Pepper Spray 101

Pepper spray enables you to defend yourself while keeping a safe distance from an attacker. A one second burst to the face will cause temporary blindness, choking, coughing, and nausea-bringing the attacker to his knees. The active ingredient in Damsel In Defense pepper spray is Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.), commonly referred to as red pepper. When considering which pepper spray is most effective, one must consider the percentage of pepper being used and the heat rating of that pepper (measured in Scoville Heat Units or S.H.U.). At 17% and two million S.H.U., Damsel In Defense pepper spray is one of the hottest, most powerful brands in the world. The potency of this spray enables it to bring down even the most aggressive assailants.

What is SHU?

The Scoville Heat Units (SHU) scale was devised by Wilbur Scoville in 1912 as a measure of the hotness of a chile pepper. The SHU scale in regards to pepper spray indicates the amount of oleoresin capsicum (OC) present, but more importantly the heat and thus irritation the pepper spray delivers. Pepper spray comes in variety of dilution percentages featuring a variety of Scoville Heat Units. When seconds count, it is our contention, the hotter the SHU rating of the pepper spray, the better the results. A one second blast to the face of an assailant with our 2 million SHU Damsel In Defense Pepper Spray will induce immediate coughing, choking and nausea as well as dilating the eye capillaries resulting in diminished vision. In addition, 2 million SHU pepper spray causes the attackers mucous membranes to swell resulting in difficulty in breathing and causes an intense burning skin sensation. A one second blast of 2 million SHU pepper spray delivers you from harm’s way and can affect an attacker for up to 60 minutes without causing permanent damage.
History of Pepper Spray

Derived from the cayenne pepper plant, oleoresin capsicum (OC) or pepper spray first came to prominence via the US Postal Service in the early 1980’s as a dog repellent. By the end of the decade the FBI and other law enforcement agencies had introduced pepper spray to their field operatives as a non-lethal weapon ideal in subduing crime suspects. Today pepper spray is successfully used by millions of law enforcement and non-law enforcement people in the US and throughout the world.
How Pepper Spray works

Pepper spray is simply that, cayenne pepper in spray form. Pepper spray’s active ingredient is OC or oleoresin capsicum. The OC is derived from Cayenne peppers, which are some of the hottest peppers in the world. Extraction of oleoresin capsicum OC from peppers involves finely ground capsicum, then the capsaicin is extracted in an organic solvent such as ethanol. The solvent is then evaporated, and the remaining wax like resin is the oleoresin capsicum. Pepper Spray OC is a highly inflammatory agent. Contact with eyes, nose, throat and lungs cause immediate dilation of the capillaries. This can result in temporary blindness and instant inflammation of the breathing tube tissues and systematically cuts of all but life support breathing. Pepper spray will also create an intense burning sensation on the surface of the skin. However, pepper spray will cause no lasting after effects. The effects last from 15 to 60 minutes. Because pepper spray is an inflammatory agent and not an irritant it is effective on those who feel no pain such as those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Pepper spray cannot be shipped to MA, MI, NY or WI, or via any air delivery services (Overnight, 2 Day, etc.).