Fox Labs pepper spray is the Hottest Pepper Spray used by Police and Military Worldwide Mean Green Now Available only here! See below. Nonflammable! Safe to use with TasersNow supplying pepper spray products to the Dept. Of Corrections of Florida, 4th largest DOC in the country. At an incredible 5,300,000 scoville heat units, Fox Labs pepper spray breaks the record for creating the most effective pepper spray products ever. Now Fox Labs Pepper Sprays are available to the public at the best prices only here at DefenseDevices.com.Honestly folks, from all the feedback and comments from customers which include police, military, security guards and other professionals, Fox pepper spray is the one they all swear by. Many won't use any other kind of pepper spray and pay for it out of their own pocket. Experience has shown fox pepper spray to be the most effective.Most pepper sprays are between 1/2 million and 2 million shu. Fox pepper spray is refined to 5.3 million shu, that's like the difference in heat between paper burning and a blue-hot blowtorch (about 451 degrees F vs 2000 degrees F.) However, because of its unique formulation it does not blister the skin. Public law enforcement agencies across the USA are using Fox pepper spray and Fox Labs Products. The Fox pepper spray base formula in this pepper spray costs 10 times (yes, TEN times) more than the usual standard 2MM base used by others. But, your safety is not negotiable. Get the Best!We cannot ship Fox pepper spray to NY, MA (w/o FID) HI, AK or APO addresses. MA residents must have a firearm ID card.

SABRE Advanced 3-In-1 combines both an irritant (CS Military Tear Gas) and an inflammatory (Oleoresin Capsicum/Red Pepper) to produce a blended formulation, which is superior to all single ingredient defense sprays. SABRE provides you with the following advantages:

5x's more shots per canister - most key chain units contain approximately five (5) shots while SABRE contains approximately twenty-five (25).

Advanced 3-In-1 Formulation provides increased stopping power. UV Marking Dye for suspect identification. 4 year expiration date is up to 2 years longer than most other sprays. Guaranteed Heat - Security Equipment Corporation's High Preformance

Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Laboratory scientificaly ensures heat specifications are met in every canister. No other manufacturer provides on-site HPLC technology to guarantee the strength of their sprays.

SABRE is not legal for sale in the following states: HAWAII, MICHIGAN, NEW YORK & WISCONSIN.

SABRE Red Pepper Sprays

SABRE RED IS OVER SIX TIMES HOTTER THAN THE HOTTEST CHILI PEPPER!

SABRE RED contains 10% oleoresin capsicum measuring 2,000,000 Scoville Heat Units, producing 1.33% major capsaicinoids. Independant laboratory testing found SABRE RED to be 8% to 86% stronger than the competition.

SABRE RED provides you with the following advantages:

Lab results show SABRE RED is 8% to 86% hotter than any other civilian red pepper spray.

5x more shots per canister - most key chain sprays contain five (5) shots, SABRE RED contains twenty-five (25).

Contains UV Marking Dye for suspect identification. 4 year expiration date is up to 2 years longer than most other sprays. Guaranteed Heat - Security Equipment Corporation's High Preformance

Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Laboratory scientificaly ensures heat specifications are met in every canister. No other manufacturer provides on-site HPLC technology to guarantee the strength of their sprays.

SABRE RED can be specially formulated to meet the restrictions in Michigan, Wisconsin, and New York making it is legal for sale in all 50 states.

Pepper Spray is preferred over other types of aerosols because it is primarily composed of natural food grade ingredients, is environmentally safe, biodegradable, and produces a rapid physical reaction in low concentrations. All pepper spray products use a nitrogen,CO2 or Freon propellant which is nonflammable and provides a consistent and reliable spray pattern for years and in a wide range of temperatures. These products are freshly made continuously and have not been sitting around in a warehouse for months. We warranty to replace these products ourselves for 1 year but actual shelf life is much longer, around 4 to 5 years(may be less for 1/2 oz. units due to its small size and small amount of propellant). The OC spray does not deteriorate like tear gas. It is only the pressurization of the propellant which declines over time. (molecules of propellant leak past the seals over time) Test spray your pepper spray a couple of times a year to make sure its operating properly and has not lost pressure.

