Pepper spray is one of the best selling products for self-defense. When used correctly, pepper spray can bring an attacker to his knees almost instantly. Oleoresin Capsicum, or OC pepper spray, is the most effective pepper spray on the market today. OC pepper spray is created from hot peppers, most commonly cayenne peppers, and its heat generating capacity is measured in Scoville Heat Units. Comparing the heat generated from pepper spray to the heat generated by something like a jalapeno pepper is like comparing apples to oranges. A good OC spray has a Scoville Heat Unit rating of 2 million while a jalapeno pepper only has an SHU rating of 5,000!

Pepper sprays come in a variety of categories when it comes to the way the spray comes out of the canister. Out of the different varieties, foggers are usually considered the best due to their range (usually 15 to 20 feet), and the fine mist created, which leaves attackers helpless almost instantly! The only drawback that foggers sometimes have, when compared to less effective products, is that foggers may have a few less shots in them. While this may seem like a severe drawback, you must keep in mind that a fogger will only require one shot, while another product may require multiple shots to be effective.

Properly carrying your pepper spray is important when placed in situations where you think extra safety precautions are necessary. If you are in a situation where you feel in danger, or your gut tells you that you may be in trouble, carry your pepper spray in your hand, out of its carrying case, and with the safety turned off. This will deter an attacker and hopefully make them move on to a less imposing target (or, preferably, decide not to attack anyone at all!) If you must use your pepper spray, make sure to at the very least aim at the general direction of the attacker, or in a best case scenario, aim directly at the attackers face. If you are using a fogger, spraying in the general direction of the attacker will do the job most effectively!

OC pepper spray is one of the best devices for self-defense on the market today. A good pepper spray, in some instances, can stop an attacker even more quickly than a firearm could! From a legal point of view, pepper spray is a much better choice than carrying a gun or other more lethal self-defense product. There is no permanent damage if someone is sprayed with the pepper spray, and because pepper spray is not considered deadly force, there are usually no permits required to carry it.