Pepper spray was used by a woman to fend off an attacker in Eugene, Oregon.
Walking along a bike path late last Saturday night, she passed a male coming from the opposite direction, and he greeted her as they passed. Glancing back over her shoulder, she saw the man approaching her.
On the alert, she had already pulled out her pepper spray. Her assailant pushed her onto the ground, giving her abrasions. She screamed, and the culprit put his hand over her mouth and threatened her.
She then sprayed the man and kept screaming, causing him to run away.
Pepper spray is one of the most effective ways for a woman to stop an attacker. It is a lachrymatory agent: it tears up the eyes. It contains the oil oleoresin capsicum. Capsaicin in the oil is the same agent that makes chili peppers so hot. Its concentration in pepper spray is much greater.
The heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units. Bell peppers register a 0 on the scale; jalapeno peppers measure 2,500 to 5,000 on the scale. On the other hand, pepper sprays measure from 2,000,000 units for commercially available sprays to 5,300,000 units for police-issue spray. Oleoresin capsicum, or OC, also is the basis for bear sprays.
One brand, Pepper Shot Pepper Spray is made with 1.2% Major Capsaicinoids. The Major Capsaicinoids are the true heat measure and Pepper Shot 1.2% MC is more effective than of most other pepper sprays. In addition to causing an attacker pain, The Pepper Shot 8.5% oleoresin capsicum formula swells the mucous membranes, which makes breathing difficult, and swells the veins in the eyes, causing the eyes to close. It’s made from 2,000,000 SHU’s of raw pepper and these effects can last up to 45 minutes and cause no permanent damage. WildFire has the hottest on the market at 1.4% Major Capsaicinoids. In addition to causing an attacker pain, The WildFire 10% oleoresin capsicum formula swells the mucous membranes, which makes breathing difficult, and swells the veins in the eyes, causing the eyes to close. It’s made from 2,000,000 SHU’s of raw pepper and these effects can last up to 45 minutes and cause no permanent damage. Has a UV identifying dye to help aid in the identification of an attacker.
We have it available in many sizes and colors, as well as in a lipstick-like case.
Using pepper spray has saved more than one woman.