Any insights on pepper spray?

[Dan in MI]

Brands, potency, etc...

I’m going to start researching, but I could use a head start. My daughter needs something handy fairly quickly.

Thanks

 

[s4s4u]

For bears, or for people?

 

[Dan in MI]

Not bears.....

 

[s4s4u]

Not bears.....

I would think more towards simplicity and ease of execution, over potency, but am no eggspurt on the subject.

Just like carrying a gun, it does little good at the bottom of a purse.

 

[kmoore]

When I carried it, I believe it was 1% in a 2oz can. Training was 1 man, 1 can when spraying an attacker. We were only issued the spray form. I used many cans, 1 man at a time. It will prevent many from continuing an attack if they get a good shot in the eyes.
Training how to use it is as important as firearms training when carrying a handgun.
A few quick tips: Spray in a moving S pattern, not starting at the face, above it and start the S high and move downward. The spray will drift down and outwards.
Don't walk/move closer toward attacker if spray is used. Backup fast. Or you might get your own spray in your eyes. If winds are blowing in your face so will some spray. Don't use it indoors.
So with 1% of OC in a can, what's the rest of the stuff you spray.
It's the propellent.
The propellent does nothing to the attacker. Keep the propellent and OC mixed well, shake the can maybe weekly.
Distance makes a difference also how well it works. 5 feet or so is better than 1 foot. At 5 feet, you likely will get more OC on target than at 1 ft again because of the propellent.

 

[3manfan]

I've been carrying POM ever since I retired from the P.D. Haven't had to actually use it yet but one persistant homeless beggar almost got it last year. Reports I've seen of POM being used were all success stories.

Not every altercation requires a handgun & the aftermath of shooting someone is a legal nightmare, so I have no compunction about giving someone the hot sauce if warranted to end their hostilities.

I carry this one in my front pocket. It has a spring loaded cap protecting the go button:

https://a.co/d/cTygqYP

 

[twriggen]

I can't help much with advice but can share a funny story regarding Bear Spray.

My uncle worked as a Wrangler in the Teton National Park many, many years ago. Bear spray was at that time a very new item and it was decided that the park was going to make a presentation to the Park and Concession employees on its use and effectiveness. They had an accidental discharge in The Lodge where they were presenting, and it got into the ventilation system. My uncle said that a lot of nonbelievers were convinced that day.

 

[protoolman]

Don't get the little skinny can get the one as round as a fifty cent piece. The switch should be a press top you push down after sliding your finger under a flapper. Two kinds of streams straight and come. The cone mists better and empties the can way faster. That's what you want.Pretend you're spray painting his eyes or nose. Hold switch down give them a good 3 second blast don't let up. Run away I guarantee they can't follow. 10% oc or a blend with some cs. 1% is bear spray they are more sensitive. Some states sell 5% to civilians & 10% to cops but most now will sell anybody 10%. Sabre, smith&Wesson, some others all pretty good. Some dyes your face red or yellow makes no difference to me but might identify attacker to police. Throw can away every 2 years. It will plug or dry up. Use old can to see how far it shoots etc. I used to train police on oc. The size can I'm talking about should run 12 to 18 dollars. Check the date when you buy some gun shops let it sit for 10 years. Buy newest you can find.

 

[vito]

I wonder how long the little cannisters last, and will still work. I carry a Sabre pepper spray when walking my dogs at the community college bike path near my home, since carrying a firearm on the school's property is illegal. The device I carry is a few years old and has never been "fired".

 

[kmoore]

I wonder how long the little cannisters last, and will still work. I carry a Sabre pepper spray when walking my dogs at the community college bike path near my home, since carrying a firearm on the school's property is illegal. The device I carry is a few years old and has never been "fired".

We tossed ours if it was 2 years old and not used. I brought some of the tossed cans home. Somewhere in the 5 years mark they were all failing. It was it caked up (remember I said shake the can) Sometimes a small bit would spray other times nothing. The information was the OC caked up in bottom and the spray was just propellant if the can sprayed.

 

[pyth0n]

I've been carrying POM ever since I retired from the P.D. Haven't had to actually use it yet but one persistant homeless beggar almost got it last year. Reports I've seen of POM being used were all success stories.

Not every altercation requires a handgun & the aftermath of shooting someone is a legal nightmare, so I have no compunction about giving someone the hot sauce if warranted to end their hostilities.

I carry this one in my front pocket. It has a spring loaded cap protecting the go button:

https://a.co/d/cTygqYP

Did you carry POM when you were on duty or just after retirement? If on duty is it what the department issued /recommended after convincing evaluation or reputation?

 

[Taterman]

Is the propellant used in them CO2? In my air rifles, the pressure drops way down when it gets below 70 degrees or so.

 

[rkrcpa]

I've been using Counter Assault since the 80's

https://counterassault.com/

 

[3manfan]

Did you carry POM when you were on duty or just after retirement? If on duty is it what the department issued /recommended after convincing evaluation or reputation?