No one has a quick and 100% effective neutralizing agent for Capsaicin. Capsaicin is the chemical agent in peppers (not the seeds) which stimulate tissue and fake the brain into thinking there is pain. No doubt the pain is real though! Milk, baking soda paste and honey do a good job removing the sting from the fingers and face, but trace amounts of Capsaicin will remain on the fingers even after dozens of hand washings. Advice from a Bio-Chemist at Michigan State University is to wash the hands in alcohol. Please be aware that this will only help to a certain degree. Ultimately you will need to wait for the skin to slough off the microbes of Capsaicin.

How to Disperse Pepper SprayForced cone: This is a variation on the popular cone type and is the best in most situations. It is a fine mist that comes out in a forceful spray pattern usually at distances from 8 to 12 feet. In the latest generation of dispensing actuators, the mist is made up of super-fine droplets of pepper solution. These droplets help to minimize blow-back of pepper formula on you while the mist (looks like a heavy fog) penetrates the attacker's skin pores and mucous membranes for an experience they will not soon forget!. This pattern actually spreads out to a width of approximately 2 feet at its maximum distance. This pattern covers the whole face and is absorbed into the mucus membrane with hot pepper causing the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, shortness of breath, etc.

Broken-Stream: (and heavy-stream) This type is a variation on the widely distributed stream type. Very effective at hitting multiple attackers, hitting them in the dark, in tight areas, e.g., through your partially opened car window, and helps with aim. The solid stream (similar to the water guns sold today) will blast an attacker with super-hot pepper! Through a partially opened car window you have minimum misting action that can contaminate you. If you miss, or the attacker was in a hard- to-reach area, you can "fan" this spray during discharge. Fanning is a technique for hitting your mark. You spray the stream then move your dispersions path from side to to side until yon hit your mark! The stream also provides the

heaviest blast of pepper (cans will empty faster). The pepper works instantly. Causes the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, shortness of breath, etc.

Fogger: This type of spray pattern is great for multiple attackers, crowd control, bears and home use. One disadvantage is there can be some blow-back of pepper contaminating you, especially if used outdoors. However, the blast you would receive and the direct blast the attacker receives are quite different. Where you would tear and cough on a good sized blow-back, the attacker would be rendered incapacitated for about 30 minutes. You pull the trigger or release button, and "fan" your path back and forth hitting everything in its path. Picture a mini fire extinguisher! The pepper works instantly. Causes the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, shortness of breath, etc.

Foam: This type is excellent for blow-back protection and immediate saturation. EXAMPLE: If it is windy, you can spray this with minimum to no pepper blow-back contaminating you. A common misconception is that the attacker, once sprayed with the foam can just wiped it away and continue to attack. This Pepper Foam is like thick, sticky saving cream but with one addition... 5.3 million Scoville Heat Units of blistering hot pepper. He will try to wipe it off but it will be to late. The pepper works instantly. Causes the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, shortness of breath, etc.  

Types of triggers for pepper sprays.

^^^^^^ ABOVEMace Pepper Spray Gun Sprays 25 Feet!Blue and Silver to be available by Mar 5.The Mace Pepper Gun uses an advanced delivery system utilizing patented Bag-in-a-Can Technology. This new system allows the pepper spray (OC) to spray in a continuous stream pattern from any angle, even when Pepper Spray Gun is held upside down. Sprays 7 stream blasts up to 25 feet. The trigger activated LED light allows for better aim and temporarily disorients intruder. You get the extreme range and power of a big, heavy can of riot size pepper spray with a small gun unit weighing only a few ounces.

Mace Pepper Gun comes with: Pepper Gun dispenser, One 28 gram OC cartridge, One water test cartridge and batteries (for the LED light). Refill cartridges are sold separately. Add more OC cartridges at a discount from the drop down menu.

Features:

Police strength 28 gram OC cartridge Sprays up to 25 feet Contains 7 bursts Trigger activated LED light Requires Mace Pepper Gun OC Refill CartridgesPepper Spray Restrictions Pepper Spray cannot be shipped to NY, MA, MI, HI or AK or outside the USA. MA residents need an FID card to order pepper spray. Yes, we can ship pepper spray to MA if you fax a copy of your current FID card to us at 901-881-0842.Pepper spray products must be shipped by UPS ground. Temporarily out of silver

Pepper Gel

It is a formulation of pepper suspended in gel instead of a liquid stream, making it more advantageous to the user. First, it strikes a target at a longer distance. Second, it is non-flammable and sticks like glue, making it more difficult for the attacker to wipe it off his face. Third, it is even less contaminating than pepper foam; similar to foam, it does not evaporate as readily as pepper stream or spray. As a result, both foam and gel should not affect the user in a confined space. Pepper gel also comes in 2 sizes. The large model contains 45 grams good for 7 one second bursts and has an effective range of 18 feet while the magnum model contains 79 grams with a fire rate of 13 one second bursts and with a similar range.

