RE: [Paddlewise] Grizzlies in Desolation Sound?

A couple of years ago while investigating the idea of allowing
our campus public safety officers to carry pepper spray, I
found an article which suggested getting hit in the face with
this stuff was like having a lit sparkler shoved up your nose.

We bought lots.

Larry Mills
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com [SMTP:dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com]
> Sent:	Tuesday, August 17, 1999 4:05 P.M.
> To:	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject:	Re: [Paddlewise] Grizzlies in Desolation Sound?
> 
> |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
> 
> 
> 
> 
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