No, my Dept. was one of the few that has never used OC. due to the risk of cross contamination during use of force incidents involving multiple officers. They said they studied it when considering approving its use & found too many reports from other agencies wherein a single officer would inadvertently spray other officers while attempting to spray a combative suspect. I did my own research after retirement & decided the POM unit that I've linked above checked all of the boxes for me. I called the company to discuss the longevity of that unit without discharge & the tech recommended replacement every 2 years.

 

[pyth0n]

No, my Dept. was one of the few that has never used OC. due to the risk of cross contamination during use of force incidents involving multiple officers. They said they studied it when considering approving its use & found too many reports from other agencies wherein a single officer would inadvertently spray other officers while attempting to spray a combative suspect. I did my own research after retirement & decided the POM unit that I've linked above checked all of the boxes for me. I called the company to discuss the longevity of that unit without discharge & the tech recommended replacement every 2 years.

Thanks. POM was one of three that I saw rated as the best.

 

[CentralFLMike]

As a LEO, I've carried Freeze+P, made by Aerko International for almost 30 years. I've never had it not work in an estimated 100 uses. Your mileage may vary.

Freeze+P

 

[Dan in MI]

Thank you all.

This has been a quick education. I ordered some Fox5.3 off Amazon for quick acquisition, but am looking for Freeze +p based on a friend’s recommendation. (a cop)

 

[WanderLust]

As a former fireman, let me throw out some advice we learned using a fire extinguisher. Unless you’ve actually sprayed an extinguisher, you’re guessing on the following:
1. How far it sprays?
2. How long it lasts from start to emptied
3. Does wind direction affect the spray?
4. How much arc will the spray have?
5. How much pressure is needed to fire?
6. Where to aim?
7. Can you see the spray in low light?
8. Should you avoid breathing right after you spray someone?
9. Is there enough for a repeat or 2nd target?
Advice: similar to an extinguisher, you need to pop some tops and practice with some actual sprays. Real-life scenario is NOT the time to learn how it works!

 

[blume357]

Sabrer Gel is what I carry on Sundays at the recommendation from a Sheep Dog seminar. Aerosols are a bad idea inside.

 

[eveled]

I like the idea of a sticky gel better than a floating mist.

 

[Fox Mike]

A lot like drinking out of a stream; make sure you are upstream of the herd, so make sure you are upwind of the spray.

 

[rcs9250]

The OP’s post is of course directed towards being out in public with a container conducive to being discreet and not too big. I recently read an article about someone that had a conversation with their local police chief if I recall. The conversation was for home use as opposed to out in public. His recommendation was wasp, yellow jacket, hornet spray and keep it handy near your front door or some other good place that’s handy at a moments notice. The benefit is that it shoots an excellent stream, depending on the brand, 15’- 25’. Pepper sprays and the such can be treated with water to stop the burn, wasp, yellow jacket, hornet spray requires a visit to the ER to stop its effects. And hopefully they get arrested there should they run off. Less lethal but very effective.

 

[tazbigdog]

Depends on what spray you’ll want/need (stream, fine mist, foam, etc.), how large a container, etc. I got my wife a small, pink one for her purse. When I'm backpacking, bear spray in a vest pouch. Big can.

 

[neilin]

Brands, potency, etc...

I’m going to start researching, but I could use a head start. My daughter needs something handy fairly quickly.

Thanks

The heading says pepper spray. It is hard to aim. The wind blows it back on the sprayer.

 

[454Redhawk]

I carried OC for 20+ years on the street. We used several different brands and I found through personal experience that a fog or cone pattern is the easiest to hit your target with. My favorite of all the ones that we were issued is FOX. It's 4% OC and I guarantee it will set them on fire. Here's a link to Amazon.
https://a.co/d/8Pc6pzj

 

[neilin]

Depends on what spray you’ll want/need (stream, fine mist, foam, etc.), how large a container, etc. I got my wife a small, pink one for her purse. When I'm backpacking, bear spray in a vest pouch. Big can.

Good luck. I think a pistol would be more effective in a defensive situation.

 

[neilin]

I carried OC for 20+ years on the street. We used several different brands and I found through personal experience that a fog or cone pattern is the easiest to hit your target with. My favorite of all the ones that we were issued is FOX. It's 4% OC and I guarantee it will set them on fire. Here's a link to Amazon.
https://a.co/d/8Pc6pzj

They can still fight and cause harm. But if it works for you, that is good.

 

[neilin]

A lot like drinking out of a stream; make sure you are upstream of the herd, so make sure you are upwind of the spray.

So, tell the adversary ahead of time, where to stand when you spray, so it does not come back on you?

 

[neilin]

As a LEO, I've carried Freeze+P, made by Aerko International for almost 30 years. I've never had it not work in an estimated 100 uses. Your mileage may vary.

Freeze+P

It may at that, mostly depends on the situations.

 

[Dan in MI]

Good luck. I think a pistol would be more effective in a defensive situation.

Yeah, perfect for someone unfamiliar with firearms.....