Your Pepper Spray Personal Defense Tool.
Using your pepper spray personal defense tool to fight off an assaulter isn't as simple as pointing and shooting. There are many factors that need to be considered before using your pepper spray as an effective protection tool to fight off an assaulter. Consider these 4 tips before using your pepper spray:
How to Carry
Key-Chain Pepper Spray - This is the most popular way to carry pepper spray. Most people already have their keys in their hands when leaving home or approaching their car, so the pepper spray is easily is ready to use in seconds.
Never carry pepper spray in your purse or pocket when you are in an unfamiliar place, you won't be able to retrieve it fast enough for protection. Most assaults occur quickly and without warning, so quick access to your pepper spray is vital to achieve the desired result. If your pepper spray is hidden away in your purse or pocket, you have given the attacker an advantage and you don’t want that to happen. Your pepper spray should be ready to use to be effective.
When to use it
Timing and deciding exactly when to use your pepper spray, is important to effectively stop an attacker. The objective is to surprise the attacker. Avoid holding your arm straight out in front of you. While at first this might seem the obvious way to frighten an attacker, (saying I've got pepper spray, don't come any closer). It also allows the attacker the opportunity to knock your arm away, or grab your pepper spray and use it on you. It is much smarter to take a step backwards, away from your attacker, giving you time to gather your wits, grab the pepper spray and aim for their face.
Don't give the attacker any time to think and react to it. This makes it more difficult to achieve a direct hit if he can duck or avoid the spray. Also, many attackers carry a weapon but don't often show it. They often feel they can overpower someone without a weapon but carry one just in case they need it. Raising your pepper spray prematurely without shooting it just gives him time retrieve his weapon and use it against you.
How to shoot
Most women who carry pepper spray are completely unprepared to use it because they have never been trained on how to use it. They mistakenly believe that all they have to do is point and shoot. They underestimate how quickly things happen and don't realize how difficult it can be to shoot and aim accurately under stressful conditions.
Once you've pulled out your spray and are ready to shoot, it's important to get into a good athletic position in preparation to shoot. Go into a slight crouch with your feet about shoulder width apart, evenly balanced, shoulders squared and facing directly toward the attacker.
Hold your non-shooting hand out and yell STOP, HELP or CALL 911! Doing this will momentarily confuse your assailant and give you that much-needed 1 to 2 advantage. While shouting may or may not actually bring help, it's that small advantage needed to raise your arm, take aim and spray the assailant in the face. . It also gives you time to raise and aim the spray before you shoot. However, be aware that people in stressful situations, may not be able to keep their shooting hand steady enough to achieve accurate aim. If you feel this might be the case with you, then use your non-shooting hand to steady the shooting hand.
As you shoot, never thrust your hand forward as it will affect your aim. Instead, raise your arm gently but in a quick and smooth motion. Don't turn your back on the attacker! As you fire, step backward slightly in a slow, steady and deliberate manner. Try to limit upper body movement as much as possible. Limiting upper body, and hip movement, will keep your aim steady and prevent you from having to constantly readjust your aim.
Stepping back will give you more time, create more distance between you and the attacker and draws the attacker into the spray. Don't shut your eyes while spraying and don't wave the spray like a fire hose, this does nothing but waste the spray. Remember to aim, shoot and look where you are hitting and correct if necessary.
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When to Use It
Your timing, deciding exactly when to use your spray, is essential to effectively stop an attacker in his tracks. The objective is to surprise the attacker. Pull out your pepper spray only when you are prepared to use it. Don't show it and threaten him with it, hoping you can frighten him off.
Don't give the attacker any time to think and react to it. This makes it more difficult to achieve a direct hit if he can duck or avoid the spray. Also, many attackers carry a weapon but don't often show it. They often feel they can overpower someone without a weapon but carry one just in case they need it. Raising your pepper spray prematurely without shooting it just gives him time retrieve his weapon and use it against you.
Shooting
Most women who carry pepper spray are completely unprepared to use it because they have never been trained on how to use it. They mistakenly believe that all they have to do is point and shoot. They underestimate how quickly things happen and don't realize how difficult it can be to shoot and aim accurately under stressful conditions.
Once you've pulled out your spray and are ready to shoot, it's important to get into a good athletic position in preparation to shoot. Go into a slight crouch with your feet about shoulder width apart, evenly balanced, shoulders squared and facing directly toward the assailant. (Please note: If it is a windy day you have to position yourself so that the pepper spray won't come back on you).
Hold your non-shooting hand out and yell "stop", as you shoot. This will focus your energy on the task at hand and may draw the attacker's attention toward your hand and away from the pepper spray. It also gives you time to raise and aim the spray before you shoot. However, be aware that many people under stress of the situation may not be able to keep their shooting hand steady enough to achieve accurate aim.
