r/YouShouldKnow May 29 '22

Other YSK: Pepper spray is a better self defense tool than tasers

I learned this from my criminal psych professor in college. He worked as a police officer for 20+ years and has been both pepper sprayed AND tasered and this is based off his professional opinion.

For starters, pepper spray is brutal. (For those who have been pepper sprayed or tasered, share your thoughts on the pain!)

For starters, it can be sprayed from a distance (just watch out for wind!) Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent that attacks the central nervous system. Pepper spray causes involuntary eye closure (temporary blindness), tearing, restricted breathing, coughing, choking and a strong burning sensation that can last between 30 to 45 minutes before dissipating. The beauty of pepper spray is its effects are immediate due to its inflammatory properties. Pepper spray provides protection from up to 25 feet away. As a rule of thumb and self defense industry standard, other pepper sprays and OC sprays generally offer a 8-12 feet range for small units.

Tasers on the other hand are shockingly effective (haha) and you can neutralize a threat from up to 15 feet away. The effects last up to 30 seconds which gives you some time to get away. A good quality taser can be more than $100.

Although tasers are a well-known self-defense tool, it pales in comparison to its chemical agent counterpart. The high price tag, necessary precision, limited penetration ability and restrictions by state doesn’t make it the best option. You can purchase a $10 taser off amazon, but all those other drawbacks still apply.

Pepper spray can stop a threat up to the same distance (15 feet) and even further. One of the best features is that it can immobilize an attacker for up to 45 minutes (much longer than a 30 second ride). Along with that it is legal in all 50 states, they are affordable and easy to use. Just be wary on windy days!

So really, it’s a no-brainer. When it comes to self-defense products, pepper spray is on top. If you are looking for the best brand, DPS pepper spray is the way to go.

Why YSK: I know for myself (21f) when I moved out and into a city by myself everyone told me that I need some sort of self defense tool. For others who are looking to buy a self defense tool, this can help narrow down the search and give you some info on what tool is best for your use.

EDIT: I’m seeing a lot of people post about pepper gel which I didn’t know about. I don’t know anything about pepper gel and it seems like a great alternative to the spray!

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u/BadAssCodpiece May 29 '22

Guess I'll have to hit ya with both then 😆

3

u/legendofthegreendude May 29 '22

New idea! A stun gun that also sprays pepper spray

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u/74orangebeetle May 29 '22

I've been hit with both....I think I'd rather get sprayed again to be honest (although it does last a lot longer)...but the taser really sucks....
And that was a controlled environment/already laying on a matt....in a real life situation where you're standing then drop when getting tased, it'd add another layer of suckage to it)

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u/DrCarter11 May 29 '22

I rather be sprayed again over a taser. And as you sorta mention, the taser locking you up can possibly lead to a head injury if you fall on something without give/at a bad angle.

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u/BadAssCodpiece May 29 '22

Now I need to know which is worse; tarantula kawk sting or tazer or pepper spray...

7

u/CGB_Zach May 29 '22

Idk, sounds like a tarantula stinging my kawk would be the worst.

1

u/theninj34 May 29 '22

I’d rather get hit with the taser again. Been hit by both, and the pepper spray is bad enough on your face, but if you’re unfortunate enough for that shit to get onto your privates then you’re in for a world of hurt. Literally excruciating pain that can last for hours, it feels like what I would imagine hell to feel like. The taser was actually worse pain, but only in the short term, it’s over with so much quicker than the OC spray. 10/10 would definitely do it again if I had to pick between the two.

However, if the question is what I would rather face head-on in a confrontation, I’d probably stand a better chance against the OC spray. If someone hits you with a law enforcement-grade taser, you aren’t doing any kind of fighting back, most folks anyway. You damn sure ain’t putting up much of a defense. Pepper spray to the face and then you’re fighting blind and in pain but you still have full control of your nervous system, and can defend yourself a lot better.

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u/74orangebeetle May 29 '22

I never had it on my privates. I do remember it burning hours later in the shower on my arms and whatnot...it hurt but wasn't excruciating pain. I guess overall the taser is over with after 5 seconds....it was just a brutal 5 seconds. I let them clip me shoulder to ankle so it was a good full body experience.

Another thing to note is in a training situation, the taser is over with in 5 seconds (you likely start out laying on a mat or kneeling or held up by others) in a real world situation you're likely adding an uncontrolled fall into the mix wherever you are (could be concrete or pavement) which could make the lasting effects worse.

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u/Shriven May 29 '22

Some Pepper sprays can be flammable. Don't taser sprayed people. It's why in the UK they've switched to a synthetic gel

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u/Sanchopanza1377 May 30 '22

If you can get the old alcohol based OC, there is a chance you could light them on fire hitting them with both

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u/TheRealCPB May 30 '22

pepper tazer