I would like to know more about pepper sprays for self defence. My mother takes her daily walks on country roads and I would feel so much better if she had some form of self-protection. I have bought her pepper spray from a surplus army store. The container only holds 3-4 applications of pepper spray and the directions instruct you to spray one perodically to make sure that the spray isnt clogged. Well if you are spraying this every so often it wont be long untill you run out. I was wondering if a person could make one's own pepper spray, I have plenty of dried cayenne??

-- Trendle Ellwood (trendlespin@msn.com), January 03, 2001

Answers

I believe it's actually a synthetic formula in the spray cans, not real caspsacin (sp.?) like in the hot peppers. Get her a 9 volt electronic zapper, they work better, effective, but no permanent damage done, and works against four-legged attackers too.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), January 03, 2001.

Trendle, pepper spray is what most police officers will tell you not to use----if it is windy --you can receive more than the person you were trying to use it on!!! If you are shot with the over effects of the spray use a mixture of sugar/ baby shampoo/ & water to clean your face & eyes----as this is what is given to State Troopers in our area in already prepared in like handi-wipes to use.

We have owned our own businesses for about a hundred years now---- been friends with many levels of protection in our state.

They told me, to always have ready to use a small fire extinguisher/ it is a "legal weapon" to carry with you!!!!

I always have one next to me in my car seat/ one in my large purse if going to be out by myself/ under the counter at our business/ hanging on the walls/ they are everyewhere in our house/ barn---etc. Also in our motor home---everywhere---they can serve more than one purpose! They come in all sizes!!!!!

Like useing a gun aim /for the part of the body to do the most good--- except with a fire ex. the place you want to aim for is their face-- eyes & nose & mouth!! It will give you time to get away/ get your gun to back you up-or get help!!!

I have used one for YEARS!!!!!! IT DOES WORK!!!!!!!! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 03, 2001.

I just wanted to add that it is legal in ALL states to carry a fire extinguisher with you consealed or not---but it is not legal in ALL states to carry your gun with you/ consealed or not!! Thanks! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 03, 2001.

The zapper has to make contact. This is not a good idea for man or beast. The pepper spray works best in the 10-percent strength. I would think the foam type would help with the wind. I have a large can for home bought from a police supply store. Here in Florida you have to have a permit to carry anything over half an ounce or so. The new Field & Stream mag. says studies show your odds are better with pepper spray than a gun against a bear. I'll take the gun, thank you.

-- Allen Bitting (allen@sebroach.com), January 03, 2001.

Pepper spray is sorta like Y2K, sounds scary but may not be. The only place it is effective is directly into the face and then probably not as good as mace. Most pepper spray comes out of the nozzle in a stream for about 3 or 4 feet. If you are going to use something for self defense, make sure you know how to use the item and are proficient with it. In other words -- practice until you are. Use a fresh can for defensive purposes and rotate it using the old can for practice. Once you spray any amount replace the can. If you decide to go on the offensive be sure you can win. Most times your valuables are not worth your life. If they are once an attacker is delayed, run like hell or really go on the offensive cause they will shortly do so no matter how bad they are hurting. Some states regulate it like mace.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), January 03, 2001.

Years ago I had a container that said tear gas on it, but can't find that anymore. I like to walk in the country & carry the pepper spray since that is all I can find. In my area we don't have bears but there are a lot of farmers with huge bulls, does anyone know if this spray will work on a mean bull?

-- Lenore (archambo@winco.net), January 03, 2001.

Another thing to remember is attitude. It won't work unless you are willing to use it. I used to teach a self-defence course and had to get the women to realize that it is either him or you. (boy, did I get them going sometimes. People in other classes used to look in to see what was going on.)

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 03, 2001.

Wasp & Hornet spray works very good on attackers, Get the one that sprays 15 to 20 feet. Aim for the face. Mary

-- Mary (marwel@microserve.net), January 03, 2001.

I don't trust pepper spray. Our mailman sprayed a only half way irritated dog and not only got bit but now the dog ruthlessly chases him down the road. I have saw films where bad boys in Louisana sprayed pepper spray on sandwichs just to make a point.

When my wife and I walk I take along our doberman and Smith & Wesson one or the other will take care of us.

When my grandmother was alive she carried a hoe and a sugarcane knife in her apron. She is still the reining champion for rattlesnake kills on our 2 mile dirt road. 15 in one summer.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), January 03, 2001.

I prefer a Glock for self-defense. However, my job working for Uncle Sam has required me to carry, use, and train others for several years with pepper spray and "mace" for less than lethal encounters. I would gargle a gallon of "mace" (CN or CS) before getting sprayed again with OC pepper spray. We had to get a full dose as part of the qualification process to carry pepper spray. The best way to explain how it feels is; it feels like bobbing for french frys. It has to be a potent blend. A lot of the commercial stuff is watered down. 10% will usually get the job done. Ask a friendly trooper or cop which is best. As in any hostile encounter, nothing works all of the time for every situation. You really do want the wind on your back unless your lifes in danger and you have no other choice.

-- Roscoe Rotten (rkphipps@simflex.com), January 03, 2001.

For a two-in-one self defence/visual deterent get Mum a nice long cattle prod (they come in a few different lengths). Keep a fresh battery in it. She can use it to "poke around" under suspicious logs and such for "critters", use a long one for a cane-like appliance or walking stick, and fend off (or at least slow down) just about anything, without getting within arms reach.

Hubby was "playing" with one in a store one time and paralyzed his arm for a good 30 min. by touching the live end (don't ask - he's a "poke and prod" kinda shopper). He's 6'4 and usually between 180 and 200+ lbs, and if you were to hit an attacker of his size in the genetic dispersal area, I can guarantee you'd have time to get away before he could come after you. At the very least, you could quickly put someone's "trigger arm" out of commission in a stick up. They are fairly reasonably priced, and also legal anywhere, as far as I know, except maybe in the bigger cities where little enough is.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), January 03, 2001.

I carried pepper spray when we lived in the city because there were so many unrestrained dogs in the neighborhood where I took walks. I suggest you definitely "test spray". Know how the chemical will come out of the container. For some reason I expected a mist when what really came out was a narrow stream - much harder to hit the target with when you're excited. Secondly, if using it on animals, don't expect too much. I expected the first dog I had to spray to immediately start yipping and run for cover. Not so - I found that it did work on dogs, but that it would first slow them down and then that they would often try to charge again. I usually had to zap them with it two or three times to get them to back off sufficiently. But once sprayed, I didn't have any "repeat customers". They backed off when they saw me coming.

However, I also think you have to be reasonable about using such a product. I never sprayed a dog that was inside someone's fence or well within the bounds of their property, no matter how viciously he was barking. He was probably just doing the job they had trained him for. But the minute he crossed onto the public walkway or into the street, he was mine. I will not tolerate such a threat to me or my infant daughter on public property!

-- Lori in SE Ohio (klnprice@yahoo.com), January 04, 2001.

The drawback to pepper spray is that the eyes are such a small target and very hard to get a direct hit during a surprise attack or scuffle. Holding the canister correctly is also very important. Hold it in your fist with your thumb on the trigger. Also, many criminals are learning to expect the pepper spray and can fight their way through the blinding pain to complete their crime.

I like the cattle prod idea and the fire extinguisher, too. I am all for whatever a person is most comfortable using whether it is a handgun or a big stick, whatever works.

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), January 05, 2001.

THANKS EVERYONE, YOU HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL, I THINK MOM WILL BE WELL TAKEN CARE OF NOW!! THANKS AGAIN!

-- (trendlespin@msn.com), January 06, 2001.

Soni, I asked and was told cattle prods are considered in the same catagory as stun guns which are illegal to carry in NJ. Sounded like a great idea though.

-- Dee in NJ (gdgtur@goes.com), January 06, 2001.