What I recall from classes is that the effectiveness is due to the total Schoville Heat Units of the the stuff, not specific percentage of pepper essence. So a 3% spray of stuff with very high SHU rating can trump 10% of something less "spicy".
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2,627 Posts
Don't really know about the "best" brand of pepper spray. Our issue stuff is Freeze +P. It works.
The whole problem with it in my experience is that while it certainly can be effective at slowing down or stopping a person bent on aggressive action, the distances at which these confrontations usually happen, along with other conditions, tends to...well, let's say spread the effects of the spray among others than the intended target.
I have used, or been present during the use of pepper spray, when the good guys suffered from the effects almost as much as the bad guys.
Nature of the beast. Although directed in stream, it doesn't all stay concentrated in the face of the target. It atomizes, gets in surrounding air, and anyone close by can feel the effects to some degree...burning, watery eyes, mucus flow, coughing...especially in a closed space.
Not an indictment of the product. But like most "weapons" in the defensive tool box, it has it's down side. And if you or yours carries it, you should be aware of them.
The whole problem with it in my experience is that while it certainly can be effective at slowing down or stopping a person bent on aggressive action, the distances at which these confrontations usually happen, along with other conditions, tends to...well, let's say spread the effects of the spray among others than the intended target.
I have used, or been present during the use of pepper spray, when the good guys suffered from the effects almost as much as the bad guys.
Nature of the beast. Although directed in stream, it doesn't all stay concentrated in the face of the target. It atomizes, gets in surrounding air, and anyone close by can feel the effects to some degree...burning, watery eyes, mucus flow, coughing...especially in a closed space.
Not an indictment of the product. But like most "weapons" in the defensive tool box, it has it's down side. And if you or yours carries it, you should be aware of them.
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To ALL,
I found a can of BEAR STOP spray at an Austin, TX gunshow & it works on BEARS, ATTACK DOGS & PEOPLE too.
(Mace & tear gas do NOT work on animals.)
Let me give everybody some advice: Do NOT spray it into the wind, as you will be REALLY SORRY for a long time, as just one of its components is the FIERY stuff from SCOTCH BONNET PEPPERS.
yours, sw
I found a can of BEAR STOP spray at an Austin, TX gunshow & it works on BEARS, ATTACK DOGS & PEOPLE too.
(Mace & tear gas do NOT work on animals.)
Let me give everybody some advice: Do NOT spray it into the wind, as you will be REALLY SORRY for a long time, as just one of its components is the FIERY stuff from SCOTCH BONNET PEPPERS.
yours, sw
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That video reminds me of the old story about the ranger who was briefing hikers about bears in a national park.
"Your best bet is not to surprise the bear. Wear bells and make noise. As a last resort, carry pepper spray."
"Look for the warning signs of bears in the area: footprints, matted bedding areas, and scat. Black bear scat is generally small, and contains things like berries and seeds. It has very little odor. Grizzly bear scat is generally quite large, contains bones, fur, bits of shredded clothing, and bells. It may smell like pepper spray."
"Your best bet is not to surprise the bear. Wear bells and make noise. As a last resort, carry pepper spray."
"Look for the warning signs of bears in the area: footprints, matted bedding areas, and scat. Black bear scat is generally small, and contains things like berries and seeds. It has very little odor. Grizzly bear scat is generally quite large, contains bones, fur, bits of shredded clothing, and bells. It may smell like pepper spray."
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:thumbsup::rotflmao:
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Oh no, now we are into Black Bear vs. Grizzly stories!
If you are running from a bear and climb a large tree, a Black bear will climb up after you. A Grizzly will just cut the tree down with it's claws.
Geoff
Who has heard many, seen one, a Wildlife vid on one of the Discovery channel shows, long range Griz shots, but the closeup was of cute little black bear cubs.
If you are running from a bear and climb a large tree, a Black bear will climb up after you. A Grizzly will just cut the tree down with it's claws.
Geoff
Who has heard many, seen one, a Wildlife vid on one of the Discovery channel shows, long range Griz shots, but the closeup was of cute little black bear cubs.
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To ALL,
BEAR STOP was originally manufactured for Alaska Game Wardens, as a NON-lethal defense against GRIZZLIES.
IF you get it on YOU, you'll wish that you had been mauled by the bear, long before the pain lessens..
(I actually KNOW that FACT of personal knowledge. It swells the eyes CLOSED & makes you wish that you hadn't breathed even once. - The wind changed on me, while trying to deter an aggressive Rottweiler from latching onto my tender bod. = That awful stuff STOPPED both of us in our tracks.)
yours, sw
BEAR STOP was originally manufactured for Alaska Game Wardens, as a NON-lethal defense against GRIZZLIES.
IF you get it on YOU, you'll wish that you had been mauled by the bear, long before the pain lessens..
(I actually KNOW that FACT of personal knowledge. It swells the eyes CLOSED & makes you wish that you hadn't breathed even once. - The wind changed on me, while trying to deter an aggressive Rottweiler from latching onto my tender bod. = That awful stuff STOPPED both of us in our tracks.)
yours, sw
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csmkersh,
Inasmuch as it would be hard to tell whether the dog or I was SICKER afterwards, I wish that I had shot him with my P225.
I was still sick & my eye was still swelled SHUT 16 hours later.
yours, sw
Inasmuch as it would be hard to tell whether the dog or I was SICKER afterwards, I wish that I had shot him with my P225.
I was still sick & my eye was still swelled SHUT 16 hours later.
yours, sw
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