Mace, Tear Gas and Pepper Spray
Mace and Tear Gas
Mace used to be popular a few decades ago until it was discovered that the product really didn’t have much of an effect on intoxicated individuals. Mace is still in existence today, however it represents a brand name as opposed to a chemical spray. Actual Mace is not readily available, and most products that are marketed as Mace contain a variation of tear gas as well as pepper spray.
The main ingredient in most products is a variation of chlorobenzalmalononitrile which wreaks havoc on the eyes, mouth, nose and respiratory system upon contact. Tear gas also contains a number of incendiary compounds that cause the gas to disburse once the canister is deployed. Mucous membranes in the body will go crazy within about 30 seconds of exposure that leads to severe burning and irritation, difficulty breathing, drooling, watery, red and burning eyes, excessive salivation, wet-coughing and chest pain.
Symptoms will generally subside after about 10 minutes of exposure to fresh air. However, symptoms can persist based on the degree and length of exposure. Individuals who have respiratory or heart problems can also feel its effects more severely because the gas temporarily inhibits the exchange between oxygen and blood.
The best remedy for tear gas exposure is to rinse the eyes and mouth with lukewarm, soapy water or saline solution until symptoms subside. Removing clothes and taking a warm shower will also effectively clean the body, but it is not advisable to take a bath as the contaminants will remain in the water and body. Some protest groups have also recommended to use milk or a combination of antacids and water as a way to neutralize the effects of tear gas. Another popular remedy is to mix canola oil with vinegar and wipe the face, eyes and exposed skin. However, it is unclear as to the effectiveness of these treatments, and the benefits may vary from person to person.
Pepper Spray
Concentrated oils from a variety of chili peppers are used for the basis of pepper spray, and commercial products may also include aerosols to act as a propellant. Pepper spray is considered to be an irritant as opposed to an inflammatory agent, and it principally effects the eyes and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. Symptoms include severe burning, tearing and blurred vision, and they will last until the oily substance is removed from the skin.
Pepper sprays are considered to be the most effective option when encountering an individual or small group of people who can be sprayed. However, it does not have the broad coverage that is found with tear gas, and it needs to come into direct contact with the face in order to have its desired effect. Because the spray is oil-based, using soapy water will help to remove it from the skin. Saline solution can be used to remove it from the eyes, and antacid/water mixtures or milk will help to reduce the sting.
It is important to know that the legality of using these items varies from location to location. There are also severe federal penalties on the books for the misuse of tear gas, and products are highly controlled. However, it is possible to obtain certain forms of gas-based items that contain different combinations of ingredients, but they may not be as potent as what is used by law enforcement agencies or the military. Pepper spray is generally legal due to the fact that it is made from primarily natural ingredients and does not have incendiary capabilities.
Make sure that you choose or make products that will have the necessary reach in order to fend off attackers without becoming exposed during the process. Some good pepper sprays can shoot a thick stream upwards of 10 feet whereas others will produce smaller streams that only extend for a couple of feet. Finally, try to have an exit strategy in place so that you can get out of danger as quickly as possible once the products have been deployed. You also want to try and stand upwind of any form of gas or spray in order to avoid exposure.
