Pepper spray is far better than tear gas or mace. First of all, they are more likely to stop an assailant. Tear gas and mace generally work on the pain principle, but that’s sometimes not enough for an assailant who is psychotic, under the influence of certain drugs or alcohol, or just plain immune to pain. Pepper spray, on the other hand, works to physically incapacitate the assailant, regardless of pain threshold.

The active ingredient is pepper spray is oleoresin capsicum, a chemical harvested or derived from cayenne peppers. This ingredient, briefly referred to as OC, is mixed with a carrier and a propellant in a can with a spray nozzle. When the mixture is sprayed into an assailant’s face, the OC affects the eyes, throat, nose, and lungs. The capillaries in the eyes instantly dilate, causing the eyelids to slam shut. The bronchial tubes swell tightly, making it hard for the attacker to breathe. The effects last a few minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the concentration of OC – long enough for the would-be victim to get away and call the police.

Law enforcement officers have been using pepper spray for decades. It has proven effective in subduing people and controlling crowds. It has also decreased the total number of cases of officer injury. Its effectiveness prompted manufacturers to offer the weapon to the general public. Now pepper spray is available in many mixes and formats, from large cans of mace, to small canisters that can fit on a key chain.

Used in conjunction with street smarts and hand-to-hand self-defense classes, pepper spray can be a highly effective tool for staying safe and sound.