Doctors and law enforcement input especially appreciated here: What is the best kind of self defense spray?

[grue 1]

Pepper based? CN? CS? A specific brand or model would be great.

One of my very best friends is transferring to a big city school and is convinced she needs some kind of self defense spray, so I offered to look into the situation for her.

cavete terrae.

[akarunway 1]

CC

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[akjmpplt 0]

IF she is going to carry something I would recommend pepper spray. I also recommend that she get some formal training in it's use, including being sprayed so that she'll know what it's like. If you use it on the street you are going to end up getting hit with it....good to know before hand what it is like.

FYI, there isn't a legal spray on the market that is going to stop someone that really, truly wants to hurt you.

SmugMug

[Clownburner 0]

A self-defense class would be an invaluable addition to any kind of weapon or spray.

7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez
"I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

[Broke 0]

I am not sure if it is leagle where she is, but she should get the peper spray foam. Even if her assailant is wearing glasses they'll still get an eyefull.

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[mjosparky 4]

Glock .40 cal. Just spray the area.

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[piisfish 140]

FI

stands for latin : Fartum Intensum

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[freeflir29 0]

Here's a good page to explain how the labeling system works and how "strength" is determined.

www.zarc.com/english/other_sprays/oc_strength/oc_concentration.html



That being said........I have been sprayed with some pretty hot stuff as part of training. I found that it took probably 30 seconds or more for any sort of real pain to set in. Even after it did I was still perfectly able to function and "Stay in the fight." In other words.....it's merely PART of the self defense solution just like an ASP, Surefire Flashlight, or even a gun. 90% of self defense is AVOIDING the problem in the first place and even when it can't be avoided completely giving yourself the tactical advantage to either escape or win the fight.


This product is FAR more effective in actually stopping an assailant. Even more effective at close range than most firearms. However you most certainly need PROPER TRAINING in order to use it effectively. It's also a bit expensive.

www.tbotech.com/advancedtaser.htm


If she is worried about her physical security she needs training. Call the local police station and ask about self defense classes tailored for women. There are many out there and I'm sure they could reccomend a reputable local provider.

[Genego 2]

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I am not sure if it is leagle where she is, but she should get the peper spray foam. Even if her assailant is wearing glasses they'll still get an eyefull.

I've seen people scrape off pepper foam and throw it back at the sprayer. One of the reasons that I don't use it.

I live with fear and terror, but sometimes I leave her and go skydiving.

[stitch 0]

RAID followed by Hot-Dog tongs to the groin..........least thats what Betsy says.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[Peej 0]

That's funny

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[AggieDave 6]

I've been sprayed with 18% OC. That SUCKED. I could still fight (we had to demonstrate that) but I couldn't see and it hurt BAD.

Now, what you buy and the legality of buying it and/or carrying it is you're deal.

Also, not everyone is effected by OC, some people can spray it on their food and eat it. It doesn't effect them in the least.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[waltappel 1]

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Glock .40 cal. Just spray the area.

One well-placed shot will do.
Walt

[squirrel 0]

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Glock .40 cal. Just spray the area.

One well-placed shot will do.
Walt

yeah, but what do you do with the other remaining 15 rounds? gotta have some fun once in a while.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[Slappie 9]

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Doctors and law enforcement input especially appreciated here: What is the best kind of self defense spray?

The spray from a Mossberg 12ga.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[Deuce 1]

The problem with pepper spray is the delay of onset. It can be several seconds. The advantage to it is it also works on animals. Mace is much faster. (CS)

Mace does not stop dogs. It bugs them, but pepper spray will deter them.

Look, the best defense is to not be where the crime occurs. I'm licensed to carry in Ca. (there's about 9 of us). If friends invite me to go to an event, and then ask me to make sure I bring a pistol, I'm not going. It's one thing to be prepared for the unexpected, it's a whole nother thing to put yourself at risk on purpose because you have a "weapon".

Mace and pepper spray are both available over the counter in CA and don't require training or any other certification.

There is a product out there that is a combination of both and is very effective. The advantage to pepper spray is that it is easier to wash off. Mace is a gift that keeps on giving.

