|I seem to recall reading an article in a recent issue of Backpacker that |mentioned that if you are going to carry pepper spray to make sure that it |is specifically BEAR spray(it should say so somewhere on the can)otherwise |it isn't strong enough to be effective--I'm pretty sure thats what I read, |but I should add a caveat about my memory. I'm sure the more bear-literate |paddlers can correct me if I'm wrong. The thing to remember about defensive sprays for bears, other four legged creatures or the really dangerous two legged animals, is not so much on the strength of the pepper mixture but how the stuff squirts out of the can. Defensive sprays exit the can either as a stream or a fog. A fog does not reach out from the user any great distance, a couple yards at most, and is very much effected by wind and movement. A stream can really hit a target many yards out but then the user has to be good at aiming. And of course movement and wind enter the equation. With fog the user is almost certain to get a dose of the pepper spray. The FBI recommends a mixture of 5.5% pepper for two legged creatures. The pain induced by the spray does not increase with a larger percentage of pepper only the length of time that it remains very painful. The 5.5% is going to be very very very painful for 45 minutes to an hour. If hit in the eyes, your eyes are gonna close. You want them closed. You never want to open your eyes again. Its nice to keep your eyes closed. If the stuff is inhaled, even the least bit, all fluids in your nose and sinus are coming out. If you inhale a good dose, your breathing is constricted as a your breathing passages inflame from the pepper. Not fun. Even with all of this badness an attacker, regardless of leg count, can still be a threat. Pepper spray is bad stuff or good stuff depending on one's point of view. Mace is not worth much but is better than nothing. I don't know what the percentage of pepper is in the bear spray just make sure that it is an alcohol carrier. Not water. Oil and water does not mix and the pepper component is actually an oil. Thus you have to shake the can to get it to mix before using. I don't wanna have to shake a can before spraying something that is trying to hurt me. The down side to the alcohol carrier is that it is flamable so don't go spraying around fire. The NYPD killed a man who had barricaded himself in a bathroom after they threw in canisters of pepper spray which soaked him in alcohol. When he still refused to surrender they threw in a flash bang grenade to stun him prior to entry. Hmmm, sparks and flamable liquid. Not real bright. He cooked. Course its not much different than what appeared to happen in Waco but that is another thread. If you do carry pepper spray, point it down wind from time to time and push the button. Make sure it works. I don't suggest spraying yourself, but if you get a drop on your finger, sniff it. You'll get a idea of what the spray is all about. If you use the spray you stand a very good chance of getting hit with it. Nature of the beast. A little whiff will get your eyes to watering and you will start sneezing. Try to avoid spraying yourself. This stuff is very nasty. Even after you think it is gone, once you take a shower it will reawaken and get you again. Don't dose yourself on purpose. Trust Me! 8-) I would be curious about the pepper percentage in the bear sprays. And how the percentage was decided on for use on bears. Well that was much longer than I had intended! Hope this helps... Dan McCarty *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Aug 17 1999 - 13:05:59 PDT
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