Longer Distance: Conventional aerosol sprays reach up to approximately 15 feet. Mace Pepper Gel’s® spray can reach a distance up to 25 feet. • Sticks Like Glue: The thick gel formula sticks to the face of an assailant leaving them temporarily blinded, which allows for a safe escape. • Stronger Formula: The extremely powerful 1.4% capsaicinoid concentration is hotter than many other pepper sprays on the market, but the unit is non-toxic and causes only temporary discomfort. • Streaming pepper sprays can contaminate a home, mall, hospital, or business with an uncomfortable pepper scent that will take several hours to dissipate. The gel formula minimizes cross-contamination and is ideal for indoor use because it allows an assailant to be sprayed without contaminating the surrounding area. • Shelf Life: Pepper Gel® units are effective for up to three years. • Decontamination: The gel formula allows for a shortened decontamination period by using soap and water or a decontamination spray. (Not that we expect you to share that information with an assailant!) • Price: Mace Pepper Gel® is less expensive than electronic, less-than-lethal personal defense devices on the market.

Pepper FoamThe high powered Mace® 10% Pepper Foam Magnum model is the ultimate in home or auto protection. A revolutionary defense spray that combines 10% pepper and foam to produce a powerful defense during an attack. The thick foam covers an assailant’s face, making it difficult to see while the OC Pepper forces the eyes to slam shut. Ideal for home, auto, RV and other indoor or confined spaces. Also includes ultraviolet UV dye to invisibly mark an assailant which may aid in identification. Model features flip top safety cap. This 113 gram unit sprays 6-10 feet. Contains 10, one second bursts.

Foam is excellent for blowback protection and extremely reduced area contamination, and immediate saturation. EXAMPLE: If it is windy, you can spray this with minimum to no pepper blowback contaminating you as found in a standard aerosol spray. A common misconception is that the attacker, once sprayed with the foam, can just wiped it away and continue to attack. This Pepper Spray Foam is like thick, sticky saving cream but with one special feature not found in many types of foam, after contact on the assailant, the foam immediately starts to break down into a liquid jell form. Other foams retain the foam appearance for several minutes that could allow the assailant to remove and throw some of the product back at you

Pepper Spray, Tear Gas, Mace and The Law

Some states regulate or forbid tear gas, or some may allow cities to make their own assorted laws regarding tear gas. Many countries, including Canada, also forbid tear gas. For this reason, it's a good idea to call the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over your destination before you bring tear gas somewhere to find out about its tear gas laws. Misuse of tear gas in California comes with state penalties of up to a $1000 fine and/or up to three years in prison, not to mention a possible felony conviction on record. Examples of misuse include using tear gas on people in anger, spraying it as a joke, or possession of tear gas by prohibited persons. Minors, drug addicts or persons convicted of felonies, assault or misuse of tear gas are legally prohibited from possessing tear gas, although there are few barriers to procurement of tear gas by these people. To be legally purchased, possessed or used in California, any canister must have a label that says "WARNING: The use of this substance or device for any purpose other than self-defense is a crime under the law. The contents are dangerous--use with care." The maximum legal net weight for a canister is 2.5 ounces, or 70 grams of OC, CS or CN. CR is not legal for civilian use. There are four major chemicals used as tear gasses. The first two are CS and CN, short for orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and chloroacetophenone, respectively. They are the most common by far. A third, code named CR (dibenz(b,f)-1,4-oxazepin), has not come into civilian use. At standard temperature and pressure, these are actually white crystals with fairly low vapor pressures, not gasses, and they're not very soluble in water. In order to disperse them, they are suspended in a liquid carrier and aerosolized. You have probably heard of Mace, which is one of many brands of CN tear gas and is a well recognized trade name by both civilian and law enforcement tear gas users. The fourth is pepper spray, which is the oleoresin capsicum extracted from chili peppers. It's the chemical that gives them their hot quality. OC is a reddish-orange, oily liquid, insoluble in water. This agent is also dispersed by aerosol. Tear gas has been credited with saving lives when police are faced with barricade situations and combative suspects. Its use is a standard tactic which usually facilitates an arrest without the need for lethal force. It has also been used by the military in Vietnam, amid international controversy. Many considered its use in warfare to be a violation of the Geneva Protocols. One infamous use of tear gas occurred at Kent State University in Ohio in 1970. Although National Guard troops shooting students, killing four, was at the heart of the tragedy, the tear gas deployment on campus is well remembered. Pepper spray is generally regarded to be the most distressing to experience, but it must be sprayed in the eyes or inhaled directly to be effective. CS and CN, on the other hand, vaporize to some extent despite their low vapor pressures and may have some effect on a person who is hit less accurately due to the vapors being inhaled or drifting into the eyes. CS and CN may have some effect on a person sprayed in the groin area. Because of the different advantages of each, some formulations are being manufactured which contain blends of OC and either CS or CN. Also, despite the absence of vapors from oleoresin capsicum, aerosolized particles can remain airborne for a long time, especially indoors. Their concentrations can be high enough to irritate many people who were not even sprayed directly. One type of OC product attempts to eliminate aerosolized pepper spray entirely by propelling the agent in a thick foam.

