OC
Pepper Spray
Liquid Hell
This less than lethal tool is either well-touted or much maligned, depending on what self-defense instructor you speak with.
To be fair, much like guns, knives, and other tools, not all OC Sprays are created equally... and like most other tool choices, you USUALLY get what you pay for.
There are a few tricks you can use to make a deployment of OC much more successful.
The spark to this is my very successful deployment of OC Spray to halt (near instantly might I add) an assault in progress over the weekend.
The unit itself uses an aerosol propellant to deliver the capsaicin in the form of active capsaicinoids onto the target.
The capsaicin can be a liquid, a gel, or a foam. Liquids can be delivered in the form of a stream, a fog, a cone, or as a mist that is easily misshaped by atmospherics.
There are many forms of deployment methods for this chemical like the gunpowder-based delivery of the Kimber PepperBlaster (which I still want one or three of) to the other available aerosols which can be delivered by a button or some form of lock-on device.
What delivery system you use depends on your use.
Foams work well but are not my preference for reasons explained in the Pro/Con section later.
Gels work very well, like foams but some turn to a liquid on contact and are preferred by TFTG Field Operations Supervisory Agent "M." (Due to some personal matters, he has requested his identity remain confidential for a while)
Cones work best on crowds since it covers more area.
Streams work best on individuals and are my preference as they get fairly good distance.
Fogs dominate indoors when used in high-output formats for flushing out barricaded individuals or area-denial and for controlling large crowds
The mist is how my ASP Defender deploys it's OC Payload and is best reserved for very short ranges in low wind.
Each type has it's Pros and Cons... as with all things.
Foam:
Pro:
-Good distance
-Sticks to target
-Little chance of environment causing cross-contamination
Con:
-Bad for area-denial
-Can be wiped off by target and thrown
-Best used for single targets
Gel:
Pro:
-Good Distance
-Sticks to target
-SOME turn to liquid on contact
-Little chance of environmental cross-contamination
Con:
-Bad for area-denial
-SOME can be wiped off and thrown
-Best used for single targets
Cone:
Pro:
-Works well on multiple targets
-Covers Wide area
-Good area denial
Con:
-Splash back
-High likelihood of environmental cross-contamination
-Little distance
-Liquid runs on target and may be wiped off
Stream:
Pro:
-Due to high concentration of liquid, hard to wipe off
-Can be used on multiple targets
-Good distance
-Fast acting
Con:
-Best used on single targets
-High likelihood of splash back
-Risk of eye injury to target if used at close range
-Not very good for area denial
Fog:
Pro:
-Best used indoors
-Covers large area
-Works very well for area-denial
-Good Distance
-Usually only available in large containers
Con:
-Easily affected by atmospherics
-DOES NOT WORK WELL OUTDOORS
-Usually only available in large containers
Mist:
Pro:
-Units are small
-Well suited for tight quarters self-defense
Con:
-Splash Back
-Short Range
-Easily affected by wind
Tactics for Use
Point Target (Individual)
-Use by surprise if possible... Don't warn about spray... Just do it.
-Target eyes and nose.
-Best used inside 10 feet
-Stay on the "trigger" until the attack ceases and don't be afraid to give them another dose.
Area Target (group)
-Use by surprise if possible
-Understand liquids can be inhaled and "bite" you just as hard.
-Target eyes and noses.
-Stay on the trigger... hose them down.
Flushing A Barricaded Subject
-If possible, use in ventilation systems
-Deploy nearby to subject's position
-Use a liquid in either the Cone of Fogger delivery systems
-Spray until A) the subject complies or B) you run out.
Area Denial
-Use a liquid unit, preferrably a fogger
-Spray as high as you can without effecting yourself
-USE A LOT!
-If possible, use multiple lock-on fogger units pointing UPWARDS
When deploying OC, ALWAYS try to shield your face by bringing up your off hand to "catch" as much backsplash as possible without affecting your visibility.
Use it liberally... OC is fairly cheap, so if you have to use it, either go big or go home.
What OC Units do we recommend:
I recommend:
-DefTec Red Band 1.3 (THIS STUFF IS AWESOME!!!!)
-ASP Defender series
-Kimber PepperBlaster
-Fox Labs Lock-On's
"M" also recommends:
-Sabre Red
Hope this finds all of y'all well....
Until next time,
Stay Safe
1*/2*
Watch Your Six
-Kenny Smith, CEO
Total Force Training Group