| There are several different pepper spray | | | | practice on non-organic targets. Carrying |
| types available today for your self-defense | | | | your mace spray protection is one thing, |
| protection: a stream pattern, a cone-mist, | | | | being able to use it on time and on target |
| and a fog. And, when it comes to non-lethal | | | | must be your primary objective. |
| self-defense weapons, pepper spray or mace | | | | |
| spray are right up there at the top of | | | | The best advice when using a pepper or mace |
| popularity for two main reasons: ease of use | | | | spray in any situation is to be careful. |
| and effectiveness. | | | | Spraying upwind means you receive the full |
| | | | force of the spray leaving your attacker in |
| Mace spray (mace is a brand name) and pepper | | | | an even better position to do you harm. Think |
| sprays are extremely effective at impairing | | | | before you spray! |
| vision and breathing. In addition to the type | | | | |
| of spray, they both come in a broad range of | | | | If you're wondering if pepper or mace sprays |
| sizes, styles, and concentrations | | | | are legal in your state, the best advise is |
| | | | to check your state's requirements and |
| Pepper spray, and to some degree its | | | | restrictions. Learn before you purchase. Mace |
| counterpart mace spray, is a very simple | | | | is the product most law enforcement agencies |
| irritant that causes the eyes to tear and | | | | use, and while many civilians can carry mace, |
| temporarily distorts vision. One thing to | | | | your state may require that you pass a |
| consider is how "hot" is the pepper spray | | | | written test and demonstrate proof that you |
| when it disables your attacker? Not all | | | | can "hit what you're aiming for." The legal |
| brands are created equal. Concentration does | | | | limitations on pepper spray are typically |
| not necessarily indicate "hot," nor does it | | | | less restrictive. Still, to be sure, find out |
| infer that the higher the percentage or | | | | what your local laws are - to protect |
| concentration the more effective it will be. | | | | yourself. |
| The most effective use of either mace spray | | | | |
| or pepper spray relies on one primary | | | | In the hands of reasonable people, pepper or |
| objective: can you hit your attacker? | | | | mace spray can be a valuable self defense |
| | | | tool. However, it is so important to remember |
| Whenever you are on foot, walking to your | | | | at all times that they are also weapons, and |
| car, leaving a restaurant, or shopping (to | | | | must be handled with a high degree of skill |
| name but a few possibilities), you should | | | | and confidence. Always follow basic safety |
| have your pepper spray in your hand and ready | | | | precautions and rules for pepper and/or mace |
| to use instantly. The idea is to put up what | | | | spray use. |
| has been called a "brick wall in between the | | | | |
| assailant and the sprayer." A good analogy. | | | | Remember, there is no quick antidote for |
| | | | pepper or mace spray. Defend yourself if |
| For successful self defense use of either | | | | necessary, but learn about your weapon of |
| pepper or mace spray it is important to | | | | personal self-defense choice first. |