While pepper spray is legal for use against bears in most states, the use of mace and tear gas is not.

The effects of exposure to tear gas can include tearing and involuntary closure of the eyes, with severe burning sensations on the nerve endings of the skin. Coughing, inflammation, mucous secretion, headache, dizziness, a tight feeling in

the chest or excessive salivation may result. Pepper spray can cause a significant enough inflammatory response in the eyes to severely degrade the vision of even a PCP- intoxicated person who can't feel pain. If you are using tear gas defensively, target the face. A person properly sprayed with tear gas may experience panic, especially if you achieve an element of surprise. Pepper spray's effects 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. CS, CN and CR, on the other hand irritate when there is a sufficient concentration in contact with the skin and the 15-30 minutes of residual irritation degrades rapidly. CS is hydrolyzed in water, especially in basic solution; at pH 9, its half-life is about 1 minute. Your tear gas should come with a package insert that includes first aid instructions. If you accidentally spray yourself with tear gas, you will probably not be able to find these instructions, let alone read them--so read them before you need them. If you become exposed to any of these types of tear gasses, copious amounts of cool water should begin to provide relief and rinse away the tear gas contamination. Warm water may intensify the burning and inflammation, though. Fresh air helps, and washing twice with soap is recommended. Try not to rub! Don't use a soap that contains a lot of oils, and don't apply oily lotions--they will carry tear gas particles deeper into your skin and prolong your discomfort. Remove any contact lenses if you get tear gas into your eyes--but not with fingers that have additional tear gas contamination. Don't touch your face before washing your hands after contacting tear gas. Remove any contaminated clothing, as you may recontaminate yourself from them, and CN or CS- soaked clothing will continue to give off noxious vapors. Pain may be reduced by taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug, like ibuprofen. In addition, an over-the-counter antihistamine may alleviate some of the effects of pepper spray. Unfortunately, the time it takes for your body to deliver the drug in a pill to the sites of irritation make them of little use until the effects are already wearing off. They will be most effective if taken before exposure, like the antidotes to some chemical warfare agents, making them rarely useful. Infants are very sensitive to tear gas and should be taken to a doctor immediately if exposed to it. Tear gas as a weapon of self defense can be an excellent distraction, allowing the victim time to get away. However, unlike a firearm, it has little “stopping power,” little ability to actually stop an attacker from causing you injury. Tear gas does not paralyze. A person sprayed with it may still grab you, hit you, stab you or shoot you. Also, tear gas may not affect the insane, addicts, intoxicated or hysterical persons.

