| Pepper spray (also known as OC spray-Oleoresin | | | | effects depend on the strength of the spray but the |
| Capsicum), or capsicum spray is an inflammatory | | | | average full effect lasts around thirty to forty-five |
| agent. (A chemical that irritates the eyes to cause | | | | minutes, with after effects lasting for hours. The |
| tears, pain, and temporary blindness) The spray is an | | | | strongest concentrations are 15% active ingredients |
| organically based inflammatory agent derived from | | | | and rated at 2 million scoville heat units. The high |
| the active ingredient of cayenne peppers. Pepper | | | | scoville heat rating is more important than the actual |
| spray typically comes in canisters, which are often | | | | percentage of pepper spray ingredients. |
| small enough to be carried concealed in a pocket or | | | | Pepper spray is often used to control riots or other |
| purse. | | | | violent situations as well as in self defense. A violent |
| Pepper spray causes immediate dilating of the eye | | | | assault occurs every 15 seconds in the US and |
| capillaries resulting in temporary blindness, temporary | | | | carrying defensive sprays are potent self defense |
| paralysis of the larynx (which causes subjects to lose | | | | products and safer than guns. Pepper spray is non |
| their breath), choking and coughing. The defensive | | | | lethal except under a few rare circumstances, |
| spray also will create an intense burning sensation on | | | | depending on pre-existing medical conditions. There is |
| the surface of the skin and nausea. The mucous | | | | rarely long term vision damage. |
| membranes will swell to prevent all but life support | | | | If one is infected with pepper spray, the best thing |
| breathing. After being sprayed subjects immediately | | | | to do is to blink constantly. This will induce tears that |
| cover their eyes and bend over into a defensive | | | | can wash the pepper spray out of ones eyes. |
| posture to avoid further contact. It is very | | | | Washing one's eyes with soap such as mild non-oily |
| uncomfortable and there is some pain associated with | | | | degreasing dishwasher detergent can help you relive |
| it. The result is temporary incapacitation, mostly due | | | | some of the pepper's irritation. The pepper spray has |
| to not being able to see or breathe properly. | | | | an effect of about half an hour until the effects |
| OC Spray may not be quite as effective on addicts, | | | | ware off. Pepper spray is illegal in certain countries |
| intoxicated or hysterical persons. You may have to | | | | such as UK, and requires a license in most other |
| spray them twice with a good burst of pepper spray | | | | countries including the United States, Canada, and |
| to have the desired effect. The length of the | | | | Sweden. |