How to Practice & Test Pepper Spray Safely (2024)

FAQs

Can you test your pepper spray? ›

An empty field or backyard is an ideal testing ground. Aim the pepper spray or pepper gel toward the ground or a target if you've set one up. Using your thumb, press the actuator to deploy a quick, 1/4-second burst. Observe the stream of pepper spray to ensure it deployed properly, and that the canister is not leaking.

We recommend replacing your spray at the expiration date shown on your pepper spray. The manufacturer cannot be held responsible if the spray has exceeded its expiration date or if the expiration date is no longer visible.

If the spray was used indoors, open doors and windows to air out the area right away. If exposed, you should remove your clothing and rapidly wash your entire body with large amounts of soap and water. Clothing that would usually be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead.

Physical effects

Some people describe a bubbling or boiling sensation and severe discomfort. Pepper spray can also have the following effects: a dry cough or wheezing. shortness of breath or an inability to breathe properly.

As part of their training, troops are subject to voluntary OC spraying and asked to perform crowd restraint exercises. The active ingredient in most OC sprays is a high concentration of pepper and alcohol, which is why “pepper spray” is commonly used to identify the spray.

Checked Bags: Yes

One 4 fl. oz. (118 ml) container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. Self-defense sprays containing more than 2 percent by mass of tear gas (CS or CN) are prohibited in checked baggage.

For a stream or gel spray pattern, we recommend an ear to ear deployment across the eyes for a more linear motion. For a cone or fog stream pattern, we recommend an up down deployment towards the center of the face.

Wash your skin with a cleansing solution, such as hand soap, shampoo or even dish soap, and rinse with water. Soaps help break up and remove the oil when water can't. Use a "no tears" baby shampoo to help rinse the pepper spray from the eye area.

SABRE products are police grade pepper spray—as a matter of fact, we're the #1 brand trusted by law enforcement worldwide.

Our first aid recommendation for pepper spray removal is to start with applying whole milk to the affected area. You can apply it to the effected area via a spray bottle, splash it directly on your skin, saturate a clean towel and lay it over the effected area or submerse the effected area.

How long does it take for pepper spray to wear off? ›

While you might be really scared and in pain, the effects of pepper spray usually wear off in about 15-30 minutes if you move to an area that's not contaminated.

Milk helps with pepper spray, but not tear gas.

While milk might provide some cooling relief to irritation, it doesn't do much to help people exposed to tear gas. “With pepper spray, milk helps break down those oils,” says Bhuyan.

WHAT IS MACE®? Frequently, the term "mace" is used interchangeably with "pepper spray," yet it's vital to understand that "Mace®" and "SABRE®" are both trademarked brand names. They don't represent distinct categories of self-defense sprays by themselves.

U.S. Coast Guard District 7

19)--A member of Coast Guard Station Charleston law enforcement team fights off would-be assailants after getting a dose of OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) pepper spray in shot in his eyes. This is a mandatory class which, is required to qualify boarding team members to carry OC pepper spray.

First, officers who are sprayed experience how uncomfortable a subject may be after being sprayed. This has two training benefits. Officers will refrain from using the OC spray on people unless absolutely necessary, and they will gain an understanding of how the OC will impact those they spray with it.

Pepper spray (sometimes referred to as “OC spray“) is a combination of natural chemicals, whereas tear gas (also called “CS gas“) comes from man-made compounds.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have authorized the use of pepper spray for self-defense in some form or another.

The US federal government uses CRC (capsaicin and related capsaicinoids) content for regulation. CRC is the pain-producing component of the OC that produces the burning sensation. Personal pepper sprays can range from a low of 0.18% to a high of 3%. Most law enforcement pepper sprays use between 1.3% and 2%.

Pepper spray can fail if the nozzle is clogged, rinse the nozzle if you do a test spray.