A person threatening you with a lethal weapon can injure you mortally in less time than it takes you to draw and aim a tear gas weapon. An assailant may be able to take your canister away from you and use it against you. If this is happening, try to throw the spray away out of reach. Your spray could backfire at you in wind. Both wind and rain may reduce its range and effectiveness. CS, CN and CR tear gasses are usually not very effective against animals. In fact, law enforcement uses horses and dogs in areas they have deployed tear gas. OC has been proven effective against many animals, and has been available to the California public in an aerosol form for this purpose even before its use against humans became legalized. Most canisters sold for self-defense against humans, however, are marked “Not tested on animals.” If you are attacked, use plenty of spray in the assailants face and run away immediately Tell law enforcement about the incident right away. Remember a description of the assailant and the location of the incident and tell them to law enforcement in order to make an arrest possible. The best safety measure is to avoid unnecessary risks whenever possible. Have a security plan: Make a habit of walking with others and stick to paths with good lighting, in public view whenever possible. Avoid areas known to be dangerous--never go with tear gas where you wouldn't go without. Although the Materials Safety Data Sheet for OC does not list any known

specific lethal dose or lethal concentration, pepper spray has been implicated in the deaths of some people who were sprayed with it. These people suffered anaphylaxis, a violent allergic reaction that can be life threatening. Symptoms can include airways obstructed by swelling, fainting, and shock. Asthmatics are at higher risk of having an adverse reaction to pepper spray. Another bizarre risk factor that was recently reported is a history of violent behavior and confrontations with law enforcement; this statistic may be an artifact of these people having a higher probability of exposure in the first place, or having a higher probability to multiple exposures which might cause allergic sensitization in some individuals. For the reason of additional risk to asthmatics, such people who wish to carry tear gas for self defense but worry about possible wind-blowback may wish to consider a formulation which does not contain oleoresin capsicum, or at least a foam type pepper spray which reduces the risk from airborne particles of the OC agent. This risk of a bad reaction, however, is not going to be reduced for the user of a foam in a situation where an assailant takes the weapon away and uses it against the victim. Also, the possibility of this reaction emphasizes the importance of using pepper spray only in defense of people, not property. It also adds potential liability in these litigious times.

Canisters may have a shelf life of three to six years. They are usually conservatively dated to expire in one year. Shake the canister about once a month to keep the ingredients mixed. Canisters have the active ingredient mixed in a liquid, and a pressurized gas propellant. The inside of a tear gas canister is like a squirt bottle under pressure. An intake straw dips to the bottom of the canister, into the liquid mixture. For this reason, the canister must remain fairly upright. If it's held upside down while spraying, only the propellant may escape. If the canister is sprayed upside down, it will loose pressure and may not be able to spray when you need it, even though you may be able to hear and feel the liquid sloshing around and you believe the can is full. Other canister failures are possible. The nozzle may become clogged with lint or dirt. The trigger may break off. If left in a car on a hot day, a canister may be exposed to temperatures over 140 degrees F. Even if the it doesn't explode (which it might), this adverse condition may cause a leak or a loss of the pressure needed to fire the device. It could also shorten the life of the active ingredients. If you wish to test your canister for pressure, make your spray burst only a fraction of a second and don't do this often, as there may be as little as four seconds or less worth of spray in some models. The label or instructions of a good brand should tell you how many seconds of spray it has. Although floating the device in water to determine the quantity of ingredients left has been recommended in the past, be aware that this may cause the label to fall off or dissolve, and the device will no longer comply with the law unlabelled. Keep it away from children! You are responsible for the use of your canister.

It is vital that you give some thought in advance to how you will carry your tear gas canister. A purse can be a poor location, as it is likely to end up at the bottom and you will have to dig for it in an emergency. A purse with an accessible, open pocket where the spray can't get lost may be better than keeping it loose in the bag, but the first indication that you need your spray may be when an assailant is already tugging on your purse. Consider carrying the device in the same place whenever possible. That way, you won't have to think, "where is it today?" in the heat of the moment. Try various carrying methods and practice drawing the weapon. Make sure you can draw it quickly from wherever you're keeping it. Good, accessible locations include inside a pants pocket, especially for the models with a clip. If it's clipped onto the outside of a pocket or belt, it may be dislodged accidentally or grabbed by an attacker. At the very least, it may be noticed before you use it, removing the element of surprise which adds to the effectiveness of tear gas. Most clip models

