A Guide to Pepper Spray

The pepper spray has been the weapon of choice since the early 1990's. It is little more than a canister filled with a mixture of powdered peppers, oil, and oleoresin capsicum. The chemicals are vaporised by applying heat to them. 

This combustion irritates the mucous membranes in eyes, nose and mouth which leads to an intense burning sensation that will cause temporary blindness, coughing up blood or spitting out blood. 

Pepper Spray: A Brief Guide To Its Specifications 

Personal pepper sprays usually have a trigger or a button to release the spray and are about 4.5 inches tall and wide. There is at least one safety feature on most sprays that helps prevent accidental discharge. There are many sizes of these spray canisters, ranging from 0.5 ounces up to 9.2 ounces for bear spray or 16 ounces for pistol grip foggers. 

A 16-ounce pistol grip spray is featured in the cable TV show, Dog The Bounty Hunter, where the hero and his crew use it as a weapon of intimidation. Most of the pepper spray wholesale is designed for women to use for self-defense, making them perfect to fit into purses and pockets, since most are used for self-defense by women. 

The bottom of any pepper spray canister has an expiration date usually between three and four years. Depending on the manufacturer, propellant, and size of the canister, the range of pepper sprays can be anywhere from 6 feet all the way up to 35 feet.

Main Ingredients Of Pepper Spray

A common ingredient in all pepper sprays is capsaicin, which is also the same ingredient in a lot of topical arthritis creams-usually at a strength of less than 0.1%. Oleoresin capsicum refers to cayenne pepper, which is one of the hottest peppers in the world. 

Pepper Spray

In order to spray it in a canister, the oil (or resin) may be mixed with water, glycol, and a propellant such as nitrogen. A UV marking dye for assailant identification can also be found in these sprays.

Pepper Spray Normally Effects In Three Ways:

There are three types of pepper spray: the most common form which affects the eyes, nose and throat; activation is achieved by heat. 

The second type affects the skin causing it to burn, blister and peel. It takes longer than type one to activate but it has no effect on eyes. And thirdly, there is a type two with this one affecting both eyes and skin with an adverse effect.
 
These types of Pepper spray are used in different ways such as by riot police in political demonstrations, especially when tear gas has proved ineffective due to the wind direction blowing the gas back at them. It is also effective in stopping dogs from attacking you, but has few other uses other than that.  

Physical Effects Caused By Pepper Spray

Upon coming into contact with pepper spray, a person's eyes are closed, they experience acute eye pain, and they become temporarily blind. A person may also experience severe discomfort and a bubbling sensation.

Other effects of this spray include:

  • Dry coughing
  • Shortness of breath or an inability to breathe
  • throat burning
  • Chest pain
  • Running nose
  • Panic or dizziness
  • An inability to speak
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Rashes, blisters, or burns on contact with the skin

It is reported that 10% of people have scratched their eyeballs or had corneal abrasions. They are usually temporary scratches caused by someone rubbing their eyes. The pain is often temporary. It usually resolves on its own within 30 minutes without medical intervention.

Some people with lung ailments may have a persistent cough or shortness of breath. Asthmatics may actually experience breathing difficulties that are more severe.
Occasionally, pepper spray can cause cyanosis, a blue discoloration of the skin that indicates deficiency of oxygen and blood flow.

Read More: Does Pepper Spray Damage Eyes? Exploring Its Effects


How Long Does It Last?

The effects usually last for just under half an hour and numb the area that was affected for up to 20 to 30 minutes. The effects can be prolonged and it can take up to two days for all the symptoms of pepper spray to subside. 

A person who has been sprayed with pepper spray will find it difficult to see, breathe and move, they may also find it hard to talk due to the burning sensation. There are antidotes available which will help stop the burning within minutes such as milk, water and vinegar.  

How To Treat A Person Contacted By Pepper Spray?

Pepper spray exposure does not have an immediate cure, though people can reduce the severity of the symptoms by:

  • Changing to a fresher environment, if possible
  • Using lots of water to wash away contaminants from the affected area
  • Soap is irritating to the eyes, so avoid using it around them
  • It is important to decontaminate and prevent re-contamination of clothing that may have contacted the spray.
  • It is best not to touch the affected area, since spreading the oil-based solution elsewhere on the body can be a problem
  • Flushing out the chemicals by blinking rapidly

Pepper spray can be removed using baby shampoo, milk, antacids, and lidocaine. An analysis of these strategies from 2008 failed to confirm that they are more effective than water. According to the study from 2018, baby shampoo did not help relieve the effects of tear gas or spray as well as water alone.

To help relieve the symptoms of pepper spray exposure, emergency responders may use wipes and saline solutions. Research does not confirm that a saline solution known as diphoterine is effective for removing this from the eye or skin when it comes in contact with various chemicals.

Pepper Spray- An Ideal Defensive Tool For Ladies

If you're a woman, you know that the world can be a dangerous place. The feeling of vulnerability is especially strong when we're out at night alone, looking to hail a cab or find our way back from the club. 

pepper spray wholesale

Our own protection may be carried in our purse or pocket, but for added security it's not a bad idea to stash some pepper spray on us as well. So buy bulk pepper spray and make sure you have the right protection tools to survive against the attackers. 

Read More: Get Wholesale Self Defense Products 


Pepper Spray Safety Tips and Information

1. Use only the amount of spray you will actually use in an emergency situation. Never exceed the recommended dosage.

2. When using this spray, it's important to aim it directly at the face of your attacker.

3. If you do get pepper spray on your clothes, remove it immediately and wash it according to instructions on the label.