What You Need to Know About Pepper Sprays

Educating yourself about pepper sprays before you purchase a product will help you get the most for your money and defend yourself properly. There are four types of pepper sprays. Each is designed for different circumstances and effectiveness. The types are; Fogger Pepper Sprays, Forced Cone Pepper Sprays, Stream and Broken Stream Pepper Sprays, and Foam Pepper Sprays.

§ A Fogger Pepper Spray is a type of spray pattern that is great for multiple attackers, crowd control, bears and home use. It works like a fire extinguisher. Pulling the pin activates the fogger pepper spray and it is used in a fanning pattern which sweeps the fog over an attacker. It has one disadvantage. There can be some blow-back of pepper contaminating you, especially if used outdoors. The blast from a fogger pepper spray that you would receive is different from the blast that an attacker receives. Your blast would make you tear and cough and the attacker's blast would render him incapacitated for about 30 minutes. The pepper spray works instantly. Causes the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, and shortness of breath.

§ A Forced Cone Pepper Spray is a variation on the popular cone type and is the best in most situations. It is a fine mist that comes out in a forceful spray pattern usually at distances from 8 to 12 feet. The mist is made up of super-fine droplets of pepper solution. These droplets help to minimize blow-back of pepper spray formula on you while the mist penetrates the attacker's pores and mucous membranes. This pattern spreads out to a width about 2 feet maximum distance. This pattern covers the whole face and is absorbed into the mucus membrane. The pepper causes the eyes to close with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, and shortness of breath.

§ A Broken-Stream Pepper Spray is very effective for use against multiple attackers. The stream is solid like that coming from a water gun and would be an ideal attack tool used from the cracked window of a vehicle... The solid stream will blast an attacker with pepper and the stream provides the heaviest blast of pepper spray. This means that a stream canister pepper spray will empty much more quickly than the other types available.

§ A Foam Pepper Spray is a product that is great for immediate saturation. There is very little blowing back on to the user of the foam which makes it ideal for windy weather. The pepper foam works instantly. It is similar to a thick sticky shaving cream that causes the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run, coughing and shortness of breath.

The strongest concentrations are 15% active ingredients and rated at 2 million scoville heat units. The high scoville heat rating is more important than the percentage of pepper spray ingredients. Educate yourself before purchasing pepper sprays. Some states require special permits to purchase and carry pepper sprays. Laws regarding pepper sprays can be found at www.AttackBusters.com