have the clip on the left side of the canister, which leaves the majority of the canister concealed if it's kept in the left pocket with the clip out. If you are comfortable drawing the weapon with your left hand, this is a good configuration. If this type of canister were kept in the right pocket, it would be backwards when it is pulled out. Another good location may be a loose outer pocket of a jacket. Belt holsters are available for some models. Although these are visible, the canister may be less recognizable to an attacker in a holster than it would be bare. The importance of accessibility can not be over stressed. How much warning might you have in a typical assault? How long does it takes you to draw your weapon? Does the way you carry your canister allow you to draw it in time to hinder an assault? Keep in mind that most canisters are effective up to about a ten foot range. You should have your tear gas with you whenever possible. Hopefully, you will never need it. But if you do, you are unlikely to know when until the very moment you need to grab for it. Always remember that you assume all risk and liability for owning and using tear gas, including pepper spray. Even if you use it correctly, there is no guarantee that it will always be effective at hindering an attack, and there is always the possibility that it may be used against you instead. I hope this document has given you a better understanding of tear gas as a weapon for self defense. Please be careful and safe!

F.A.Q.

pepper spray legal? In most states pepper spray is legal to possess and carry. You should check with your local law enforcement office or your states Attorney Generals office for any regulations your state may have. There are states where pepper spray is legal but there may be size, age or OC concentration restrictions. You should check on these restrictions as well.

Is there anyplace where I cannot carry my pepper spray? Yes. You cannot carry pepper spray on board commercial aircraft. This is a Federal crime that can carry up to a $25,000 dollar fine. It is ok to carry pepper spray in your checked baggage although it is highly advisable that you notify the ticketing agent when you check your baggage. Also since 9/11/01 you may have issues when carrying pepper spray into secured locations such as a Federal buildings, State buildings or anyplace where you pass through a security checkpoint. Although there are no laws that we are aware of you should use your common sense here.

How does pepper spray work? Pepper spray's active ingredient is OC or oleoresin capsicum. The OC is derived from Cayenne peppers these are some of the hottest peppers in the world. Unlike MACE or tear gas, which are irritants, pepper spray OC is an inflammatory agent. Contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat and lungs) causes immediate dilation of the capillaries. This can result in temporary blindness and instant inflammation of the breathing tube tissues and systematically cuts of all but life support breathing. OC also will create an intense burning sensation on the surface of the skin. However, OC will cause no lasting after effects. The effects last from 15 to 60 minutes. Because OC is an inflammatory agent and not an irritant it is effective on those who feel no pain such as psychotics and those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

When should I use my pepper spray? Although no defense item is 100% effective in every situation you will need to assess the situation as it happens. You should ONLY use pepper spray if you are threatened or your life is in danger. please note that it IS a crime to use pepper spray to commit malicious acts.

How do I use my pepper spray? If you have to use your pepper spray make sure you have distance between you and the threat if at all possible. Aim the spray at the eyes and facial region of the threat then release a 1 to 2 second burst of spray. After you have done this MOVE out of the way but keep your eyes on the threat. Pepper spray can take a couple of moments to cause a reaction and by watching the reactions of the threat you will be able to determine if you will require another shot of pepper spray. Boxers have a saying "Stick and Move" well the same applies here. Just remember "Spray and Move", "Spray and Move". Once the threat is eliminated seek help and call the police. You may also wish to get a Tactical Use of Defense Spray Manual. It is loaded with useful tips on using defense sprays.

What is pepper spray made of? Pepper spray is a derivative of Cayenne pepper. The oils are extracted from the pepper using a high-pressure process. This process leaves you with the active ingredient in pepper spray known as OC or OleoResin Capsicum. The pure pepper extract is then diluted with an inert ingredient that reduces the SHU or Scoville Heat Unit to get it down to a useable SHU for pepper spray. SHU is a unit of measurement that determines how hot something is the rating goes from 1 million SHU up to 5 million SHU. 1 million SHU is detectable on the palette in concentrations as little as 1 part per million or 1 drop of OC in 1 million drops of water. All of our sprays are 2 million SHU and in much higher concentrations than 1 part per million.

Will my pepper spray expire? Yes. That is why we print an expiration date on every can of pepper spray. Usually this expiration date is 3 to 4 years from the date of purchase. Although the spray life is indefinite it does start to lose potency over time. Any use of the spray beyond the expiration date is HIGHLY unadvisable. We strongly advise you to replace your pepper spray every year! That way you are always assured of the potency of the spray.

How can I be assured my pepper spray will work when I need it?