If you feel this might be the case with you, then use your non-shooting hand to steady the shooting hand.
As you shoot, never thrust your hand forward as it will affect your aim. Instead, raise your arm gently but in a quick and smooth motion. Don't turn your back on the attacker! As you fire, step backward slightly in a slow, steady and deliberate manner. Try to limit upper body movement as much as possible. Limiting upper body, and hip movement, will keep your aim steady and prevent you from having to constantly readjust your aim.
Stepping back will give you more time, create more distance between you and the attacker and draws the attacker into the spray. Don't shut your eyes while spraying and don't wave the spray like a fire hose, this does nothing but waste the spray. Remember to aim, shoot and look where you are hitting and correct if necessary.
Aim for the head and shoulders. Shooting for about 1 - 2 seconds is usually adequate. At this point, an attacker will normally pause for a moment while he tries to gather himself as the pain and uncontrollable coughing spasms set in. Once he's disabled, stop spraying, and escape.
Escape
Get away if at all possible; pepper spray is a deterrent, not a solution. As you back away from your attacker, deliver the pepper spray in the direction of their face, using an approximate two to three second burst. If the stream of pepper spray strikes your attacker, you will know immediately the pepper spray will have the desired effect on the attacker. Use these valuable moments to vacate the premises and seek help. Don't wait around for police or try to detain him for the cops. Don't move toward the attacker or you may be affected by the spray. While making your escape, back away but don't turn your back on him until you are a good distance away. He may get up and try to follow you, and you will need to spray him again. Once you are a safe distance away (about 100 feet or so), and you see that he isn't getting up, turn around, run and make your escape as quickly as possible.
So remember, try to stay calm, be aware how the wind is blowing, so the pepper spray won't come back in your face, aim at the attackers face, spray, adjust and continue spraying, while backing up.
Practice
Also if you want to be able to use the spray effectively it's important to practice all the steps. If you don't practice, when you find yourself in a threatening situation, you'll probably panic and freeze up. Practice until you feel confidant and then when something happens, you won't panic because you'll be prepared. If you don't want to practice with real pepper spray, you can purchase a water-based inert or practice spray.
Residue of the Pepper Spray
Residue of the pepper spray may end up on you during use. It is important that you shower and wash your hair to make sure there is no pepper spray residue left on you. Your clothes should be washed also.
Using your pepper spray personal defense tool to fight off an assaulter isn't as simple as pointing and shooting. There are many factors that need to be considered before using your pepper spray as an effective protection tool to fight off an assaulter. Consider these 4 tips before using your pepper spray:
How to Carry
Key-Chain Pepper Spray - This is the most popular way to carry pepper spray. Most people already have their keys in their hands when leaving home or approaching their car, so the pepper spray is easily is ready to use in seconds.
Never carry pepper spray in your purse or pocket when you are in an unfamiliar place, you won't be able to retrieve it fast enough for protection. Most assaults occur quickly and without warning, so quick access to your pepper spray is vital to achieve the desired result. If your pepper spray is hidden away in your purse or pocket, you have given the attacker an advantage and you don’t want that to happen. Your pepper spray should be ready to use to be effective.
When to use it
Timing and deciding exactly when to use your pepper spray, is important to effectively stop an attacker. The objective is to surprise the attacker. Avoid holding your arm straight out in front of you. While at first this might seem the obvious way to frighten an attacker, (saying I've got pepper spray, don't come any closer). It also allows the attacker the opportunity to knock your arm away, or grab your pepper spray and use it on you. It is much smarter to take a step backwards, away from your attacker, giving you time to gather your wits, grab the pepper spray and aim for their face.
Don't give the attacker any time to think and react to it. This makes it more difficult to achieve a direct hit if he can duck or avoid the spray. Also, many attackers carry a weapon but don't often show it. They often feel they can overpower someone without a weapon but carry one just in case they need it. Raising your pepper spray prematurely without shooting it just gives him time retrieve his weapon and use it against you.
How to shoot
Most women who carry pepper spray are completely unprepared to use it because they have never been trained on how to use it. They mistakenly believe that all they have to do is point and shoot. They underestimate how quickly things happen and don't realize how difficult it can be to shoot and aim accurately under stressful conditions.
Once you've pulled out your spray and are ready to shoot, it's important to get into a good athletic position in preparation to shoot. Go into a slight crouch with your feet about shoulder width apart, evenly balanced, shoulders squared and facing directly toward the attacker.
