Teach me about pepper spray/mace

[Wonder Bread]

Crosspost from TFR for those who "don't go there".

As a resident of Massachusetts under 21 (I'm 19), I can't carry a concealed firearm. This leaves me options such as pepper spray/mace and a knife. I travel into Boston at least once a month, and I go to college in Lowell, both of which aren't the nicest of places.

To be completely honest, I'm not keen on carrying a knife for multiple reasons, including the fact I am relatively weak and would probably end up doing more damage to myself if it came down to it.

This leaves me with pepper spray/mace, of which I know little about. What's the difference between the two, is there a preferred "brand", and what technique does using it involve? Also, is it legal to possess pepper spray/mace on campus grounds? I haven't seen anything specific on the matter.

Thanks in advance.

[Scarecrow411]

Not commenting on the laws, just the effectiveness. Also, I figure I'll post this here for the first time rather then on "that other place" for the tenth.

Technique: As always, try to stay ahead of the curve. Remain aware and avoid potential jackassery/drama. OC may not be the best tool for the job if the wind is blowing the wrong way, children are present or (don't laugh) it's raining. Hold mace one handed at eye level, second hand shields mouth an nose. Press "The Hurt Button" down and aim for eyes, nose and mouth. Be generous! Issue commands, escape, whatever.

What to expect: They say about 10% of the population isn't affected by OC. Should you score pay dirt, though, the attacker will experience skin irritation (sun burn), burning eyes, a mucus faucet nose, a spit faucet mouth. These induced conditions should be enough to allow you to overcome your attacker and escape.

What not to expect: Pepper Spray is not "the one answer." When you whip it out the attacker is not going to throw up his hands and go "Well shit! Maybe next time!" You must be prepared to use it. You must be prepared to continue to fight after it's been employed.

Get an inert training unit and a good friend and play it out starting at arms reach. Alternate plan, get drunk friend to agree to use live unit.*

*Unless you want to clean up vomit don't do this at your place.

Types: I suggest "Stream" style, though "Foam" is popular. Unless you're clearing out a room Fogger/Mist probably isn't the answer.

I go on YouTube and there's a bunch of videos of cadets and boots getting OC'd and then continuing to fight/run obstacle courses/arrest people! This stuff can't be effective!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIwsLXl9CSY

Yup. How many of them are using their eyes and how many of them are being led by someone or called by someone and punching/kicking a static bag? There's a few that have a lethargic redman... Again, pepper spray is not 100% effective 100% of the time, but don't let confidence builders skew your view of it's effectiveness.

What about this Kimber stuff?

IMHO, an answer to a quesiton no one asked. A standard OC canister contains "Enough Uses to Stop a Bajillion Attackers!" and costs ~$10. Which is great, not because a clan of ninjas might jump you, but because you may have to steer the stuff on target.

The Kimber unit contains two charges and costs $30. Buy a couple and practice, because even the guy in the demo misses a stationary target at 9 feet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzkd_GvTe5Q&feature=related

[N183CS]

I got OC'd a few years ago for work, it was mandatory in order to be able to carry a firearm. The idea was that you had to be prepared to take an accidental spray and still be effective and not let the attacker have the upper hand. We did it like the guys in that youtube video, they stood about 10 feet away, had us close our eyes and sprayed our foreheads/upper faces with a direct spray. Even without direct eye contact it will immediately cause most people's eyes to slam shut and for me there was no way my eyelid muscles were going to hold my eyelids open without severe pain. I had to hold one eye open with my fingers to be able to see my attacker, and trust me it feels like the worst sunburn you have ever had magnified by 10. My advice would be to use it as a chance to escape and get help, rather than fight back as it is still possible for an attacker to be pumped up on adrenaline enough to be able to inflict some serious harm, especially if that was their initial intent. You must be prepared to be exposed yourself as well, in case the wind isn't favoring your particular situation. If you are accidentally exposed be prepared to physically hold one eye open to be able to see. It definitely isn't something to be taken lightly. I'd rather take a full sucker punch in the nose than be OC'd again.

[Scarecrow411]

If the dude you just maced is intent on harming you and you decide to stick around, you'll end up coming into contact with OC, as well as snot and spit. So, N1183CS's advice to use the window of opportunity created by the mace to escape. As an aside, I read/heard somewhere of the more hardned prison inmates slinging foam back at cops.

I tried to dig around for fights involving OC, but damned if youtube doesn't pull up a bunch WB sitcom stuff. Likewise, Mace = Jedis and Ye Olde Ren Faire. Here's what I could find:

Spray action starts at 0:42

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nsqoUSm0pcY

Spray action at 1:37

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZPMKjMirWnQ

In fight access is huge if you're caught unaware. Even if you anticipate the problem, no ones going to mug you at 8 feet. You'll most likely need the spray at arms reach. It's fair to expect blows to be traded as well as some foot work to be needed. If a second assailant, knife, impact weapon or gun is involved, deploying pepper spray probably won't help you see tomorrow morning.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_spray) has some info as well.

Spray typically weighs in as "non-lethal" in the force continium, though in some areas (private companies/departments) it's the same level as lethal. If you're interested in the effects of pepper spray my recommendations are:

Spray a dab in the sink, take a nice deep breath. Invite friends to do the same. After you recover, run sink.

If you want the total experience, some disclaimer about respiratory problems and expert supervision comes to mind:

Take your shirt off, if you wear contacts, remove them and set aside 45 minutes of your life, have a friend or two present. Once you've had enough, take a couple splashes of water to the face, dab yourself dry with a towel, blink and walk around. Additional water will just undo and progress you've made.

Protip: Don't go to the bathroom until after you've showered.

When next you shower, use cold water (keeps pores closed) and rinse your hair thoroughly and avoid the runoff. Expect mild irritation.

[highmeh]

The need to use spray does not always occur outdoors.

I was at a concert a few years back, when someone decided to smack someone else with a folding chair. The very young security guard (couldn't have been more than 18) whips out his pepper spray and starts dousing the two brawlers.

Within about 30 seconds, the whole building (it was a community center) was cleared out, and they had to call two ambulances...I was on the far-opposite side of the incident, and I could still feel my eyes burning and my throat clogging up, though not anywhere near the extent of the folks immediately surrounding the fight.

At the end of the day, a little situational awareness of where you are and where non-threatening people are in relation to you will go a long way.