Protecting yourself as well as your loved ones is paramount. On top of having a monitored home security system, you must also ensure that you are safe while outside the house. Pepper sprays and tasers are one of the most common self-defense tools that people use to protect themselves. You can decide to use either one of these tools or get the pepper spray and taser combo.
What Is Pepper Spray?
Pepper spray is one of the most commonly used defense products in the market today. It’s an inflammatory agent whose main component is Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). This is a natural substance derived from chili peppers. It causes inflammation to the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat.
Pepper sprays come in different forms and sizes. You can spray it in a stream, gel, fog, or foam and deter several attackers at once. It also comes in pocket-sizes that you can carry around without any difficulty. The effects of pepper spray are temporary and typically wear off in about 30 to 45 minutes.
What Is a Taser?
A taser is a handheld device used to incapacitate people by emitting a 50,000-volt electric shock. A taser fires two small darts up to a distance of about 35 feet maximum. Once the darts come in contact with the target’s skin and deliver an electric shock, the nervous system of the attacker begins to break down.
The effects on the assailant cause intense pain and therefore give you a chance to escape before they wear off. These effects take anywhere between 5 to sixty minutes before they can wear off.
Pepper Spray and Taser Set
Owning a pepper spray or a taser individually works perfectly okay. However, it’s not uncommon for someone to want extra protection in order to feel safe while outside the house. For this reason, the manufacturers of self-defense products have come up with a pepper spray and taser set.
This is a combination of the two tools in one. You can decide which one to use in the unfortunate event that you are attacked. These sets come in a variety of forms and colors therefore you can purchase a pink pepper spray and taser if that’s your preference. Both of these items have their pros and cons. Owning both gives you an upper hand in case one falls short of giving you the protection you need. Ensure you consider the laws surrounding the purchase and possession of both before you decide to buy.
Pepper Spray Vs Taser
If you’re looking for a non-lethal self-defense weapon that you can use at home or in the street, you may wonder what is better pepper spray or taser. Protecting yourself and your loved ones is paramount hence you need to find the best tool to help you with that.
Both pepper sprays and tasers are effective and reliable self-defense weapons. Several factors make a pepper spray or taser better for you to have. Comparing the two helps you make a smart decision on what’s the best choice for you. Some of these factors include:
Reliability
Both pepper spray and tasers offer an almost immediate defense from any form of attack. When considering which is better pepper spray or taser, you need one that is most reliable. Immediately pepper spray comes in contact with an assailant’s face, they begin to feel an irritation in their eyes, nose, throat, and skin. The attacker immediately starts having trouble breathing.
On the other hand, a taser takes a few seconds to work and has to be in contact with the attacker for it to work. The effects of pepper spray last for about 30 minutes whereas those of a taser can last anywhere between 5 and sixty minutes. Pepper spray has a longer range and therefore requires you to be accurate with your aim and discharge. From that we can ascertain that modern-day pepper spray is more reliable.
Ease of Use
When determining is pepper spray or taser better the ease of use is a major consideration. Both are easy to use. However, one thing sets them apart. When warding off an attacker, you must be able to hit a target at a safe distance. In this case, a taser is better than a pepper spray.
The aim of a pepper spray is prone to the effect of factors such as the wind. Some users end up accidentally using the pepper spray on themselves. You have to take account of the wind when using your pepper spray which can be difficult to do while stressed or under pressure.
Some tasers can shoot up to 15 feet away from the attacker making it easier to aim safely. You also don’t require any physical contact with your attacker to discharge.
Safety Concerns
What’s worse pepper spray or taser? Both a taser and a pepper spray have safety mechanisms in place to ensure that there is no accidental discharge or spillage.
In some instances, an attacker may take your weapon from you. For some tasers, they have a safety pin that’s attached to a lanyard. This tether detaches and renders your taser useless once it’s taken from your hands.
Legality
Another critical aspect to consider when deciding whether to get pepper spray or stun is its legality. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states. As long as you adhere to the specific laws such as age restrictions, criminal record, and amount of pepper spray, you are free to carry and use pepper spray.
Tasers are legal in most states but there are exceptions. In some, you need a permit to own and carry one whereas in others it’s entirely illegal.
Conclusion
When it comes to what’s worse pepper spray or taser, it all depends on your personal needs. You have to consider the legality, reliability, safety, and ease of use for each of these self-defense weapons. You can then make a decision on which one is better between a pepper spray vs a stun gun.
Written by: Georgina Njoki
Freelance Copywriter and Travel Enthusiast.
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