Hold your non-shooting hand out and yell STOP, HELP or CALL 911! Doing this will momentarily confuse your assailant and give you that much-needed 1 to 2 advantage. While shouting may or may not actually bring help, it's that small advantage needed to raise your arm, take aim and spray the assailant in the face. . It also gives you time to raise and aim the spray before you shoot. However, be aware that people in stressful situations, may not be able to keep their shooting hand steady enough to achieve accurate aim. If you feel this might be the case with you, then use your non-shooting hand to steady the shooting hand.
As you shoot, never thrust your hand forward as it will affect your aim. Instead, raise your arm gently but in a quick and smooth motion. Don't turn your back on the attacker! As you fire, step backward slightly in a slow, steady and deliberate manner. Try to limit upper body movement as much as possible. Limiting upper body, and hip movement, will keep your aim steady and prevent you from having to constantly readjust your aim.
Stepping back will give you more time, create more distance between you and the attacker and draws the attacker into the spray. Don't shut your eyes while spraying and don't wave the spray like a fire hose, this does nothing but waste the spray. Remember to aim, shoot and look where you are hitting and correct if necessary.
.
When to Use It
Your timing, deciding exactly when to use your spray, is essential to effectively stop an attacker in his tracks. The objective is to surprise the attacker. Pull out your pepper spray only when you are prepared to use it. Don't show it and threaten him with it, hoping you can frighten him off.
Don't give the attacker any time to think and react to it. This makes it more difficult to achieve a direct hit if he can duck or avoid the spray. Also, many attackers carry a weapon but don't often show it. They often feel they can overpower someone without a weapon but carry one just in case they need it. Raising your pepper spray prematurely without shooting it just gives him time retrieve his weapon and use it against you.
Shooting
Most women who carry pepper spray are completely unprepared to use it because they have never been trained on how to use it. They mistakenly believe that all they have to do is point and shoot. They underestimate how quickly things happen and don't realize how difficult it can be to shoot and aim accurately under stressful conditions.
Once you've pulled out your spray and are ready to shoot, it's important to get into a good athletic position in preparation to shoot. Go into a slight crouch with your feet about shoulder width apart, evenly balanced, shoulders squared and facing directly toward the assailant. (Please note: If it is a windy day you have to position yourself so that the pepper spray won't come back on you).
Hold your non-shooting hand out and yell "stop", as you shoot. This will focus your energy on the task at hand and may draw the attacker's attention toward your hand and away from the pepper spray. It also gives you time to raise and aim the spray before you shoot. However, be aware that many people under stress of the situation may not be able to keep their shooting hand steady enough to achieve accurate aim.
If you feel this might be the case with you, then use your non-shooting hand to steady the shooting hand.
As you shoot, never thrust your hand forward as it will affect your aim. Instead, raise your arm gently but in a quick and smooth motion. Don't turn your back on the attacker! As you fire, step backward slightly in a slow, steady and deliberate manner. Try to limit upper body movement as much as possible. Limiting upper body, and hip movement, will keep your aim steady and prevent you from having to constantly readjust your aim.
Stepping back will give you more time, create more distance between you and the attacker and draws the attacker into the spray. Don't shut your eyes while spraying and don't wave the spray like a fire hose, this does nothing but waste the spray. Remember to aim, shoot and look where you are hitting and correct if necessary.
Aim for the head and shoulders. Shooting for about 1 - 2 seconds is usually adequate. At this point, an attacker will normally pause for a moment while he tries to gather himself as the pain and uncontrollable coughing spasms set in. Once he's disabled, stop spraying, and escape.
Escape
Get away if at all possible; pepper spray is a deterrent, not a solution. As you back away from your attacker, deliver the pepper spray in the direction of their face, using an approximate two to three second burst. If the stream of pepper spray strikes your attacker, you will know immediately the pepper spray will have the desired effect on the attacker. Use these valuable moments to vacate the premises and seek help. Don't wait around for police or try to detain him for the cops. Don't move toward the attacker or you may be affected by the spray. While making your escape, back away but don't turn your back on him until you are a good distance away. He may get up and try to follow you, and you will need to spray him again. Once you are a safe distance away (about 100 feet or so), and you see that he isn't getting up, turn around, run and make your escape as quickly as possible.
So remember, try to stay calm, be aware how the wind is blowing, so the pepper spray won't come back in your face, aim at the attackers face, spray, adjust and continue spraying, while backing up.
Practice
Also if you want to be able to use the spray effectively it's important to practice all the steps. If you don't practice, when you find yourself in a threatening situation, you'll probably panic and freeze up. Practice until you feel confidant and then when something happens, you won't panic because you'll be prepared. If you don't want to practice with real pepper spray, you can purchase a water-based inert or practice spray.
Residue of the Pepper Spray
Residue of the pepper spray may end up on you during use. It is important that you shower and wash your hair to make sure there is no pepper spray residue left on you. Your clothes should be washed also.