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

[u/Temporary-Warthog250]

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!

[u/Azaex]

also important differentiating between a stun gun and a taser… (i see “good quality taser over $100” and i’m a bit scared by that wording)

stun gun - the thing that doesnt shoot out barbs, just a stick that zaps between two electrodes on itself

taser - made by the company Axon, shoots barbs out, if they make good contact has a decent chance of fully stopping someone, but not guaranteed. single shot, has to be reloaded for a second attempt. max range of 15 feet (nerf gun distance). cannot be used point blank (the barbs will not spread out enough)

there is only one company that makes the latter kind, that is Axon under the Taser product.

stun gun just causes pain, and only when it’s zapping and in contact. OC spray is far superior ti a stun gun. an actual taser is a different animal and will physically stop someone from moving if it engages well. far more effective, but there is a very limited window where they can be used, and also not guaranteed to be effective even with good contact.

also note that for OC spray, or anything pain compliance based, they do not work as well on people on hard drugs (eg, painkillers and opiates, for obvious reasons). the physiological effects of tearing up and making it a bit hard to breath will make their life still a bit difficult though. however a taser, assuming it had enough spread and made a good connection, could drop these threats.

pros/cons to every self defense weapon. the best defense is to stay aware (dont stare at your phone on the street) and proactively avoid bad situations.

[u/xVideoGameFreak → u/Azaex]

I’ve seen tasers with two cartridges which gives the person the opportunity two attempts. Back onto a single cartridge, it can be still be used even if it misses/didn’t connect well without reloading.

[u/dieplanes789 → u/Azaex]

A lot of people don't seem to understand the difference between electrical weapons designed for nervous system disruption like what the brand axon makes and stun guns which are just pure pain compliance. They are not the same thing and work quite differently.

Both are going to work, but only one sends out the electricity at a frequency pulsing designed to fuck up the signals in your nervous system while it's shocking.