Over the years, personal safety has become of great importance to several individuals. This has contributed to the innovation of self-defense tools such as pepper spray. Although originally designed for use against animals, it’s mostly used today by women and law-enforcement officers. Pepper spray can only be one hundred percent effective with the right pepper spray training for both officers and civilians.
Pepper spray stands out as a top choice for a majority of people looking to find a reliable, effective, and easy-to-carry tool due to its power and non-lethal qualities. By wielding it correctly you are able to escape from your attacker and if you are a law enforcer, you can stop a riot or prevent an aggressive civilian from escaping detainment. This article highlights the importance of pepper spray training and why you should consider it before getting a can.
What Is Pepper Spray?
Pepper is a non-lethal, self-defense tool whose main component is Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). This chemical compound found in pepper spray irritates the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, and skin once it gets in contact with these areas.
Although the effects are temporary and maximally last around 45 minutes, they are enough to allow their user to stop their assailant before they get to them and also prevent them from moving. OC is derived from the same plant species as chili peppers hence the burning sensation that comes with pepper spray.
Pepper spray has a rapid mechanism of action hence making it one of the best choices when your situation does not require any lethal action. The extreme discomfort, temporary paralysis, and blindness give the user a brief but critical opportunity to evade any threat and seek help before the effects begin to wear off.
The use of pepper spray is quite controversial since it can be used for the wrong reasons and in the wrong situations which is a crime with severe legal charges. This is why it’s important for people who intend to use this tool to find out what is OC training? And why do I need it? Having vital knowledge on how to use this tool betters your chances of protecting yourself and avoiding any criminal charges.
Why Is Training for Pepper Spray Important?
Pepper spray is a popular tool that offers several benefits such as portability, ease-of use, cost-effective, and broad application. However, its efficacy is mainly based on how you use it and why. This is why you need pepper spray training despite it being such a simple tool.
In order to hit a certain target with your pepper spray can, you need the right techniques that will help you aim correctly. Remember that this is a self-defense tool and as is with others under the same caliber, you need to learn how to use it. It’s easy to miss the target and instead cause self-exposure if you don’t have the right aiming skills.
Once you’ve gone through training you are able to understand the tool’s mechanics better and you are less likely to panic and make a mistake compared to someone with no training. OC spray training equips you with the dos and don’ts of pepper spray, the safe distances, the right situations you can use it, and the legal implications that come with using it wrongly.
Pepper spray has limitations when it comes to its use. You are not allowed to use this tool in any situation you deem fit as this may land you in a lot of legal trouble. Training emphasizes these situations and ensures that you know exactly when pepper spray is the ideal solution for a situation.
Types of Pepper Spray Training
There are two main types of pepper spray training which include civilian training and law-enforcement training. Civilian pepper spray training mainly happens during the purchase process or before you buy it. This is why it’s important to buy your tool from a licensed manufacturer or firearm dealer. During this training you get to understand how and when to use your pepper spray. Ensure you look up pepper spray training near me to know where you can get these services.
Law enforcement pepper spray training on the other hand, is a vital step incorporated when military or police officer training. It also includes an OC exposure program where military officers are sprayed with pepper spray.
Pepper spray exposure and training allows an officer to understand this tool better and how to handle spraying as well as being sprayed. It helps them determine how they can function in case someone decides to use the spray on them. Exposure also shows how fast it works or doesn’t work. This will help them plan when and how to use it in the future.
Pepper Spray Instructions
Using pepper spray correctly is the main skill you should master before deciding to use it in any situation. There are a few steps you must follow to allow you to do this;
Keep Your Pepper Spray Close
As a self-defense tool, you may not always know when you might need it. Therefore, ensure that you keep your pepper spray in close proximity. Most pepper spray brands ensure that their tools are portable and you can carry them around with ease. You can either use a keychain, or a belt clip or holster to hold your pepper spray.
Hold Your Pepper Spray Correctly
The correct way of holding your pepper spray is by using the thumb of your dominant hand to deploy it. Once you’ve placed your spray in the palm of this hand, form a fist and use your thumb to release it. By doing this, you are able to secure your spray whilst preventing your attacker from grabbing it.
Check the Range of Your Spray Before Using it
One critical aspect that is considered when determining how to pass the pepper spray test is knowing the range of your spray. This refers to how far your product goes when you spray and what distance you need to be to ensure your aim is effective. You must ensure that while spraying you are at a safe distance and your attacker cannot get to you before you can successfully spray them and move to safety.
Best Pepper Spray Tips
Purchasing and using pepper spray can be quite a challenging thing especially without the right tips and guidelines. The first thing you must do is determine the right pepper spray for you. Due to their popularity, there are a lot of pepper spray brands in the modern day. Therefore, it’s important to know which one will work well with you.
To determine the best pepper spray for you, consider what you intend to use it for as well as the conditions you are living in. Dangerous locations call for strong pepper sprays with higher potency due to the level of danger.
The second tip is, consider the weather and climate conditions of the place you are in. Some pepper sprays work better in windy areas whereas others are ineffective in these areas and will most likely lead to self-exposure.
Portability and cost-effectiveness are two other tips you must consider when it comes to pepper sprays. You need something you can carry easily and for some, it’s easier for them to carry it attached to their belt or keychain. Ensure your pepper spray comes with a clip so as to allow you to attach it if you prefer this option. Also, work within your budget. Self-defense does not need to break your bank and you can find something that works great and still fits your budget.
Conclusion
We live in a world where danger is imminent. You can be going home from work or in your law enforcement line of duty when unexpected danger strikes. For this reason, it’s important that you are able to protect yourself as well as others in these scenarios.
Pepper spray is one of the most common self-defense tools that most people opt for. However, it’s important to know that the efficacy of pepper spray relies on how well you use it. This is why pepper spray training for both civilians and law enforcement officers is important. You get to learn how and where to use this tool, the instructions, tips, and implications that come with wrongful use.
Research any credible pepper spray training near your area to ensure you learn exactly what you need.
Written by: Georgina Njoki
Freelance Copywriter and Travel Enthusiast.
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