Chemical Defensive Sprays - OC Class Orientation Handout
The purpose of chemical defensive spray is to create an opportunity to get away from an attack and flee to safety.
OC (oleoresin capsicum) is an oily extract of pepper plants of the genus Capsicum and is an organic inflammatory agent.[/B] Contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat, and lungs) causes immediate temporary blindness and instant inflammation of the breathing tissues causing severe restriction of breathing. OC effects last from 45 minutes to over an hour. It dissipates from an enclosed area after about 25 minutes of airing out.
OC is the best deterrent available for attacking dogs and wild animal control. Response to OC is involuntary and not dependent on a pain response. OC is not volatile and does not give off fumes; it only affects areas that it touches. This means OC must be dispensed as an aerosol, which allows it to be properly inhaled into the lungs. Persons exposed to OC spray should decontaminate as soon as possible using fresh running water and seek medical assessment and treatment as soon as possible.
Pepper spray is legal in most states. Although some states limit its use to law enforcement only, most states place little or no restriction on its purchase.
Where Can I Carry Pepper Spray? If it is otherwise legal in your state, it may be carried everywhere, except airports. It is prohibited at all airports so do not carry it there or pack it in checked or carry-on baggage.
What is my Legal Liability with Pepper Spray? Using any personal defense weapon in an offensive (rather than defensive) manner constitutes a criminal act and may (and probably will) be prosecuted under the law. However, if you perceive a threat and use the spray in a strictly defensive manner, you should have no legal liability if your state had no restrictions on the sale and use of pepper sprays.
Pepper sprays have been proven more effective than firearms against aggressive animals. Most animal confrontations occur either in suburban areas or within the boundaries of state or national parks where firearms are forbidden.
Pepper spray is NOT a substitute for a firearm. If you are attacked with deadly force, you should respond with deadly force.
Many defensive sprays sold for civilian use contain food grade capsaicin, which is less expensive. Food grade OC is lower in capsaicin content and "heat," and is heavy and oily, making it more difficult to dissolve and aerosolize. In poorly formulated food grade capsaicin spray, the capsaicin may separate from the propellant. Being lighter than the propellant, the capsaicin floats to the top. Because spray cans are designed with dip tubes, the contents in the bottom of the can are expelled first. Unless shaken, this means you first discharge mostly propellant and when you finally do get to the pepper, rather than spraying as a fine aerosol, you get "beads" of pepper which are less effective. Military and law enforcement specifications require pharmaceutical grade pure capsaicin, which is more expensive but makes a cleaner, more effective product.
Effects of Pepper Spray - The capsaicinoid content of extracts used in pepper sprays varies widely among manufacturers, from 1.2% for common animal repellants to a maximum of 12.6% for law enforcement use. Because the concentration of extract used varies, the effects associated with exposurevary by as much as 30-fold among different brands of OC sprays. Exposure to OC spray may occur through skin or eye contact, or inhalation. Once inhaled, it can be expectorated or ingested. With acute exposure, there is rapid onset of symptoms including burning, nausea, fear and disorientation.
Skin Exposure - Exposure of skin to OC spray causes tingling, intense burning pain, swelling, redness, and rarely, blistering. Multiple exposures of skin or mucous membranes over a period of seconds or minutes exaggerate the response. Capsaicin augments allergic sensitization and worsens allergic dermatitis. Exposure may diminish sensitivity to heat or chemical-induced pain, thus increasing the risk and severity of skin burns.
Respiratory Exposure - Respiratory responses to OC spray include burning of the throat, wheezing, dry cough, shortness of breath, gagging, gasping, inability to breathe or speak, and, rarely, cyanosis, apnea, and respiratory arrest. Nasal application of capsaicin causes sneezing, irritation, and reflex mucus secretion. Inhalation may cause acute hypertension (similar to ammonia inhalation), which may increase risk of stroke or heart attack.
Eye Exposure - Common ocular symptoms associated with OC spray exposure include redness, swelling, severe burning pain, stinging, inflammation, an involuntary or reflex closing of the eyelids. Ocular exposure to OC should be treated by flushing for at least 15 minutes with fresh water.
Problems with Pepper Spray- Serious adverse health effects, even death, have followed the use of OC sprays. These sprays should be regarded as poisons or weapons and kept away from children and teenagers. The risks of OC spray use by adults for self-defense has not been clinically studied, and its effectiveness as a crime deterrent is unknown.
Types of OC Spray Nozzles - OC that is discharged in a stream (like a squirt gun) is the least effective because the defender must be able to aim the stream exactly into the assailant's eyes, nose, or mouth. While under an attack and under the effect of an adrenalin rush, most people's aim is not sufficient to properly deploy the stream of OC at an attacker. Assailants may more easily protect themselves by turning their heads or covering their faces with their arms.
A more effective form of OC dispersal is a 4 oz. canister using a fogger type nozzle. Fogger canisters are the most common type carried by law enforcement. This fog will discharge to about 15 ft., enveloping an attacker's face and head, which almost ensures that the atomized droplets of OC will get into the attacker's eyes, on the skin of the face, and be inhaled into the nose and lungs where it will be most effective. Even if the assailant is covering his or her face or trying to hold his or her breath, the defender, by using short bursts, will still get the desired repellant effect.
For civilian use, the conical mist nozzle may be the best to use. Conical mist nozzle canisters come in smaller sizes from 1/2 oz. up to 4 oz. and are a good compromise between the fogger and the stream. The conical mist emits its fog in a much smaller diameter than the fogger, but with the same pressure. Good out to 12 ft., it uses less OC per spray so you get a more sprays per canister making it more economical for the ordinary person.
How Often Should I Replace My Canister of Pepper Spray? - There is no "expiration" date on pepper spray itself since capsaicin is does not deteriorate but the propellant may deteriorate. Since effectiveness is of utmost importance, it is recommended that canisters be replaced every three years.
Are the Pocket Size or Key Ring Sprays Effective? - Given the size of the container and the size and type of nozzle, it is almost impossible to have effective distance, pattern, or aerosolization. These types of sprays may also give the holder a false sense of security since the holder is relying on an ineffective means of defense.
What about an Ultraviolet (UV) dye in pepper spray? UV dyes are marketing hype. Most products claiming to have a UV dye have no UV dye at all. Pepper sprays contain caretinoids, the red pigment in red pepper extract. This is what certain companies are referring to as their "dye". The presence of UV dye may render a pepper spray less stable, shortening its shelf life.
References
Gregory Smith, MD, MPH, and Woodhall Stopford, MD, MSPH (North Carolina Medical Journal)
http://www.ncmedicaljournal.com/Smith-OK.htm.
http://www.nlectc.org/pdffiles/pepper.pdf
OC Spray Evaluation
Health Hazards of Pepper Spray
