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Pepper sprays for runner self defense
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Fievel
RunDisney Addict
Well, since I probably know the most about pepper spray, I guess I'll give a little lesson.
First off, I don't carry pepper spray (or OC as it's referred to in the law enforcement community) when I run, as I really don't feel the need in my small community.
However, if you are going to carry anything, I would suggest getting an OC spray over and OC foam. Foam will stick where you put it, but it's projectile systems have proven to be unreliable, which is a bad thing when you need them the most. Stick with regular 5% OC Spray, Or 10% if your state allows it.
You may or may not be able to order from a place like Galls.com or lapolicegear.com or your local police supply store.
Ruger and Sabre both make reliable pepper sprays. ASP also makes a pepper spray, but I have had no experience with it. I would fathom to guess it's a good bet, as most of their products are reliable.
Our department used to use first defense, but recently switched over to galls brand, and it showed very reliable as recently as last night
Any other questions, feel free to ask.
First off, I don't carry pepper spray (or OC as it's referred to in the law enforcement community) when I run, as I really don't feel the need in my small community.
However, if you are going to carry anything, I would suggest getting an OC spray over and OC foam. Foam will stick where you put it, but it's projectile systems have proven to be unreliable, which is a bad thing when you need them the most. Stick with regular 5% OC Spray, Or 10% if your state allows it.
You may or may not be able to order from a place like Galls.com or lapolicegear.com or your local police supply store.
Ruger and Sabre both make reliable pepper sprays. ASP also makes a pepper spray, but I have had no experience with it. I would fathom to guess it's a good bet, as most of their products are reliable.
Our department used to use first defense, but recently switched over to galls brand, and it showed very reliable as recently as last night
Any other questions, feel free to ask.
joel_maxwell
Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Excellent question Steve and awesome response. Im taking notes. I have to run through some questionable parts of Birmingham.Well, since I probably know the most about pepper spray, I guess I'll give a little lesson.
First off, I don't carry pepper spray (or OC as it's referred to in the law enforcement community) when I run, as I really don't feel the need in my small community.
However, if you are going to carry anything, I would suggest getting an OC spray over and OC foam. Foam will stick where you put it, but it's projectile systems have proven to be unreliable, which is a bad thing when you need them the most. Stick with regular 5% OC Spray, Or 10% if your state allows it.
You may or may not be able to order from a place like Galls.com or lapolicegear.com or your local police supply store.
Ruger and Sabre both make reliable pepper sprays. ASP also makes a pepper spray, but I have had no experience with it. I would fathom to guess it's a good bet, as most of their products are reliable.
Our department used to use first defense, but recently switched over to galls brand, and it showed very reliable as recently as last night
Any other questions, feel free to ask.
Fievel
RunDisney Addict
Just another point - if you ever get to the point where you have to deploy pepper spray, be prepared. It does splash around, and it just the fumes can get up in your eyes, nose, and mouth, causing them to sting quite a bit.
Not nearly as bad as the guy you just sprayed, but you will definitely feel the effects. It's something you HAVE to be prepared for if you come to that point. We actually train to fight through the spray. We get sprayed, have to fight it off, fight the person, take them down, and handcuff them.
My suggestion out in the wild is that if you spray someone, get out of dodge ASAP. If you can avoid further confrontation that is best. If the person is still being stupid, then go for a disruptive shot - to a guy a shot to the genitals will usually end the fight. (That's not something we train for or anything, but it will definitely suffice in the wild.)
Above all, always be aware of your surroundings. I know it sounds cliche, but many of us run with ipods or other mp3 players, and we tend to tune our surroundings out. I tend to run in pretty open areas, but I do have a mile stretch down a wooded path on most of my routes back home. I'm constantly scanning the woods to make sure nobody is out there, and often check back over my shoulder to make sure nobody is coming behind me.
Stay safe out there.....any other questions....hit me up
Not nearly as bad as the guy you just sprayed, but you will definitely feel the effects. It's something you HAVE to be prepared for if you come to that point. We actually train to fight through the spray. We get sprayed, have to fight it off, fight the person, take them down, and handcuff them.
My suggestion out in the wild is that if you spray someone, get out of dodge ASAP. If you can avoid further confrontation that is best. If the person is still being stupid, then go for a disruptive shot - to a guy a shot to the genitals will usually end the fight. (That's not something we train for or anything, but it will definitely suffice in the wild.)
Above all, always be aware of your surroundings. I know it sounds cliche, but many of us run with ipods or other mp3 players, and we tend to tune our surroundings out. I tend to run in pretty open areas, but I do have a mile stretch down a wooded path on most of my routes back home. I'm constantly scanning the woods to make sure nobody is out there, and often check back over my shoulder to make sure nobody is coming behind me.
Stay safe out there.....any other questions....hit me up
heartodisney
Active Member
Some in our cycling group carry this, "Kimber PepperBlasterII" 2 shots that do not "spray" but stream out around 20 feet and is supposed to not bounce back to you even in wind. I just carry dog treats to throw at the chasing animals our squirt them with my extra water bottle!
Thanks for the excellent info Fievel. I'll look into the makes you mentioned.
My primary concern at the moment is actually a couple of large attack dogs that live in the area. I have had a few occasions where they are basically going for me, and the only thing stopping it is a chain they are attached to. I wouldn't like to guarantee that chain is going to hold out. Of course, once you start considering these things you then start looking at the risk of a person attack.
How reliable are the pepper sprays, and would you consider a small personal sized version that you could carry on a run being effective?
My primary concern at the moment is actually a couple of large attack dogs that live in the area. I have had a few occasions where they are basically going for me, and the only thing stopping it is a chain they are attached to. I wouldn't like to guarantee that chain is going to hold out. Of course, once you start considering these things you then start looking at the risk of a person attack.
How reliable are the pepper sprays, and would you consider a small personal sized version that you could carry on a run being effective?
heartodisney
Active Member
even on some dogs, peeper spray just makes them even madder...dog treats to me work the best for me..or just try to avoid the area..we have done this. Sometimes, if we know the area and one guy is not paying attention, we slow down to let that person "take on the dog"..and the attention is on him while we squirt around...I know, I know truely bad, but if it does get too bad we throw water to help out! Ha Ha!
SleepingMonk
Well-Known Member
Fievel
RunDisney Addict
I don't have any experience with the small personal sized ones (Say the ones that would attach to a keychain).
I would venture to guess that they'd be effective, but the capacity is going to be small, so you better make your first shot count.
If you have a running belt pack, I'd reccomend the size that sleeping monk just posted above. Fits nice in the palm of your hand, and will give you about 5 seconds of firepower before it quits.
I would venture to guess that they'd be effective, but the capacity is going to be small, so you better make your first shot count.
If you have a running belt pack, I'd reccomend the size that sleeping monk just posted above. Fits nice in the palm of your hand, and will give you about 5 seconds of firepower before it quits.
I have had several of the small key chain ones and they are just slightly better than useless. Range and capacity is typically very limited, they are ironically cumbersome to use and their failure rate tends to be pretty high.