The Pros & Cons of Pepper Spray

There are many choices for self-defense these days. A nonlethal option is pepper spray. The main ingredient is oleoresin capsicum, or OC, a compound made from hot cayenne pepper. The effect of pepper spray is temporary blindness and difficulty breathing, which can last up to 90 minutes.

Pros

• There are many pros to using pepper spray. It's an effective method for staving off an attacker from 8 to 20 feet away and can render them defenseless for at least 20 minutes, giving you plenty of time to get away. It's compact enough to keep in a purse or on a key chain, and it's inexpensive and widely available. You don't need any training to use pepper spray and its effects are not permanent. It's also a good defense against vicious animals.

Cons

• The biggest con while using pepper spray is the wind. If you are attacked outdoors and it's a windy day, there is a possibility that the spray could blow back into your face. It also comes with a lock on the trigger, which can be difficult to engage, and there is always the chance of an accidental discharge. There are restrictions in some states and you're not allowed to take it on a plane or in your luggage. Aerosol pepper sprays also can explode in extremely hot weather.

Facts

• Jalapenos, chiletpin, cayenne, and habanero chili peppers all contain capsaicin, the alkaloid from which OC is derived. Capsaicin is tasteless and odorless, and it's so powerful that even when put in water, the heat from it can be detected.

  Pepper spray is the number one choice of self-defense methods for women. Typically, pepper spray will expire after three to four years from the purchase date. You should replace it yearly because it loses its potency over time.