Thoughts on pepper spray?
ArchyJill
Posts: 548 Member
I run at odd hours and although I live and run in a decent neighborhood I know I couldn't outrun an attacker. Have thought about pepper spray but am concerned that it could be used against me and/or what could happen if my toddler got a a hold of it somehow. If anyone has any experience with pepper spray I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
0
Replies
-
I think it is an offensive weapon which could, as you say, be used against you and tthe perosn who turns it round on you may be unhinged enough to empty the whole can and kill you.
Well you did ask.0 -
Like anything else, it has its place, but it also has its limitations.
Pepper spray requires you to get it into the eyes of the attacker to work best. That can be problematic for a number of reasons, being approached from behind, wind, rain, etc. There is also a high chance of cross contamination, meaning, you spray the attacker and end up with some of it in your eyes. It is not fun, at all and it can put you in danger if you disable yourself. This is part of the reason why law enforcement training requires officers to be sprayed.
Also consider that pepper spray is not 100% effective, even if used in the ideal scenerio. It often is not effective for people under the influence or goal oriented people.
Bottomline, if you do use it, make sure you don't rely on it soley, have a back up plan.
I personally would not'/do not use it.0 -
Carrying pepper spray is illegal here but I do have marker spray for cycling to and from work. Its not meant to disable the attacker but it stains clothes and skin so the police can easily identify the culprit. May be something else to consider.0
-
Lots of collateral damage.
In some places, you have to be licensed to buy or carry it.0 -
Really? I could care less wether it was legal or not. It's my safety and life that may be in jeopardy. If somebody messes with me while I'm running, they'll learn to not do it again!
To all the posters above me that think it's wrong to defend yourself against an attacker....... good luck!0 -
Really? I could care less wether it was legal or not. It's my safety and life that may be in jeopardy. If somebody messes with me while I'm running, they'll learn to not do it again!
To all the posters above me that think it's wrong to defend yourself against an attacker....... good luck!
Defend yes. To use something which may kill (look up positional asphixia) the opponent; no. There are far more effective and less Injurious methods which will not end up with you facing a possible manslaughter charge.0 -
Really? I could care less wether it was legal or not. It's my safety and life that may be in jeopardy. If somebody messes with me while I'm running, they'll learn to not do it again!
To all the posters above me that think it's wrong to defend yourself against an attacker....... good luck!
Defend yes. To use something which may kill (look up positional asphixia) the opponent; no. There are far more effective and less Injurious methods which will not end up with you facing a possible manslaughter charge.
The chance of death due to oc spray is pretty rare. If you were using it to defend yourself and death occurred a manslaughter charge would be an awfully hard one to prove.0 -
Take the time to pull a weapon on an attacker? You may fumble it in the panic and use it on yourself? Or have it taken off of you?
Best bet is to kick someone in the nuts (hard) and run off. It's a weapon that always on you and ready to go at a moments notice.0 -
belly holster and a small .380 auto works well too
0 -
Really? I could care less wether it was legal or not. It's my safety and life that may be in jeopardy. If somebody messes with me while I'm running, they'll learn to not do it again!
To all the posters above me that think it's wrong to defend yourself against an attacker....... good luck!
THIS. I'm in complete agreement.0 -
Really? I could care less wether it was legal or not. It's my safety and life that may be in jeopardy. If somebody messes with me while I'm running, they'll learn to not do it again!
To all the posters above me that think it's wrong to defend yourself against an attacker....... good luck!
Defend yes. To use something which may kill (look up positional asphixia) the opponent; no. There are far more effective and less Injurious methods which will not end up with you facing a possible manslaughter charge.
The chance of death due to oc spray is pretty rare. If you were using it to defend yourself and death occurred a manslaughter charge would be an awfully hard one to prove.
- but the fact that it has happened (plenty on the internet) means i would not be my first defense of choice.0 -
I would use it and I would treat it like I would anything else that's dangerous for my child to have. I'd just keep it out of my child's reach.0
-
I've thought of pepper spray myself. We have a lot in my family that have concealed gun permits and use them, though I myself don't (someday I may get to it). If you're unsure/nervous, I'd say the first thing you can do is take a self-defense class. There's a heck of a lot you can do with your elbow to the face or knee to the nuts! Vary where you run so creepers don't have you on an easy schedule. Keep your cell phone (and have your family know where you are). You don't have to live in the slums to be attacked, so it's great you're thinking and planning.
ETA: when I say they "use" concealed gun permits, I hope you know I mean to actually carry sidearms on them, not using the sidearms willy-nilly
0 -
Carrying pepper spray is illegal here but I do have marker spray for cycling to and from work. Its not meant to disable the attacker but it stains clothes and skin so the police can easily identify the culprit. May be something else to consider.
:noway: Really? You can't defend yourself but you can mark your attacker so they can have stained clothes AFTER they rape/kill you?0 -
My partner wants me to carry some when I walk. So we're looking into it I guess. I'm not opposed to it- I feel like if someone was seriously going to try and attack me they deserve whatever they get. I only go out in broad daylight on a fairly busy street so it's not a huge concern anyways. Honestly I should probably be more worried about getting hit by a car or attacked by a stray dog, lol. Dogs are a much bigger fear for me since I've run into an aggressive (and big) one before and had no defense- not a good feeling. I think my cousin sometimes runs with bear spray- I'm not sure what the difference is between that and pepper spray- need to do some research.0
-
I consider it a low calorie condiment so I don't log it.0
-
My partner wants me to carry some when I walk. So we're looking into it I guess. I'm not opposed to it- I feel like if someone was seriously going to try and attack me they deserve whatever they get. I only go out in broad daylight on a fairly busy street so it's not a huge concern anyways. Honestly I should probably be more worried about getting hit by a car or attacked by a stray dog, lol. Dogs are a much bigger fear for me since I've run into an aggressive (and big) one before and had no defense- not a good feeling. I think my cousin sometimes runs with bear spray- I'm not sure what the difference is between that and pepper spray- need to do some research.
