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Pepper Spray And Mace

Mace is a non-lethal spray that can temporarily blind and choke an attacker. Pepper spray is a liquid form of hot peppers (not peppers) that has been dispensed from aerosol cans for at least 50 years. In recent years, pepper spray has become more popular as a self-defense tool, with safety and efficacy being touted by the manufacturers of such products. However, there are still some concerns about the effectiveness of mace and pepper spray.

What are the effects of pepper spray?

Pepper spray can cause severe eye, nose and throat irritation, along with fluid buildup in the lungs and possibly respiratory failure. A person who is sprayed may suffer from nausea, diarrhea, scattered heartbeats and mild central nervous system stimulation. It takes a while to get used to the effects – mace is generally more effective once the spray has been in contact with the skin for several minutes.

How long does pepper spray take to have an effect?

The length of time for effects to occur can vary, depending on the pepper spray product and the size of the person exposed. The effects are almost immediate with some mace products. In most cases, the effects wear off in about 15 minutes.

What kinds of people is pepper spray effective against?

Generally speaking, could be more effective against groups than individuals. Some manufacturers claim that pepper spray is effective against up to 98% of assailants, whereas other types of pepper spray can only be used by one person. In general, mace is more effective against lower body parts than higher ones. Many users report that the effects are worse the first time and tend to get less severe with each use.

How does pepper spray compare to mace?

They often cause similar effects – all types of pepper sprays can temporarily blind and/or cause pain with repeated exposure, but pain is usually temporary.

What are the advantages of pepper spray?

· Pepper spray is a non-lethal weapon that can be taken anywhere. Mace is a good alternative to firearms, which are often illegal or difficult to carry.

· Pepper spray can be effective at blinding the assailant and causing them to flee for up to 45 minutes.

· It is not considered a lethal weapon, so an attacker does not have to be killed or seriously injured in order for it to be used as a self-defense tool.

· Pepper spray can be used in a crowd, unlike mace.

· Some pepper sprays can be used underwater.

· In the hands of a trained user, pepper spray may be more effective than mace.

What are the disadvantages of pepper spray?

· It is not effective against all assailants (see above). It is not considered a lethal weapon. Consequently, it has to be sprayed several times on each individual assailant in order to ensure that they do not become seriously injured or killed.

· It is not always effective when the person being sprayed is drunk or on drugs.

· The effects are not immediate – it takes a few minutes to get used to the spray, and the effects generally last for about 15 minutes. This gives the assailant plenty of time to flee, unless there are others around to help.

· You must re-apply pepper spray if you need to use it again. Full protection from assailants may not be guaranteed in all circumstances (see above).

· It can be difficult to determine exactly where you should spray. If the person being sprayed is wearing heavy clothing, it may be more difficult for the spray to enter the skin.

· People with sensitive eyes and lungs cannot use pepper spray. In addition, pepper spray must not be used in the presence of people who have asthma or other respiratory problems. Repeated exposure can result in coughing, wheezing and even temporary blindness.

· Individuals who have just been sprayed may be temporarily blinded and unable to locate the spray canister in order to retrieve it. The assailant may take the spray canister as a trophy.

· Pepper spray is expensive and not widely available. Most pepper sprays use a small aerosol can that contains between five and six one-second bursts of pepper spray, along with the propellant liquid. A large canister that offers more coverage costs about twice as much as a small one. Some pepper sprays have to be replaced after use, and others cannot be refilled.

· It is not legal in some jurisdictions, and it is difficult to obtain if you do not live in another country. This restricts the choice of products that are available.

What are the disadvantages of mace?

· Mace can cause blindness because it contains chloroacetophenone which can irritate the eyes or cause permanent vision loss if it comes into contact with them or is taken orally or injected.

· Studies have shown that when mace is sprayed directly into the face it can cause significant damage to the eyes. The effects are short-lived, however. It is not considered a lethal weapon and it does not generally have to be used more than once in order to achieve the desired effect.

· Some people report that they suffer from an adverse reaction to mace when they use it for self-defense purposes, such as burning eyes or skin lesions.

Conclusion

The truth is that no matter what self-defense product you use, it is not going to be effective in all situation. Even the best defense weapon may fail if your assailant is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, pepper spray and mace are generally more effective than guns and even knives in a self-defense situation. They can cause temporary blindness, pain and discomfort for the assailant long enough to enable you to escape or help others escape from an assailant who has threatened you.