How does a stun gun stop an attacker?

Stun guns are designed to key into the nervous system. They dump their energy into the muscles at a different frequency than the pulse waves emanating from the brain. The pulse waves coming from the brain and those from the stun gun collide at the nerve synapse' which is a type of complex processing switch adjacent to each muscle group. The resulting energy collision makes it difficult for an attacker to move and function. This causes disorientation and loss of balance and leaves the attacker in a passive and confused condition for several minutes. Still, stun guns have no significant effect on the heart and other organs.

How long does it take to immobilize someone with a stun gun?

As a general rule, a one-half second contact from a stun gun will repel and startle the attacker, giving some pain and muscle contraction. One to two seconds will cause muscle spasms and a dazed mental state. Over three seconds will cause loss of balance and muscle control, mental confusion and disorientation.

However, don't think about how many seconds you should hold the stun gun to your attacker. Think about it this way. Throw out what the books say and the online information you have read about stun guns. You should hold your stun gun to the assailant until they drop and you can get away and call the police, whether that may be one second or six seconds.

What is the difference between an 80,000 volt model and a 900,000 volt model?

Look at it this way, both stun guns will render your assailant helpless using non-lethal voltage from the stun gun, but you might have to hold the 80,000 volt model a second or two longer than the 900,000 volt model. Consider this: a stun gun is effective on many parts of the body. But give yourself the best chance to get the best of your attacker. Hold the stun gun on a body part that has a lot of surface area, such as the chest, abdomen, groin, kidneys, back, etc. An area such as the arm or leg may work fine, but these body parts do not allow you the same amount of surface area that you will need to contact for a few seconds.

What does being stunned with a stun gun feel like?

If you have ever hit your funny bone, multiply that by ten thousand and extend it throughout your entire body. The inability to function and feeling of helplessness combined with the sensation of millions of tiny needles going through your body provides certain inherent physical, mental and emotional trauma.

What type of battery works best in a stun gun?

Stun Guns are powered by 9-volt alkaline batteries. The battery that we recommend using only Energizer 9-volt Alkaline batteries. These batteries seem to work far better than other brands in the stun guns that we carry.

Will the voltage pass from the assailant to the person holding the stun gun?

The electrical shock that emits from the stunning device will not pass from the person being stunned to the person doing the stunning. The effect is localized only in the affected area and does not pass through the body. Even if you or the attacker are wet or standing in water, you will not be shocked.

Stun guns use DC or Direct Current which is also used in a typical car battery. AC or Alternating current, however is the type of current found in your home electricity.

Will test firing a stun gun damage the unit?

Test-firing your stun device is recommended to ensure battery life as well as practice using the stun gun. However, it is recommended not to test fire the unit more than a second or two. Firing the stun gun in the air for too long can damage the unit as it is not grounded. This does not apply when you are applying the unit to an assailant, however, because the stun gun is then grounded out on the person being stunned.

How long will the battery in my stun gun last?

A new Energizer alkaline 9-volt battery will last for quite some time in your Stun Gun or Stun Baton. Unless the unit is discharged frequently, it is no different than a flashlight. However, it is recommended to test fire the unit occasionally to ensure that the batteries are still 100% functional.

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What is Pepper Spray?

Pepper Spray is an aerosol spray used for self-defense. Pepper Spray is a defense spray that consists of a concentrated agent injected into a canister and dispersed, or sprayed, by aerosol.

The concentrated agent is Oleoresin Capsicum. Oleoresin Capsicum is extracted from chili peppers and is the chemical that gives peppers their hot quality. That is why it is called pepper spray. Also, Oleoresin Capsicum is known as “OC” for short. That is why pepper spray is commonly referred to as OC pepper spray.

What is Mace?

Just as many people mistakenly refer to tissue paper as “Kleenex” or refer to a photocopy as a “Xerox,” many people refer to defense sprays as “Mace.” Mace is a brand name that carries a registered trademark owned by Mace Security International (MSI). MSI originally marketed a particular tear gas self defense spray. Today, Mace brand defense sprays either contain OC pepper, tear gas or both.