You should get in the habit of testing your defense spray every 90 days. To do this first go outside and determine which direction the wind is blowing. Remember to always stand upwind from the direction you are spraying. Depress the firing mechanism for ½ second. This test should be performed upon purchase and every 90 days after that. Be aware that every time you test your spray you reduce the contents of the canister. If you are using a key chain model and you test regularly you will need to replace the unit every 9 to 12 months if you follow the recommended testing procedure above. See the reference chart on the back of the packaging for additional information.

What is Mace?

Just as many people mistakenly refer to tissue paper as “Kleenex” or refer to a photocopy as a “Xerox,” many people refer to defense sprays as “Mace.”

Mace is a brand name that carries a registered trademark owned by Mace Security International (MSI). MSI originally marketed a particular tear gas self defense spray. Today, Mace brand defense sprays either contain OC pepper, tear gas or both.

SafetyGearHQ.com carries Mace brand products.

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  What is Tear Gas?

  Pepper Spray vs. Tear Gas

There are three major chemicals used as tear gases:

1. CS2. CN3. CR

The first two are CS and CN, short for orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and chloroacetophenone, respectively.

A third, code named CR (dibenz(b,f)-1,4-oxazepin), has not come into civilian use.

Both CS and CN tear gas are synthesized chemicals known as lachrymators. A lachrymator is a substance that produces profuse tearing.

At standard temperature and pressure, these chemicals are actually white crystals with fairly low vapor pressures, not gasses, and they are not very soluble in water. In order to disperse them, they are suspended in a liquid carrier and aerosolized.

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  We Highly Recommend the Booklet “Tactical Use of Defense Sprays.”

  Are All Pepper Sprays the Same?

Pepper spray is not tear gas. Tear gas is not pepper spray.

Pepper spray is a defense spray. Tear gas can be used as a defense spray.

Two important differences between pepper spray and tear gas are:

1. Tear gas is an irritant, and therefore its effectiveness relies mainly on pain compliance.

Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent. The response to contact with pepper spray is involuntary which makes pepper spray a very effective weapon against drug or alcohol impaired assailants or animals that may not respond to pain.

As Doug Lamb writes in “Tactical Use of Defense Sprays” - When a person is sprayed with OC pepper spray, two things happen instantly. First, the person’s eyes clamp shut, hard. Not only that, but if that person does manage to force his eyes open, the person still cannot see because the OC dilates the capillaries and causes temporary blindness. Second, an immediate fit of uncontrollable coughing doubles the person over because the OC causes instant inflammation of the breathing tissues, restricting all but life support breathing. An assailant who is sprayed with OC stops what he is doing and stops what he is thinking – period. This is true even for those who are drunk, on drugs, or psychotic.

2. Tear gas has a high level of toxicity.

OC pepper spray is totally non-toxic.

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This 32-page booklet teaches choosing a defense spray, how to carry it, how to shoot it, what to do about multiple assailants, date rape protection, using defense sprays against guns and knives, home tactical use and much, much more about the realities of protecting yourself with defense sprays. Written by nationally recognized self-defense expert Doug Lamb.

Click here to see the “Tactical Use of Defense Sprays.”

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The Physical Effects of Pepper Spray

  How Can I Be Assured My Pepper Spray Will Work When I Need It?

No, all pepper sprays are not the same.

Pepper sprays are rated in two ways: Percentage of Oleoresin Capsicum in the agent itself, and the “hotness” of the spray, which is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU’s).

The percentage of OC has nothing to do with the SHU rating, and vice versa.

One of the biggest misconceptions about pepper spray is that the higher the OC percentage, the hotter and more effective the spray. In most cases, this could not be further from the truth. The best, fastest incapacitating pepper sprays in the world are from 2% to 10% OC. The lighter the fluid, the faster is penetrates the membranes.

So, the percentage of OC is important, but even more important is the SHU rating, as the percentage has nothing to do with the actual SHU rating or "hotness" of the spray. A pepper spray with 2,000,000 SHU’s is twice as hot as a pepper spray with 1,000,000 SHU’s. By the way, 2,000,000 SHU’s is a substantial rating for an effective pepper spray.

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Pepper Spray has four physiological effects that may be experienced:

1. Eyes – tearing, involuntary closing or complete closing due to dilation of the eye capillaries. Eyes will appear red/bloodshot for 30 to 60 minutes. People wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses will be equally affected.