[mnealtx 0]

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Mace is a gift that keeps on giving.

And giving, and giving....

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[NWFlyer 2]

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It's one thing to be prepared for the unexpected, it's a whole nother thing to put yourself at risk on purpose because you have a "weapon".

Thanks for that reminder, Deuce. I've lived in several large cities as a single woman, and I think it's really a matter of making smart choices. I've never carried any type of "weapon" with me.

... make smart transportation choices depending on the time of night. Living in NY, I'd take the subway during the day/early evening; coming home late at night I'd make sure to take a bus (better lighting, regular stops generally right next to my apartment, easy access to the driver and his/her communication tools) or cab.

... travel in groups. Get a trusted friend to walk you to your car/house/etc. Take advantage of security guards ... I worked at a hospital in a pretty sketchy part of LA once, and the security guards were always happy to walk out to the parking garage with you after hours.

... don't get into situations where alcohol will inhibit your ability to take care of yourself. Have a plan before you start drinking, not after.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[SWATcop 0]

I am not a big fan of Sprays. They don't work on all people, even law enforcement grade sprays. Some people it just pisses them off and makes them fight harder.

Kevin

Muff Brother #4041
Team Dirty Sanchez #467

[bmcd308 0]

Go for maximum SHU (Scoville Heat Units). The % really determines how long it lasts, while the SHU determines how "hot" it is.

Go for at least 1 million SHUs. If the mfg does not tell how many SHUs, it means they are selling you crap and hope you do not know better. This is far more common than you would think.

My brand of choice is Fox Labs. It is good stuff.

Brent

EDIT: Proof that I do not make this stuff up, but rather steal it from others
http://www.tacticalresponse.com/media/articles/pepper.php

----------------------------------
www.jumpelvis.com

[JohnRich 4]

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One of my very best friends is transferring to a big city school and is convinced she needs some kind of self defense spray...

I assume you're talking about an adult teacher or something, and not a student.

With the zero tolerance policies for weapons, a student would surely be kicked out and sent to alternative school with all the trouble makers, for daring to be able to defend herself.

I don't know if those same policies apply to adults. At any rate, she should probably keep it hidden in her purse, and not tell anyone else she has it.

[Scoop 0]

Pepper spray is awesome for individual confrontation. CS is, however, much better if confronted with a group or crowd. One officer used 1 small can of CS to gain control of over 20 football trouble makers fighting on a station platform

[AggieDave 6]

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Go for maximum SHU (Scoville Heat Units). The % really determines how long it lasts, while the SHU determines how "hot" it is.

How long it lasts is also important, it gives you time to restrain the person, then start decontamination.

I was sprayed with MK-4, I *think* (if I remember correctly) that it was around 3.8million SHU.

Its important to remember that if you spray, you'll be effected as well. Even just a bit. Especially when you go hands on to apply the restraints.

Man, that afternoon I "got" to get my exposure was one different day. After initial decontamination I rode my motorcycle home, man that wind felt good. I was smart enough to wash my face and hair VERY VERY well with my head over the tub before getting into the shower, though. Thats all I needed was some "runoff" to places lower than my face.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Deuce 1]

We're talking citizen self-defense here. Not detaining a suspect.

"Spray and run away": citizens.

"Season and tenderize": cops.

Alternatively, "Blind them and beat them", "Scuffle and cuffle", "Application of the habeus grabbus", and "Hook'm & book'm"

Citizens can arrest somebody for an offense that warranted a self defense spray, but that's stupid. Just get out of there uninjured and call the cops.

[grue 1]

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One of my very best friends is transferring to a big city school and is convinced she needs some kind of self defense spray...

I assume you're talking about an adult teacher or something, and not a student.

With the zero tolerance policies for weapons, a student would surely be kicked out and sent to alternative school with all the trouble makers, for daring to be able to defend herself.

I don't know if those same policies apply to adults. At any rate, she should probably keep it hidden in her purse, and not tell anyone else she has it.

University student. It should be attached to her keys, actually. If it's not accessible, it's not useful.

cavete terrae.