Why You Shouldn't Use Pepper Spray
I don't think that it really needs much explanation, but an aerosol like pepper spray does not do real well when there is wind. It's made incrementally worse when that wind is blowing in the wrong direction, at you. You can imagine what spraying it at someone and having it come flying back in your face does for your chances in a bad situation. Sure, there are different versions of pepper spray, like pepper foam, but even those are not all they are cracked up to be. I'd still warn you against using anything like this unless you're willing to test it.
Ladies, ever put hair spray on in a small bathroom and it forms a cloud? Well, that same thing can happen with pepper spray. A confined space is not where you want to use this stuff unless you want it bouncing back into your eyes as well.
Pepper spray is a less-than-lethal solution, but if the situation requires more and this is all you have, then you're up a creek, as they say. It does not replace the use of a firearm or blade when it comes to giving you the greatest chance for surviving a violent attack. As you can probably tell, I'm personally not the biggest fan of this self-defense product. I just see too many issues with it in real-world applications. So before you trust your life or the life of a loved one to a can of pepper spray, do more research and testing.
Whatever you choose to use at the end of the day, remember to train the hell out of it, just don't shove it in a pocket and move on. The same principle applies to any tool you carry; we cover this in depth in Are Self Defense Keychains Legal?, and it starts with the awareness skills we break down in The Psychology of Situational Awareness.
A few years back, a women's truck drivers group called me for a seminar event. They had proudly purchased pepper spray for their drivers, until we talked, that is.
Stay safe,
Justin J. Everman
FAQ
Does Pepper Spray Work in the Wind?
Poorly. Wind can carry the aerosol off target or blow it back into your own face, taking you out of the fight. Even pepper foam has limits; test anything before you trust it.
Is Pepper Spray Safe in Confined Spaces?
No. In a hallway, car, or small room it can form a cloud, like hair spray in a small bathroom, and affect you as much as the attacker.
Will Pepper Spray Stop a Violent Attacker?
Not reliably. It's a less-than-lethal tool, and if the situation requires more force and it's all you have, you're at a serious disadvantage.
Should I Still Carry Pepper Spray?
If you do, research it, test it in realistic conditions, and train with it extensively. An untested tool in a pocket creates a false sense of security.
What's Better Than Pepper Spray?
Training. Mental, verbal, and physical self-defense skills work in the wind, in confined spaces, and when a tool fails or can't be reached.
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