Pepper Spray?

Question

I recently asked a question about someone possibly stalking me, or at the very least casing out my home. Anyway, I mentioned I had mace, and someone wrote in and said the effectiveness varies among individuals, that some aren't even phased by it hardly at all....is that true with all mace or just if it gets old? I heard if it gets old it's not as effective so I wasn't sure if thats what the person meant, or if some people are just "immune" to the stuff? Thanks!

thanks for the info so far guys....(especially info on foam, never heard of foam type before) uummmm....is pepper spray & mace the same thing? I thought it was.

Answer 1

effectiveness can be based on the strength of the concentration, age of product, amount used, level of tolerance developed by the person it is used on, etc. Most gun shops also sell mace if it is legal to own in your state. you can check with the gun shop personell to answer most of these questions. mace that is sold to the general public isn't as strong as some people think.

for example (and this is comming from working in a max security prison where there are two types used. one is a super strength pepper spray and the other is a chemical agent that sucks the oxygen out of the air essentially suffocating whoever is in the fog...both were military strength and purchased by the state from the military) the first time i was exposed to the pepper spray, my face burned and was red for a couple days. other officers only had a slight warm sensation for an hour on their first contact. but officers that had been there a while would actually use the stuff on their food in place of hot sauce (or at least bragged that they did, but all uses are strictly monitored). however, i have seen inmates that continue on about their business when the chemical agents are in use. sometimes that was because they had been exposed so many times that they had gotten used to it. sometimes that was because they had such a severe degree of mental illness that nothing phased them.

the kid you believe is stalking you would most likely not have built up any tollerance to the mace and would be scared of it. but you do need to check with your local law enforcement reguarding the laws of using the stuff.......expecially against a minor. you need to make sure you fully understand when and where and on whom you can use mace.

never depend on only one method of self-defense. always have an escape plan. always be prepared to face danger. the more aware of your surroundings you are, the more likely you will stay safe. don't be afraid to live your life, but don't take unnecessary chances either. definately make sure your neighbors all know what is going on and try your best to get a photo of the guy to give to the police.

a warning about the foam: if you spray the foam at an attacker, one well placed swipe of the hand and they will have it all scooped up in their palm and can fling it back at you. i have seen this happen. it is why foam is rarely used in texas prisons.

stay safe!!!!

Answer 2

If you are still carrying MACE, get rid of it and replace it with Pepper Spray, much more effective.

There are some people who can shake of the effects of chemical irritants. Some are so drunk that the nerves simply don't work as well. Some are so stoned they don't even know what's been used on them. Some are so mentally ill that the pain simply does not register.

Fortunately, these people are rare. Pepper Spray does seem to work on most people. Some will collapse in a pile of misery, others will just stand there and gag.

All of the spray deteriorate over time. It is best to replace you can of Pepper Spray about every three years.

Answer 3

I carry the mace Take Down pepper Gel inside my Jail. It's good stuff. I like it better than the spray because it's easier to aim.--less of a chance of cross contamination. The wind doesn't affect the gel as much as it does the spray, stream, or the foam.

There is an expiration date on every can.

Answer 4

Pepper spray and mace are not alike. Most of the pepper spray is between 2% and 4%, you may even find 6% if you are lucky. I have heard that on the black market there is now a 12%. I don't think anyone could stand 12%. I sure wish I could find some though.

Answer 5

I used to work the door at a club. Pepper spray was one of the primary ways for ending fights quickly without having to damage someone. I saw it used three times. Two times were hits close to the eyes with spray. Both of these times it stopped the person immediately, and effectively incapacitated the person. Both guys were drunk and agitated. One did continue to walk with his eyes closed, but it was quickly to get away. The third time was a small amount which hit near the face, which seemed to distract the guy, though if he would have wanted to he would have been able to attack.

I've heard of the police using fire extinguisher sizes to spray on groups to break up fights. From what I've been told, area spraying is NOT all that effective.

In short, a properly aimed hit works very well. Also, it is legal to carry and use in most states in the US. In Florida it could be considered assault if the use is unjustified.

Answer 6

Oleoresin capsicum (OC or pepper spray) is an inflammatory agent that effects the nerve endings in the skin and has the same effect if your eyes are open or not. It's effectiveness is determined by the individual's tolerance to pain. I've seen some people exposed to it fall to the ground and writhe in pain, while some are only briefly distracted by it. About four percent (4%) of the world's population are not noticeably affected by it at all. It does have a shelf life of five years from the date of manufacture, so if it's older than that, it needs to be replaced. Never rely on pepper spray to completely stop someone attacking you. Here's my advice: Spray and run.

Answer 7

I am a police offficer and I have carried pepper spray (OC) for ten years. It does depend on the person as to whether it is effective. As a general rule, people with lighter skin are affected to a higher degree than darker skinned individuals. You can also build a resistance to it.

However, I do believe OC is a highly effective self defense tool. OC starts losing its effectiveness after about three years. Up to then it works great.

Also...........don't buy the spray.............it is crap. The pepper foam is the nastiest stuff out there. It took me an hour to recover during the academy.

Have fun.

Answer 8

No, according to the label that comes with the mace when you buy it......... Mace may not work on enraged, drugged, or intoxicated assailants........ now, tell me, who else are you really gonna use it on ?? When I did have to use mine years ago, it didn't do a thing. The officer that handled the situation told me that it had something to do with the pupils being dilated, I believe. I did learn that you are supposed to spray somewhere around the chin so that the fumes work their way up and I'm sure it works on some people, just not all.

Answer 9

It is best to check with your local Police Department and see if their are any requirements on buying and owning pepper spray for your own protection.
I have never heard of mace or pepper spray going bad or anybody being immune of it. I do know when it is used the owner of the product needs to also carry a special solution, because the eyes must be washed out right away. It can cause blindness and if inhaled death. Then you would be the one going to jail...
I watch a lot of police programs and have done a lot of research on it. I just just the heck with it and took a 6 week course in self-defense. It was cheaper and safer

Answer 10

Pepper spray do expire. I replace them 2 to 5 years. A salesman told me they're only good for 2 years, but they're a salesman. Mace you need to be certified in California. You can buy pepper spray with out any problem in California, but You can't take it into the airport. My friend got caught doing that.