questions about pepper spray

[barbwire]

I was concidering carrying pepper spray for protecton, while traveling. I was wondering if the spray cans that you can buy have a safety feature built in so that you don't accidentally spray the stream in your own directon. You know, something like you could stick your finger in only one direction to activate spray. In a dire situation, you wouldn't want to mess around looking at a spray can to see if the nozzle is pointed in the right direction!

Also, I see that some states do not allow pepper spray. Why??? You would think that the law makers would want a person to be able to use a non lethal form of self protection. Heck I'll bet that those states do not allow the use of guns for self protection either. Oh well, another story!

One more question. Has anyone on here had to use it for protection? Was it effective? Does a person have ample time to get clear of someone, or something, after using it?

Advance thanks for any responses.

 

[scootergmc]

Most cans have one way triggers preventing deployment on yourself.



And generally if you use pepper spray, the fight is on. It's not immediate, it takes a few seconds or more for it to get working properly. And you can keep fighting while the spray is making you cough, spit and gag.



And if you're wondering, yes, I've been sprayed.

 

[barbwire]

I suppose using it in a head wind is not such a good idea either, huh!:-laf

I hope you came out of your squirmish alright. If you can tell me about it in a pm, I bet it would be an adventure in reading for me.

 

[WDixon27]

there will be some residual contact if you spray and hang around or theres a breeze, dumb chic discharged about a 1/4 - 1/2 second shot in our shop and rendered the building uninhabitable for a half hour or more "how do you use it? oh that's what you do" i walk in the back door a couple minutes after it happened about 30-35' away and my throat started closing up, then i found out why from the manager who was selling the units, i've never been sprayed but have been dusted a couple times by the fallout