One violent crime every 22 seconds.  One aggravated assault every 34 seconds.  One rape every six minutes.  These statistics from the Justice Department are unsettling, but carrying pepper spray offers security and a dependable defense.  MACE brand Pepper Spray is a security device that is effective against almost all assailants.

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Pepper spray is a weapon and should be handled as one at all times. It is important to give some advance thought to how to use your defense spray and where you will keep it.  Just like with any other weapon, you should be comfortable drawing and using your pepper spray.

Ease of access ought to be taken into consideration when choosing where and how you will carry your pepper spray.  Your purse isn't the best option because your pepper spray can easily get lost in the bottom. A purse with an accessible, open pocket may seem like a better option, but the first indication that you need your pepper spray may be when an assailant is already tugging on your purse.  Always keeping your pepper spray in the same location will save you from having to ask yourself the question, "Where did I put it today?", if you find yourself in a dire situation.  Buying a model with a key chain or a clip to attach it onto your belt or in your pocket is a safe way to insure easy accessibility to your pepper spray.

Even though pepper spray is a good way to get yourself out of a bad situation, the best safety measure is to avoid unnecessary risks in the first place.  You should always:

  • Make a habit of walking with other people
  • Stay on well lit, public paths
  • Avoid areas that are known to be unsafe

Pepper Spray's active ingredient, oleoresin capsicum, otherwise known as OC, is a derivative of cayenne peppers, some of the hottest peppers in the world.  Pepper spray is safe enough spice up a bowl of chili, but when in direct contact with the face and eyes, it is much more painful.

OC in pepper spray is an inflammatory agent which usually causes temporary blindness, extreme nausea and the instant inflammation of the breathing tube tissues which leads to the stopping of all but life support breathing. The inflammatory aspect of pepper spray makes it effective enough to severely impair even a PCP-intoxicated person who can't feel pain.  Your assailant's eyes will involuntarily slam shut when in direct contact with pepper spray, whether they feel pain or not.  The effects of pepper spray may last up to 40 minutes after the agent has been completely irrigated from skin surfaces, with some minor irritation persisting up to a few hours after exposure, but no permanent damage occ.

To ensure proper use keep in mind to:

  • Unlock the pepper spray's safety latch
  • Aim the pepper spray directly at the assailant's face
  • Press firing mechanism for at least one full second
  • Run the opposite direction
  • Contact the police immediately

Carrying pepper spray is an easy and cost-effective safety measure.  Pepper Spray enhances your personal security and is a trustworthy defense against almost all assailants.