The Philippines has a relatively high crime rate and with this information it is important to have Self-Defense items in your bags especially on daily commutes!
Benefits of Carrying Pepper Spray
Whether you're a woman walking alone, an elder person or live in a rough neighborhood, pepper sprays are handy to have around. It's a sufficient non-lethal weapon to have when you are by yourself. It is an invaluable instrument of self-defense. It's always beneficial to carry pepper spray cans especially if you have late night commutes all by yourself. You can keep it in your car too.
Pepper spray inflames the mucous membranes of the attacker's eyes, nose, throat and lungs. This causes the attacker to instantly close the eyes and be temporarily blinded by the sudden onslaught. Attackers encounter breathing problems as the pepper spray is extremely pungent. The effects usually lasts 30 minutes or so, depending on its potency. But it's in the first few seconds that you can make your escape to safety. It's a great self-defense weapon because it immediately incapacitates your attacker, letting you to run for cover.
Barring a few locations, pepper sprays are perfectly legal in most countries. You may just have to do a quick check to find out where it's restricted. But one thing is for sure, having pepper spray in your purse is a comfortable thought. It has saved lives and mishaps of the worst kind.
Pepper sprays can be quite inexpensive. But they are worth it. Plus, they are simple to operate. Anybody who has used aerosols will know how to use them. Also they are convenient to carry easily in your purse, pocket or jacket. They even come disguised as lipsticks, rings and fresheners. It's a great bit of equipment to own that will keep you safe in case you need to use it.
Pepper sprays come in different sizes and potency. You can enjoy safer morning walks, nightly jogging or hazardous commutes with confidence. This simple apparatus will allow you to deal with emergencies and violent acts with courage and determination-never let anyone get the better of you.
Pepper spray is an aerosol that contains capsaicin, the ingredient that causes the heat in hot peppers. Capsaicin is a skin irritant to humans and animals and causes severe burning on contact. When capsaicin is mixed with propellant and placed in an aerosol container, it can be sprayed on an assailant in self-defense, allowing you the opportunity to escape. Depending on the type you use, the spray is released as a mist, fog, or stream. Most pepper sprays have a spray range of up to ten feet, although some long-range brands spray up to 30 feet.
Some people confuse pepper spray with mace. One reason is because Mace is a brand name that produces pepper spray products. Mace is a chemical irritant similar to tear gas, but it does not incapacitate a person to the extent that pepper spray does, especially if someone is under the influence of drugs or intoxicated.
Tips for Use
Retired Sheriff Lenny Millholland from Winchester, Virginia, a law enforcement officer with over 37 years of experience, offers the following tips for using pepper spray:
- Use downwind.
- Don't let the suspect get within arms' reach. Keep them at bay.
- Once you spray the assailant or animal, turn and run, and don't look back until you are away from the threat. Take the pepper spray canister with you.
- Use in the face area -- eyes, nose and mouth.
- Don't spray it close enough that it blows back on you.
- Make sure you know in advance the distance the spray will squirt.
- If you get the spray in your eyes, or you're a victim of being sprayed, try washing your eyes with milk or sour cream.
"The best defense is awareness," says Sheriff Millholland. "Be aware of your surroundings and don't walk anywhere at night by yourself. [If you're attacked], yell like your life depends on it. It just might. But remember, you have to have contact to get physical. With pepper spray, you don't."
Sheriff Millholland suggests pepper spray users also consider carrying wasp and hornet spray for self-defense. "It squirts 20 plus feet and will cause a blinding effect," he explains. "It works on all animals too. The bottom line is you want to render the assailant immobile long enough to get away."
Keep distance between you and the attacker, if possible.
- Aim the spray at the eyes and face then spray 1 to 2 second bursts. (Do not fully extend your hand – they may grab).
- MOVE out of the way but watch their reaction to see if you need they need another shot
- RUN
What does Pepper Spray do to the attacker? At up to 8 feet away, you will:
- Swell your attackers mucous membranes - making it difficult for them to breath
- Swell the veins in the eyes - causing the eyes to close
Pepper spray is a convenient, effective method of self-defense. Like any weapon, it's important to familiarize yourself with its safety and understand applicable laws. Says Sheriff Millholland, "You never know when you will be in a position that you need to have that little bit of defense to fend off a bad guy or girl. Pepper spray is a beneficial self-defense weapon."