2. Respiratory System – immediate inflammation, including swelling of the throat lining which can restrict the airway size. Respiratory functions return to normal within 10 to 45 minutes. The airway will be open enough to allow for sufficient oxygen flow for survival. Due to the reduced airway flow, the person will probably not receive enough oxygen to continue fighting or other sustained physical exertion. Temporary paralysis of the larynx. Uncontrollable coughing, retching, and gasping for air with a gagging sensation in the throat.

3. Effect on the skin: inflammation of the exposed skin with a burning sensation.

4. Effects on muscle coordination: pepper spray exposure may cause a person to lose balance due to the effect of pepper spray on vision.

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  How Long Will My Pepper Spray Last?

  How is Pepper Spray Made?

  The History of Pepper Spray

You should get in the habit of testing your defense spray every 90 days. To do this first go outside and determine which direction the wind is blowing. Remember to always stand upwind from the direction you are spraying. Depress the firing mechanism for ½ second. This test should be performed upon purchase and every 90 days after that. Be aware that every time you test your spray you reduce the contents of the canister. If you are using a key chain model and you test regularly you will need to replace the unit every 9 to 12 months if you follow the recommended testing procedure above.

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Most pepper sprays have an expiration date stamped on the canister, usually 2 to 4 years from the time of manufacture.

Although the spray life is indefinite it does start to lose potency over time. Any use of the spray beyond the expiration date is highly unadvisable. We strongly advise you to replace your pepper spray long before the expiration date! That way you are always assured of the potency of the spray.

Take your old one to a safe place and target practice with it. Become familiar with how far it will spray, how to unlock it, etc. When practicing with your defensive spray, be aware of air movements and wind patterns and be very careful not to contaminate yourself.

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Pepper spray is derived from hot peppers. The oils are extracted from the hot peppers using a high-pressure process. This process leaves you with the active ingredient in pepper spray known as Oleoresin Capsicum, or “OC.” OC is a reddish-orange, oily liquid, insoluble in water. The pure pepper extract is then diluted with an inert ingredient that reduces the “hotness” of the extract to get it down to a useable level for pepper spray.

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  The History of Scoville Heat Units (SHU’s)

Oleoresin capsicum spray was developed at the University of Georgia by Professor James H. Jenkins and Dr. Frank Hayes, D.V.M., in 1960. That formula under the brand name Halt Animal Repellent was first sold in 1963. Like tear gas, oleoresin capsicum (OC) is non-lethal and induces temporary incapacitation with no known long-term effects. In 1989 the Firearms Training Unit (FTU) of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, completed three years of intensive research on OC, following which the FBI authorized the use of OC for its special agents and SWAT teams. In addition, OC has proven effective against domestic and wild animals without endangering the animals or the environment. OC, in proper dispensing systems, has been successfully used to stop grizzly bear attacks in Alaska and pit bull dog attacks in California and Texas. The US Postal Service also issues OC to its letter carriers and animal control facilities also issue animal repellent to its officers to protect them from dog bites.

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Scoville Heat Units (SHU's) is the measurement of the “hotness” of pepper.

All types of chili peppers, including green peppers, jalapenos, and habaneros, all contain an unusually powerful compound found in no other plant, an alkaloid called capsaicin.

Capsaicin is the horticultural term for the genus that chili peppers are classified. A single drop of tasteless and odorless capsaicin in 100,000 drops of water is very noticeable. In fact, capsaicin can be detected by humans at one part per million.

In 1912, pharmacologist Wilbur Scoville developed a standard for measuring the power of capsaicin: the Scoville Organaleptic Test.

Scoville measured exact weights of chili peppers and dissolved the capsaicin in alcohol. This solution was then diluted with sugar water until it was no longer detectable to the human palate. A panel of five taste testers would taste the solution and three of them had to agree before a value was assigned. If, for example, it took 1,000 parts of water to one part of capsaicin, it was said to have 1,000 Scoville Heat Units.

This method was useful for calculating the temperature of peppers used in many pharmaceutical products such has heat rubs. Today, high-performance liquid chromatography is used to measure the capsaicin content in peppers. It measures capsaicin levels in parts per million which is then converted to Scoville Heat Units (SHU’s). The pepper scale ranges from zero Scoville Heat Units for a bell pepper to 5,000 or so SHU’s for a jalapeno, to a whopping 200,000 to 300,000 SHU’s for a habanero. Pure capsaicin is 15,000,000 SHU’s.