Pepper Gel, Foam or Spray! Choose Wisely!

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By Richard de Veas

There are many types of the powerful and popular oleoresin capsicum (OC) products that utilize the stopping power of OC, Pepper Gel, Pepper Foam and Pepper Spray. When deciding between Pepper Gel, Pepper Foam and Pepper Spray one should become familiar with the advantages and the disadvantages of each. Depending on your particular situation and comfort level, certain personal defense OC products may or may not be right for you. In the crucial split-second you have between when you are attacked and when you can respond, you want to have confidence in the personal protection OC product you use. When choosing between Pepper Gel, Pepper Foam and Pepper Spray here are some essentials to keep in mind.

Pepper Spray

Emitted as a direct spray or in a fog, pepper spray is one of the most commonly used personal defense products on the market today.

Pros:

• Can be easily and discreetly carried on a keychain or in a pocket

• Can spray in a wide dispersal pattern to deter multiple attackers

• Inexpensive when compared to other products such as stun guns.
  

Cons:

• Effective range less than 10 feet

• Inaccurate - dispensed in liquid form as a spray or as a fine mist

• High likelihood of cross contamination - It can blow back at you

• Quickly contaminates indoor and enclosed spaces and all present within.

Special Note - Maximum effectiveness 30 min. to an hour.

Pepper Foam

Emitted as a oil foam spray or resembling hornet spray. Popular within the corrections community.

Pros:

• Effective range less than 10 feet

• Can be easily and discreetly carried on a keychain or in a pocket

• Better accuracy than spray

• Acceptable coverage area on individual attackers

• Less potential to be blown back at you

• Slower contamination of indoor and enclosed spaces and all present within.

• Inexpensive when compared to other products such as stun guns.

Cons:

• Less accurate than Gel

• High likelihood of cross contamination - It can be throw back by the attacker

• Lethal choking risk if ingested by attacker

Special Note - Maximum effectiveness 30 min. to an hour.

Pepper Gel

Emitted as a Gel. This is a relatively new product in the personal defense industry.

Pros:

• Superior range 18-20 feet

• Can be easily and discreetly carried on a keychain or in a pocket

• Superior accuracy

• Superior target acquisition - can be fired from any angle

• Turns to liquid on contact - very difficult to be thrown back by attacker

• Pin point coverage area on individual attackers

• Less potential to be blown back at you

• Slower contamination of indoor and enclosed spaces and all present within.

• Inexpensive when compared to other products such as stun guns.

Cons:

• Contamination of indoor and enclosed spaces and all present within though at a much slower rate.

Special Note - Maximum effectiveness can persist for hours!

Conclusion

Pepper gel products can be carried easily and discreetly for protection from attackers. Pepper gel can travel 20% further than spray, putting more distance between you and the attacker. Unlike pepper spray, pepper gel is dispensed as a thick, sticky substance. This means it will stick to an attacker’s skin, making it much more difficult for the attacker to wipe it off. Because it is thicker than liquid pepper sprays, pepper gel cannot be blown back into your face. Unlike Pepper Foam, Pepper Gel it turns into a liquid on contact and can't be thrown back by the attacker. This makes pepper gel a better choice for defending yourself outside and in close quarters.