You can choose to buy either Mace spray or Pepper Spray as a personal defense spray. Both work well against a potential assailant. There are some differences between the two but most importantly, it is something you can use for self defense if faced with an unwanted situation. Mace and pepper spray are ideal for men and women's self defense.

MACE vs PEPPER SPRAY

Mace and pepper spray are two different types of self defense sprays, even though the terms "Mace" and "pepper spray" are frequently talked about as if they were the same substance.

MACE DEFENSIVE SPRAY

Mace is a brand name. Mace spray either contains OC pepper, tear gas or both. Mace is a lachrymatory agent containing a chemical compound that irritates the eyes and causes pain and even temporary blindness. Mace was originally manufactured in 1962 under the name "Chemical Mace" by Lake Erie Chemical (a former division of Smith & Wesson), but is now a registered trademark of Mace Security International (MSI). The Mace products sold today by Mace Security International is pepper spray rather than tear gas, however you can still buy tear gas products from MSI. Many other companies now manufacture similar products.

TEAR GAS

Tear gas works by irritating mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and causes crying, sneezing and coughing. Tear gas was first used in 1915, Lachrymatory agents are most commonly used for riot control and chemical warfare. For instance, tear gas and pepper spray are commonly used for riot control. During World War I more toxic lachrymatory agents were used. Certain chemical agents are often used by police to assist in bringing certain persons under control.

PEPPER SPRAY

Pepper spray is also referred to as OC spray ("Oleoresin Capsicum"), OC gas, and capsicum spray. It is also a lachrymatory agent that irritates the eyes, causes pain and even temporary blindness. Pepper spray is used in riot control, crowd control, and personal self defense. It is commonly used against humans, dogs and bears. It is considered a less lethal agent used for self defense and may be deadly in very RARE cases. As of 1995, the ACLU reported and documented 26 individuals who were subject to police action who actually died following exposure to pepper spray. Pepper spray was not listed as the cause of death in any of these cases.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN PEPPER SPRAY

The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin. Capsaicin is a chemical agent derived from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus, including chilis. The extraction of OC from pepper plants involves finely ground capsicum, from which capsaicin is extracted in an organic solvent such as ethanol. The solvent is then evaporated, and the remaining resin is the OC. An emulsifier is used to suspend the OC in water, and pressurized to make it in to aerosol for pepper spray. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is used to measure the amount of capsaicin in the pepper spray. Scoville Heat Units (SHU) are used to measure the concentration of pepper spray. Pepper spray typically comes in canisters. These pepper spray canisters are often small enough to be carried or concealed in a pocket or purse. You can also buy pepper spray that is concealed in lipstick, perfume, pens, pagers and rings.

AEROSOL SPRAY

Some pepper sprays and/or Mace sprays are considered to be an aerosol spray. Aerosol sprays are a type of dispenser which creates an aerosol mist of liquid. This can be used with a can or bottle that contains a liquid under pressure. When the container's valve is opened, the liquid is forced out as an aerosol or mist from a small hole. As gas expands to drive out the payload, some propellant evaporates inside the can to maintain an even pressure. Outside the can, the droplets of propellant evaporate rapidly, leaving the payload suspended as very fine particles or droplets.

EFFECTS OF MACE AND PEPPER SPRAY

The effect that Mace has on humans varies. The most common effect is a burning sensation on the area that was sprayed. If Mace comes in contact with your eyes, it causes automatic shutting of the eyes due to the intense pain if opened. Combined with feeling like you are suffocating and if the Mace is inhaled, it can cause the person to be very vulnerable and dependent, resulting in easy overpowering. The effects of Mace can be small on those under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The duration of the effects vary from 30 minutes for up to 2 hours, depending on the person and treatment received.

911

It is believed that Mace was used during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, by the hijackers to keep the passengers in the rear of the plane and to prevent them from entering the first-class area. The official 9/11 Commission Report states that "The hijackers quickly gained control and sprayed Mace, pepper spray, or some other irritant in the first class cabin, in order to force the passengers and flight attendants toward the rear of the plane."

PEPPER SPRAY TRAINING

Most law enforcement agencies require that their personnel become certified on personal defense spray devices such as pepper spray before using them in the field. For training purposes, police and law enforcement use inert units, which have the same mechanism but sprays an inactive solution.