Which type of Pepper Spray is Best

Hopefully you won’t find yourself in a position where you would need to protect yourself from an assault, however, assault happens every day, and many people choose to carry some sort of self defense product. Many choose pepper spray, but with the broad selection of pepper spray products on the market, it becomes difficult choosing which one is right for you.

Pepper spray is made from oleoresin capsicum (OC), is a reddish-orange, oily liquid, that is actually a derivative of hot peppers and insoluble in water.  This compound is extremely painful when it comes into contact with skin, eyes and mucous membranes. It makes an effective way to deter a physical attack, be it human or an aggressive dog.   The effects of pepper spray are non-lethal but instantaneous and can last up to 45 minutes, with lingering effects up to three days.

There are a variety of pepper sprays that you can buy as a personal defense weapon. Basically there are five types of pepper spray products: forced cone, fogger, stream, gel and foam.  Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and knowing the difference will assist you in figuring out which will be most suitable for your needs.

Forced Cone Pepper spray
Most of the smaller 1/2 oz. personal size pepper sprays are forced cone sprays. The spray pattern is circular and covers a width of about two feet; approximately the size of a human head. The disadvantage of using a spray is blowback. Blowback is when you spray your defense spray directly into the wind defending yourself and it blows on you or others contaminating both you and others in the area. Forced cone is best for most situations, it’s easy to carry, easy to use and generally inexpensive. It eminates a fine mist spray at a distance of 6-12 feet with minimum blow-back on to you unless there is a breeze.

Pepper Spray Fogger
The pepper spray fogger has a range of 4-8 feet.  This device is great for covering an extremely wide area, and would be especially helpful if there is a case of multiple assailants. The disadvantage of this type of pepper spray is that the spray is so fine and wide that there is a greater risk of blowback, and would not work as effectively under windy conditions.

Pepper Spray Stream
A stream type of pepper spray can cover up to 15-20 feet, depending on the size of the canister and the amount of propellant. This type of spray is extremely effective, even under windy situations because it sprays with a higher force, not droplets like the fogger type.  In addition stream pepper spray is less likely to blow back in your face.  If you use pepper spray streams in an indoor setting, you there is a possibility of inhaling some of the spray, in addition to the fact that aiming becomes a factor as well.

Pepper Spray Gel
The pros for pepper spray gel is that it can be sprayed in indoor settings or close quarters and it can cover up to 25 feet. There is no risk of splatter with pepper spray gel, and it sticks to your attacker when making contact.

In this device, the OC is actually suspended in gel, rather than being in a liquid form, and offers several distinct advantages. This formula eliminates the possibility of having it thrown back at you like with foam patterns. Blowback and secondary exposure are minimal with this new formula.

Pepper Spray Foam
Pepper spray foam is similar to pepper spray gel.  Again, these products are great for close quarters or indoor use.  When sprayed at an attacker, the foam will coat their face, rendering them completely incapacitated for enough time for you to get away.  The foam can cover a range of 6-8 feet when sprayed.

Additional Types of Pepper Spray
There are other varieties of pepper spray products that are on the market as well, such as dog and bear pepper spray. The concentration of OC  in these products is less than those products designed for use against people, but equally effective.

In additional to the choice of  propellant and style of sprays, there is also the question of brands. Mace use to be a chemical form of defense spray used mostly by police in the 80's, but is now is a highly respected brand of quality OC pepper spray products among others.

Choosing to arm yourself with a pepper spray can mean the difference between being a victim and preventing an assault.  You really can avoid an attack by increasing your awareness, personal safety training and non-lethal products like pepper spray for your personal protection!