What is the difference between Pepper Spray and Tear Gas?

Two important differences between pepper spray and tear gas are:

1. Tear gas is an irritant, and therefore its effectiveness relies mainly on pain compliance. Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent. The response to contact with pepper spray is involuntary which makes pepper spray a very effective weapon against drug or alcohol impaired assailants or animals that may not respond to pain.

As Doug Lamb writes in “Tactical Use of Defense Sprays” - When a person is sprayed with OC pepper spray, two things happen instantly. First, the person’s eyes clamp shut, hard. Not only that, but if that person does manage to force his eyes open, the person still cannot see because the OC dilates the capillaries and causes temporary blindness. Second, an immediate fit of uncontrollable coughing doubles the person over because the OC causes instant inflammation of the breathing tissues, restricting all but life support breathing. An assailant who is sprayed with OC stops what he is doing and stops what he is thinking – period. This is true even for those who are drunk, on drugs, or psychotic.

2. Tear gas has a high level of toxicity. OC pepper spray is totally non-toxic.

Are all Pepper Sprays the same?

No, all pepper sprays are not the same.  Pepper sprays are rated in two ways: Percentage of Oleoresin Capsicum in the agent itself, and the “hotness” of the spray, which is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU’s).  The percentage of OC has nothing to do with the SHU rating, and vice versa.

One of the biggest misconceptions about pepper spray is that the higher the OC percentage, the hotter and more effective the spray. In most cases, this could not be further from the truth. The best, fastest incapacitating pepper sprays in the world are from 2% to 10% OC. The lighter the fluid, the faster is penetrates the membranes.

So, the percentage of OC is important, but even more important is the SHU rating, as the percentage has nothing to do with the actual SHU rating or "hotness" of the spray.
A pepper spray with 2,000,000 SHU’s is twice as hot as a pepper spray with 1,000,000 SHU’s.
 

What are the physical effects of Pepper Spray?

Pepper Spray has four physiological effects that may be experienced:

1. Eyes – tearing, involuntary closing or complete closing due to dilation of the eye capillaries. Eyes will appear red/bloodshot for 30 to 60 minutes. People wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses will be equally affected.

2. Respiratory System – immediate inflammation, including swelling of the throat lining which can restrict the airway size. Respiratory functions return to normal within 10 to 45 minutes. The airway will be open enough to allow for sufficient oxygen flow for survival. Due to the reduced airway flow, the person will probably not receive enough oxygen to continue fighting or other sustained physical exertion. Temporary paralysis of the larynx. Uncontrollable coughing, retching, and gasping for air with a gagging sensation in the throat.

3. Effect on the skin: inflammation of the exposed skin with a burning sensation.

4. Effects on muscle coordination: pepper spray exposure may cause a person to lose balance due to the effect of pepper spray on vision.

How can I be assured my Pepper Spray will work when I need it?

You should get in the habit of testing your defense spray every 90 days. To do this first go outside and determine which direction the wind is blowing. Remember to always stand upwind from the direction you are spraying. Depress the firing mechanism for ½ second. This test should be performed upon purchase and every 90 days after that. Be aware that every time you test your spray you reduce the contents of the canister. If you are using a key chain model and you test regularly you will need to replace the unit every 9 to 12 months if you follow the recommended testing procedure above.

How long will my Pepper Spray last?

Most pepper sprays have an expiration date stamped on the canister, usually 2 to 4 years from the time of manufacture.

Although the spray life is indefinite it does start to lose potency over time. Any use of the spray beyond the expiration date is highly unadvisable. We strongly advise you to replace your pepper spray long before the expiration date! That way you are always assured of the potency of the spray.

Take your old one to a safe place and target practice with it. Become familiar with how far it will spray, how to unlock it, etc. When practicing with your defensive spray, be aware of air movements and wind patterns and be very careful not to contaminate yourself.

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