Self-defense skills can come in handy in different situations. Not everyone has the opportunity to attend special courses or obtain permission for weapons. But there is still a way out. You can buy pepper spray, which does not need to issue additional permits. The main thing is to learn how to properly store and use your pepper spray. The consequences of thoughtless actions may not be very pleasant.
What are the spray cans?
Self-defense cans can be of two types: gas with CS marking and pepper with OC marking. In the first case, they spray gas, causing profuse lacrimation. In the second case - an extract of hot pepper, which provokes an attack of suffocation, burning of the skin and coughing.
It is believed that gas canisters protect more efficiently, but they may not work at all for a drunk or drug addict. In the case when pepper spray is used, the attacker will feel the consequences in any condition. You can even repel the attack of aggressive animals.
Content Spray Options
Pepper spray cans with different types of spraying:
- Inkjet option, that is, a directional jet with a long range of action. The option is suitable for people with good accuracy, but it makes self-defense difficult if there are several attackers.
- The aerosol option, that is, spraying occurs in the cloud, causing a larger area of damage. When using this option indoors, certain difficulties may arise, since it is easy to get into the pepper cloud yourself.
Volume Options
Pepper spray cans, the consequences of which we will consider, are available in several volumes:
- The minimum pocket option is 25 ml.
- The average option is 75 ml.
- The option for storage in a car or apartment is from 100 to 650 ml.
Rules to remember
To effectively protect yourself with a pepper spray, you need to remember a few rules that will help in dangerous situations.
Firstly, the spray can must be used. The first time you should buy two pieces in order to practice on one, and use the other for self-defense.
Secondly, the spray can should have a specific storage location. This is very important because you will not have time to search. In front of a dangerous section of the road it is generally worth taking in hand. Keeping a pepper spray in a woman’s handbag is a futile task. In an emergency , there is simply no time to unzip and find a means of self-defense in the bowels of your trunk. The attacker will have time to strike first.
Thirdly, after applying pepper spray you need to be prepared for two options for the development of the situation. You will either have to fight with a weakened opponent, or quickly run away.
Well and still, in the winter, if you overcool (froze) a pepper spray, the consequences can be quite sad. The effectiveness of the application will decrease significantly: instead of temporarily neutralizing the attacker, you will simply anger him.
Pepper spray action
Well, now let's find out how the pepper contents of the spray can work. Extract of hot pepper provokes severe irritation of the mucous membranes. In a mild case, the attacker begins to cough violently. If the moment of spraying coincided with a deep breath, then pulmonary edema is not excluded, and, with a tendency to allergies, the victim may suffocate. If asthmatic has been exposed to pepper extract, then death is also possible. Similar cases have been described in judicial practice.
If a cloud or jet of pepper spray gets into your eyes, the consequences are also very unpleasant. In addition to profuse lacrimation, blepharospasm occurs. The muscle of one or both eyes begins to contract uncontrollably, preventing it from opening its eyes. It will take the attacker time to blink, which means that you have the opportunity to escape.
If the can accidentally fell into the hands of children or you fell under the action of extracts of hot pepper yourself, then you should know the rules of first aid or self-help. If possible, an ophthalmologist should appear after the incident.
How to eliminate the consequences
If you fall under a stream or a cloud, it is advisable to quickly eliminate the consequences after a pepper spray. The algorithm of actions in this case is not very complicated:
- Do not rub your eyes, even if they are very baked and watery.
- Blink often so that tears wash out the pepper extract.
- Gently pat your eyes with a damp, alcohol-free cloth.
- Rinse your eyes with fat milk, then soda solution. Concentration - 20 g per 1 liter of water.
In the future, try to be careful when using a pepper spray. How to get rid of the consequences yourself, you now understand. And the ophthalmologist will further evaluate the degree of damage and recommend eye drops. Most often it is a banal "Albucid" or painkillers and anti-inflammatory drops with diclofenac. With severe burning, drops with lidocaine may be recommended, but they must be used strictly according to the instructions so that visual acuity does not decrease. You can only use Vizin on your own, but this remedy rather eliminates redness than helps to overcome the effects of contact with a pepper extract.
If you are allergic or asthmatic, then also see a doctor to avoid serious consequences from exposure to pepper spray.
Responsibility for using pepper spray
If the spray can is used for self-defense, then there will be no consequences for you. But if the irritant is used for no apparent reason, then this can be regarded as petty hooliganism. If harm is done to health, then liability will depend on the severity of the harm. If the spray can is used for no apparent reason and the victim has died, then criminal liability for causing death by negligence occurs.