How To Carry Pepper Spray
Most people have heard of pepper spray or Mace and understand that it is a very effective form of self defense.
It is actually the most popular non lethal weapon, even among law enforcement officers.
But many law abiding citizens are hesitant to purchase one because they don't know or are not sure of the best way to carry pepper spray.
How to carry a defense spray is a very easy question to answer, as there are multiple ways to do so.
It is essential to remember that any self defense weapon is only as effective as its availability in a crisis and your preparedness to use it.
Most physical assaults happen very quickly, often giving the victim only a second or two, at most, to react.
As you'll read later, you can overcome this, but only if your defense spray is readily available.
Here are some of the best methods of carrying one, as well as the best model options for different situation: What Size Should I Carry? It is recommended that you carry the largest pepper spray that is both legal in your region and practical for you.
Most areas restrict carrying anything over 4 ounces.
A 2 oz spray container can easily fit in most purses, but may be too unwieldy to comfortably keep on a belt.
A half ounce model will normally contain anywhere from 6 to 10 one second bursts.
This should be enough to resolve most situations, including against multiple attackers.
Keep in mind, however, the larger the unit, the further the range of spray.
Most half ounce units have a range of 6 to 8 feet, while a 2 ounce can have an effective range of up to 15 feet.
Carry One On A Key Chain The most popular civilian use pepper spray is the type you can attach on a keychain.
Since you will rarely, if ever, leave your home without your keys, you are not likely to forget it.
This also makes it easy to keep in your hand at times when you are most vulnerable, for example, when you are exiting or approaching your vehicle in a parking lot.
Not all formulations are created equal, so make sure to choose a reliable one for maximum effectiveness.
A good pepper spray should rate at least 2 million Scoville Heat Units and have a percentage ranging from 10% to 18%.
Most keychain models have either a flip top or a slide over activator.
Be familiar with how yours works.
You also want to choose one that has a quick keychain release.
This important feature allows you to easily detach the pepper spray from your keys.
For example, if an attacker approaches you when your keys are already in the ignition of your car, you can still access it quickly without having to remove your keys.
Keeping Pepper Spray In Your Purse Keeping pepper spray in your purse may allow you to easily carry a larger model.
The danger of this type of carry is allowing it to sit at the bottom of the purse.
This would make it difficult to get to when you are confronted by an attacker.
The best option for keeping it in your purse would be to clip it to the strap or the ring that holds the strap so you can conceal it, but have it readily accessible.
Carrying on Your Belt Keeping a container of pepper spray attached to your belt is also a good option.
Some models come with a molded holster that have a belt clip.
There are also separate holsters available for larger containers, such as the 2 and 4 ounce sizes.
Make sure you attach it to your belt in a position that is easy to get to, on your dominant hand side.
Carrying Pepper Spray While Jogging If you keep your keys in your hand while jogging, then, again, a key chain model would be best suited for you.
If, however, you keep your keys in a separate pocket, then a sports model would be the best option.
These models have a velcro type strap which you can easily and comfortably fit around the palm of your hand.
Like carrying a hand weight, this style will not interfere with your running but will be instantly ready for use.
Disguised Pepper Spray There are also a number of pepper sprays that are disguised as something else, making it possible to carry them discreetly.
The two top styles are the ones disguised as lipstick and pepper spray pens.
The lipstick style can be carried even in a small purse or clutch, making it ideal for a night on the town.
The pepper spray pen is suitable for professionals, such as real estate agents or home aide nurses, who routinely are in isolated circumstances with strangers.
The Importance of Practice Regardless of what style you choose, or where you choose to carry your pepper spray, there is one constant.
You should practice with it.
Know exactly how the activator works and create muscle memory by going through the motions.
Rehearse taking it off your keyring, or out of your purse to improve the time it takes you to do so.
Create "what if" scenarios in your mind.
Imagine situations where you are faced with an attacker.
How would you respond.
Don't underestimate the power of doing this.
