Good Pepper Spray for self defense?

Hey there, Ladies and Gents. I've been looking online for a self defense item for my significant other who regularly comes back from work at late hours when the drunk people in campus are out and looking for trouble. It already happened that somebody chased her to her car tonight... literally was saying things to her and when she got scared and ran to her car, this guy ran behind her.

I checked out taser guns or stun guns, but they're quite pricy (the ones that have enough voltage to bring down a grown person) and then I became about several discussions on whether pepper spray or mace would do a better job.

The argument is that mace is an irritant, like tear gas, for example, it may make your eyes blurry and teary but you still can move around etc. And if under the influence of drugs, mace isn't as effective.

The pepper spray, according to the findings, is an inflamatory. It has major amounts of capsaiacin (is the chemical that gives chilli peppers their heat and is measured in scoville units) that cause inflammation of the capillaries of the eyes and skin causing temporary blindness, nausea, breathing difficulties and an intense burning sensation and it is said it will stop anyone in their tracks unless trained to withstand the effects, but still only some military are trained this way.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with any of these products? What are the most prestigious and most effective brands or if you ever had to use one, what was it and how effective did it turned out to be?


Thanks in advance for your opinions.


- Milton.

 

The stuff sold to civilians is diluted compared to what the police carry. And still that isn't going to stop anyone in their tracks. Back in my younger days I was sprayed and the only effect it had on me was I couldn't see.
I think the closest you could come to the most concentrated spray would be the stuff made to repel bears. Couldn't get that sized canister in a purse or coat pocket though.
I hear Smith&Wesson makes a good self defense weapon.

 

Yeah I'm not sure about the concentration of the civilian stuff but the police/military version is much more powerful. Trust me I had to get sprayed in order to carry the stuff, it's brutal. Maybe make a pit stop into your local gun and ammo store and see what they suggest.

 

The best bet would be someone that could walk her to her car. Is there not anyone around she could buddy up with? Campus security?

I'd go for the pepper spray (or the Smith & Wesson LOL).

 

When a member of the Coast Guard is training to become a boarding team member they have to get pepper sprayed (so they know what it feels like as well as to be able to defend themselves in th event of a fight breaking out)..Some people it's highly effective (irritating) and others none what's so ever

Take self defense course and buy her a gun and get her a weapons permit.

Like the other poster stated, some people who are on drugs are so strung up that pepper spray has no effect on them (and my sister who is a cop could probably vouch for it. She has seen a guy on Meth who took 5 police officers to get down)

 

That is scary Im sorry to hear that. Im 20 and im 4'10 and like 98 pounds... needless to say I definitely understand the need for protection.. I have been followed before and I was freaked out... I am curious to see peoples responses. I was going to get some pepper spray or mace as well.. what about a gun? As soon as Im 21 im getting my concealed weapons permit for my gun I have a TCP 380 its perfect sized maybe you could look into that?? Its really expensive but worth it!

 

well magus I work for the police dept. here and can suggest a few things ;D

I have been sprayed and I can say they probally wont mess with you to much

It feels like you are drowning above water and HURTS like fire and brim stone.

there is not a segnificant diffrence between the spray that the public gets and we get its all the same if you know what to look for, Fox makes the hottest and best brand out IME there just make sure and try to get the foam and not anything else because it gets everywhere.

also there are the gell pepper guns, non-lethal but boy they pack a serious punch....

but unless guns are your thing I wouldent suggest it because gunjs in a school are asking for trouble.

just my 2 cents but my wife carrys fox and it has worked great before ;D hope this helps

 

im going to suggest against any weapon. she really needs to be escorted or picked up. My wifey used to work the evening shifts at the hospital(4-midnight) between work and home was a 15 min walk by McDonalds and a half-mile park...most common spots for drunks, dealers and gangs of young men. there is no way i would let her go alone. pepper spray may stop one person but harassing women is usually a group activity. unless she's cool with carrying a REAL gun.

 

one other thing conceled wepons cant be carryed everywhere in my state including schools or places of public gathering, a tazer or stun gun works but is unefective with more than one person.

I know because I have been jumped in the mall with a group of friends and family there (ex-inmates 5) and thats really the only defense are groups and friends

I carry 45 M&P but cant always carry it every where I go next best defence A group or non-lethal for a scare factor (anyone who is taser certified knowes what im talking about) ;D

 

Thats so weird? whats the point of having a concealed weapon if you can't carry it to places of public gathering.. I'll have to check out my state laws... I plan on carrying mine, especially when I would not have friends or a significant other to be around me.