What Is OC Spray? And How Does It Work?
I often get asked what OC means. OC stands for oleoresin capisicum, which is the active ingredient in what is more commonly known as pepper spray.
OC is a chemical that comes from plants in the capsicum genus which include chilis. This is why it is known as pepper spray. The peppers are finely ground and an organic solvent such as ethanol is used to extract the oleoresin capsicum. An emulsifier is used to suspend the ingredients in water and then pressurized to make it a spray.
The strength of the sprays vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Two of the key things to look for is the percentage of OC in the spray, as well as the SHU or Scoville heat units. An effective pepper spray has at least 10% oleoresin capsicum and is rated at 2 million SHUs or more.
OC spray is an inflammatory agent. When a subject is sprayed with this substance, the membranes swell. It causes the eyes to involuntarily swell shut and causes temporary blindness. The throat constricts and makes breathing difficult. In effect, it eliminates all but life sustaining breath. The body begins to spasm and there is normally an onset of coughing fits and a runny nose. The skin begins to feel as if it had been set on fire. Many times, panic can set in, intensifying the physical effects. The effects usually set in within 2 to 5 seconds. They can last anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes, with diminished effects lasting several hours. Intense headaches can occur, which may last several hours as well.
Additionally, OC spray is highly effective because it does not rely primarily on pain compliance to work. In other words, even if the person being sprayed is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or has somehow had their pain receptors damaged, pepper spray will likely work. The eyes will still swell shut and breathing will become labored. The subject will be incapacitated.
When choosing a pepper spray, it is important to find a reliable vendor who is familiar with the product. A knowledgeable vendor can also help you chose the best pepper spray to carry, as pepper spray now comes in varying sizes and types of containers. A popular pepper spray now available on the market is disguised as a pen. Many professionals such as nurses, teachers and real estate agents choose to carry this type as the appearance is discreet.
The Pepper Pen can be found at http://www.bestlinedefense.com/pepper-spray/pepper-pen.html. For more information on the best self defense products visit us at http://www.bestlinedefense.com
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