Your brain will resort to its training in a crisis situation.
It is actually the most popular non lethal weapon, even among law enforcement officers.
But many law abiding citizens are hesitant to purchase one because they don't know or are not sure of the best way to carry pepper spray.
How to carry a defense spray is a very easy question to answer, as there are multiple ways to do so.
It is essential to remember that any self defense weapon is only as effective as its availability in a crisis and your preparedness to use it.
Most physical assaults happen very quickly, often giving the victim only a second or two, at most, to react.
As you'll read later, you can overcome this, but only if your defense spray is readily available.
Here are some of the best methods of carrying one, as well as the best model options for different situation: What Size Should I Carry? It is recommended that you carry the largest pepper spray that is both legal in your region and practical for you.
Most areas restrict carrying anything over 4 ounces.
A 2 oz spray container can easily fit in most purses, but may be too unwieldy to comfortably keep on a belt.
A half ounce model will normally contain anywhere from 6 to 10 one second bursts.
This should be enough to resolve most situations, including against multiple attackers.
Keep in mind, however, the larger the unit, the further the range of spray.
Most half ounce units have a range of 6 to 8 feet, while a 2 ounce can have an effective range of up to 15 feet.
Carry One On A Key Chain The most popular civilian use pepper spray is the type you can attach on a keychain.
Since you will rarely, if ever, leave your home without your keys, you are not likely to forget it.
This also makes it easy to keep in your hand at times when you are most vulnerable, for example, when you are exiting or approaching your vehicle in a parking lot.
Not all formulations are created equal, so make sure to choose a reliable one for maximum effectiveness.
A good pepper spray should rate at least 2 million Scoville Heat Units and have a percentage ranging from 10% to 18%.
Most keychain models have either a flip top or a slide over activator.
Be familiar with how yours works.
You also want to choose one that has a quick keychain release.
This important feature allows you to easily detach the pepper spray from your keys.
For example, if an attacker approaches you when your keys are already in the ignition of your car, you can still access it quickly without having to remove your keys.
Keeping Pepper Spray In Your Purse Keeping pepper spray in your purse may allow you to easily carry a larger model.
The danger of this type of carry is allowing it to sit at the bottom of the purse.
This would make it difficult to get to when you are confronted by an attacker.
The best option for keeping it in your purse would be to clip it to the strap or the ring that holds the strap so you can conceal it, but have it readily accessible.
Carrying on Your Belt Keeping a container of pepper spray attached to your belt is also a good option.
Some models come with a molded holster that have a belt clip.
There are also separate holsters available for larger containers, such as the 2 and 4 ounce sizes.
Make sure you attach it to your belt in a position that is easy to get to, on your dominant hand side.
Carrying Pepper Spray While Jogging If you keep your keys in your hand while jogging, then, again, a key chain model would be best suited for you.
If, however, you keep your keys in a separate pocket, then a sports model would be the best option.
These models have a velcro type strap which you can easily and comfortably fit around the palm of your hand.
Like carrying a hand weight, this style will not interfere with your running but will be instantly ready for use.
Disguised Pepper Spray There are also a number of pepper sprays that are disguised as something else, making it possible to carry them discreetly.
The two top styles are the ones disguised as lipstick and pepper spray pens.
The lipstick style can be carried even in a small purse or clutch, making it ideal for a night on the town.
The pepper spray pen is suitable for professionals, such as real estate agents or home aide nurses, who routinely are in isolated circumstances with strangers.
The Importance of Practice Regardless of what style you choose, or where you choose to carry your pepper spray, there is one constant.
You should practice with it.
Know exactly how the activator works and create muscle memory by going through the motions.
Rehearse taking it off your keyring, or out of your purse to improve the time it takes you to do so.
Create "what if" scenarios in your mind.
Imagine situations where you are faced with an attacker.
How would you respond.
Don't underestimate the power of doing this.
Your brain will resort to its training in a crisis situation.
Source...