Bear spray is not as strong. Both work great for dogs and you don't even really need to hit them, just spraying it will likely deter them.0 -
Pepper spray is illegal here but bear spray (bought at any army surplus) is not and I'd have no problem using it on someone. My only concern is that the wind be going the wrong way and I"m not able to use it how I intend, or worse I use it on myself. I wish we could concealed carry in Canada, I'd just pull out my gun LOL
ETA I think someone posted a funny pic of running shorts with a spot for a gun that made me giggle. I wouldn't run with a gun for real, too heavy :P0 -
I consider it a low calorie condiment so I don't log it.
hahahaha, brilliant.0 -
http://www.mace.com/mace-pepper-spray-gel/compact-pocketable-mace-pepper-spray/mace-triple-action-pocket.html
The link about is what I carry in my pocket when I run --- I have my house key attached to it. I never used to carry it until a group of kids started chasing me and one of them tried to take my cell phone out of my hand. I only run at night.
I did make sure that it is legal in my state before ordering this specific one - that way, should I ever have to use it, I cannot get in trouble for using an illegal weapon.0 -
Any weapon you carry has the chance of being used against you. If I run (which is rare) I take my dog. She may only be 30 lbs but when she decides to be not so friendly she can definitely discourage about anyone from approaching. Or else I take my horse, which may seem silly but keeping a 1200 lb animal between you and an attacker is quite a defense mechanism.0
-
Pepper spray is illegal here but bear spray (bought at any army surplus) is not and I'd have no problem using it on someone. My only concern is that the wind be going the wrong way and I"m not able to use it how I intend, or worse I use it on myself. I wish we could concealed carry in Canada
In Canada, bear spray is legal but it is not legal to be sold in small canisters that allow you to carry it easily. Bear spray should be in larger cannister. As I mentioned above, it isn't as strong either, so bear that in mind (no pun intended). I also believe it isn't in a stream like OC spray.0 -
Pepper spray is illegal here but bear spray (bought at any army surplus) is not and I'd have no problem using it on someone. My only concern is that the wind be going the wrong way and I"m not able to use it how I intend, or worse I use it on myself. I wish we could concealed carry in Canada
In Canada, bear spray is legal but it is not legal to be sold in small canisters that allow you to carry it easily. Bear spray should be in larger cannister. As I mentioned above, it isn't as strong either, so bear that in mind (no pun intended). I also believe it isn't in a stream like OC spray.
Going to have to get a good knife then, also useful for zombie attack (which I'm more irrationally frightened of vs a person lol)0 -
I carry pepper spray when I run, walk, and cycle. My neighborhood is a good one, but it is in the middle of my city, and it is not a gated type community, so anyone can be there. I have only felt threatened one time in four years of running.
But I carry the spray more for dogs. I have actually used it twice on dogs. Once while the owner was standing and watching his dog corner me and try to attack. I should have used the spray on him!!
I feel safer having the spray with me, but I will say that you have to be careful. One of the times I used it, it got all over my hands without me knowing. I was determined not to let a dog ruin my run, so I had kept running after the "attack" (the dog did not actually touch me, the owner finally got it under control). As I was sweating, I wiped the sweat out of my face with my hands. Soon my face started burning. I still hadnt made the connection. I ran home and hopped in the shower, washing my face with my hands (yet another mistake). I ended up with the stuff in my eyes. It was really pretty awful, but it could have been much worse. I just stayed under the shower and let it run over my face for about 10 minutes and the burning finally stopped.
So use with caution. But I still feel better carrying it.
I once had a combo pepper spray/personal alarm that I loved. The alarm made a high pitched sound that was supposed to repel dogs (and bears too lol! I never tested that!). It worked, and I could use that first before going to the spray.
Eventually it stopped working, and I havent been able to find another like it.0 -
Good gust of wind and you mace yourself. I wont use it, but im getting my concealed carry.
You attack me, you are making me chose my life or yours.0 -
I feel like this thread has the potential of turning into stranger danger part 2.0
-
There's a good piece related to this topic here: http://www.runtheplanet.com/trainingracing/safety/rtpselfd.asp0
-
If it's really a concern, then either run in designated running places where there are lots of people, or run where there is a lot of public. Attackers usually go after isolated people and don't want to be seen.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I carry pepper spray when I walk or cycle, mostly for dogs. Dogs are particularly a problem where I cycle, which is in the country so there are lots of non-fenced aggressive dogs.0
-
Really? I could care less wether it was legal or not. It's my safety and life that may be in jeopardy. If somebody messes with me while I'm running, they'll learn to not do it again!
To all the posters above me that think it's wrong to defend yourself against an attacker....... good luck!
Pretty much how I feel about that too :laugh:
I don't have pepper spray, but I do have dog spray attached to my keys, just in case. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm told it's fairly close to using pepper spray, but not as strong - I would only want to use it to spray in an attackers eyes, giving me more time to get away and/or defend myself in other ways, not use it as my only defense technique. It would be a last resort only type of measure, and if you would feel more comfortable with it, then I don't see a problem. ]
Keep it somewhere safe where your kids can't get to it, and you'll be fine - just like you probably don't leave your kitchen knifes laying on the floor. Be smart about it and I don't think there would be an issue.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 427 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions