what is the difference between pepper spray and tear gas, both on a key chain, and spray?

Question

which would be better for a 21 year old girl to have just in case

what catagory am i supposed to put this question under anyways?

Answer 1

There are several compounds called "Tear Gas", although not a single one is, in fact, a gas. They are all particles dissolved/ suspended in a solution with a propellant to eject them from their can at an attacker. The military considers them to be in the class of "Riot Control Agents" -- because they render their victims incapable of continuing to fight without (usually) lingering harmful effects. Once removed from exposure, recovery is fairly rapid and complete, with no chronic after effects.

Pepper spray, Mace, and CS all fall into the sub-class of lachrymators -- tearing agents. They are extremely irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. Especially when in the eyes, they cause so much irritation that the body responds by rushing as much fluid to the site of the irritation as possible to dilute and remove it -- hence the copious tearing and running nose.

"Mace" (also called CN) is one of the most commonly available tearing agents, and was formerly used by the military as a battlefield agent. The chemical name for "Mace" is 2-chloroacetophenone. On contact with moisture, it hydrolyzes to produce a small quantity of hydrochloric acid, thus the tearing! But it was determined that the difference between the median incapacitating dose (ICt50 = 80 mg-min/m³) and the median lethal dose (LCt50 = 7000-14000 mg-min/m³) ( a ratio of about 100 - 1) was considered too small to be safe, and CN has been removed from most uses except for some older keychain sprays.

"CS" is a more recent tearing agent. The chemical name is o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile. The mechanism of action is similar to CN -- hydrolysis produces hydrochloric acid in the eyes and respiratory tract. It is much more effective, with an incapacitating dose of 10-20 mg-min/m³, and is considered safer because the LCT50 = 52000 - 61000 mg-min/m³ (a ratio or ~5000 - 1).

Pepper sprays have pretty well suplanted CN and CS in most uses, as the difference between the ICt50 and LCt50 is even greater than that for CS. Pepper sprays are made from concentrated capsaicin, the stuff that gives cayenne, jalapeno, habanero, and other hot chili peppers their "heat". The active ingredient, oleoresin capsicum, is much more effective than CS or CN because, along with the tearing, it causes involuntary shutting of the eyes (blepharospasm) on contact. The median lethal dose concentration is not currently known, but the oil is instantly effective at very low concentrations.

As far as personal defense, pepper spray is by far and away your best choice. Some people, especially some drug abusers, can develop a tolerance to CN or CS, but nobody that I know of has ever been able to withstand pepper spray to the eyes.

Answer 2

Pepper spray is not mace it's a concentrated red pepper extract, mace is a irritant chemical, and if you were sprayed by them you'd know the difference!!! Mace is not sold to non military personnel (not legally anyway), and Tear gas is defiantly not sold to the general public. Pepper spray is the only legal choice out of the ones above, but you could also get a stun gun there legal in most states and work a hell of alot better.

Answer 3

I can't imagine that tear gas is actually legal for anyone to carry on a key chain. You may be confusing it with mace. Mace is much better than pepper spray but I imagine it costs more. People can build up a tolerance to pepper spray. If you do get one of these items, get the one with dye in it. That makes it easier to find the bad guy later.

Answer 4

The point of having protection is so that you can get away fast. Pepper spray can be directed at the attacker, but tear gas will affect both of you, which doesnt really serve the purpose of getting away. Go with Pepper spray, not only is it more effective, but its cheaper and easier to come by.

Answer 5

Pepper Spray is made from concentrated Red Pepper.....and tear gas, well, it's a gas.

Answer 6

pepper spray, aka mace, comes in an aerosol can. tear gas comes in a grenade. umm yeah im gonna go with mace and use the spray can , keep it in your purse