Crime Prevention and Security Tips
SELF-DEFENSE
AND
THE USE OF PEPPER SPRAY
In a perfect world we would have no need to defend ourselves from outside aggression. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. There are many reasons why you should carry a personal defense weapon like pepper spray; however, you should know the advantages and disadvantages to every personal defense weapon and pepper spray is no exception. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages to pepper sprays:
- Pepper spray should be considered a distraction device to buy you time to escape, and not a personal weapon that always incapacitate an aggressor.
- The effects of pepper spray wear off after 30 to 45 minutes, but may have some residual effects days later.
- It can be kept readily accessible in your backpack, purse, and/or hand.
- The response to pepper spray is involuntary (not dependent on pain response) by causing a physical reaction from the mucous membranes—eyes, nose, and lungs. The results are near loss of sight (temporary) and a severe restriction of upper and lower respiratory breathing.
- Pepper spray may be ineffective on certain ethnicities because of their high consumption of hot spices in their foods. Their bodies have developed some immunity to react to pepper sprays, and the defensive spray maybe less effective.
February 2, 2009
- OC is short for oleoresin capsicum which is an oily organic substance of distilled hot red peppers of the capsicum species.
- It is comprised of the red pigment found in many red vegetables (red peppers).
- Its compounds are responsible for it’s pungency, and
- There are 15 different capsaicin compounds found in OC which are responsible for the heat which makes it a good defensive weapon.
Are all pepper sprays the same?
Solution ratios and the amount of propellant differ, but to make things simple UKPD would recommend that you purchase what all our officers use on-duty; the model MK-3 from First Defense. This can be obtained through any police/fire equipment company.
Are pepper sprays effective against animals?
Pepper sprays are equally effective against most animals.
Are pepper sprays harmful to humans and/or animals?
There is absolutely no lasting effect on man or animals. Pepper spray is all organic. Although we do recommend that you avoid any pepper spray that contains methylene chloride as a propellant. This chemical has been known to cause permanent blindness if sprayed into the eyes.
How far should my product spray?
Most good products (as mentioned above) can spray up to 12 to 14 feet. A good product should also have a stream spray and not aerosol type mist. Stream type sprays help the deployed pepper from coming back into your face, and creates distance between you and your aggressor.
What about the pocket size or key ring sprays? Are they Effective?
It is the University Police Department’s opinion that these types of sprays are ineffective, and gives a false sense of security. The size of the container and the nozzle inhibits the proper amount of deployed pepper from an effective distance, and/or pattern to be a practical defensive weapon.
What should I do once I’ve purchased a canister of pepper?
OC has a tendency to separate itself from the propellant in the canister and should be shaken from time to time to mix the two. Secondly, test your canister in an outside area to make sure that it will spray (work). You don’t want to discover that your purchased pepper spray doesn’t work when you need it to defend yourself. Finally, you cannot effectively defend yourself if your pepper spray canister is in your backpack or purse. When you are traveling from one destination to another—have your pepper spray readily available!
Is pepper spray allowed on campus?
The Student Code Of Conduct and University policy permits the possession and carrying of pepper spray as a defensive weapon; however, if it is used in any offensive and/or negligent manner a person will be looking at administrative sanctions and/or criminal liabilities.
For more information contact:
Community Affairs Office
University of Kentucky Police Department
PH: 859-257-5108