There have been many rapes, robberies, and assaults that are reported each year. While carrying pepper spray does not necessarily guarantee that you will not be attacked. But carrying such weapons will help you defend yourself should the time come that you need to.

The main ingredient of pepper spray is Oleoresin Capsicum, which is found in hot chili peppers and extracted to high concentration. It is not an irritant agent butt rather is an inflammatory agent. It targets mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. The use of pepper spray can cause temporary blindness, distress in respiration, and sometimes a burning sensation in the affected area.

Because it causes inflammation, it will make the capillaries of the eyes swell and shut. These effects last from a range of two seconds to 30 minutes. If you want to get a graphic and more understandable way of understanding how pepper spray works, you can bring to mind instances where you have eaten really spicy food. The tongue will feel hot and feels like it swelling. Tears will swell up. Take that experience and increase it a hundred fold - imagine if the spicy food was rubbed all over your face, affecting your eyes, nose and mouth. This is how being sprayed with pepper spray will feel like.

Another great thing with pepper spray is that it comes in various sizes and shapes. This is to disguise your self-defense weapon. Pepper sprays come as pens, rings, and flashlights. If you still want to be fashionable when you defend yourself, you can purchase a lipstick pepper spray. People who look through your belongings will think that you are just carrying an ordinary lipstick without knowing that it is your defense against danger.

There are also special pepper spray such as the wildfire pepper spray with has 18% concentration. It has a belt clip and keychain holster for carrying convenience. But the most popular brand of pepper spray continues to be Mace pepper spray. It is not only used by ordinary people but also but law enforcement officers as well.

Many of these items can be purchased online so you don't have to leave your house to buy stuff to protect you. You can pay for it through credit card of PayPal and it will be delivered to you. Some sites even ship your orders for free.

However, pepper spray and other non-lethal self defense weapons need licenses and permission to carry. You should first check if your state allows the use of such weapons before purchasing. There are also books out there on pepper spray that can teach you how to utilize your non-lethal weapon to your best advantage.

The best protection is always being on guard and aware of everything around you. Nothing beats being watchful and attentive.