Pepper Spray Questions

[f308gt4]

Thinking about getting some pepper spray for my 16 year old. Did some research, but still have a few questions.

It seems like many like the Sabre brand sprays, and likely something I will go with.

Here are my questions:

1) Most of the Sabre brand sprays contain UV dye. Why UV, as opposed to the blue dye? I would think that a blue dye would be better, since it clearly marks the perp.

2) gel vs spray? Seems like gel might be the better option, though it seems to be only available with UV dye (see question 1).

3) Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[edgerly779]

If she uses it and is not justified then criminal charges remember

[billped]

1) if the dye is easily visible, it will be washed repeatedly and hidden

[jimx]

YouTube has videos from several manufacturers that discuss the different types of spray

[Kestryll]

UV dye in very hard to wash off unlike most other colorants added to sprays, it makes it hard for someone to wipe it off and say 'wasn't me'.
UV dye also doesn't show up without a UV light, if they can't see it bad guys would be less inclined to scrub it off.

Gel/foam is good because it sticks and has less chance of overspray but it needs to be aimed.
Spray is good because less accuracy is required and has a wider hit pattern but it can hit others or even blow back on you in the wind.

UV dye pic, regular light and UV light:

[Foebia]

If my 16 yo I would spray them so they know it's no joke. Don't eff around with the stuff.

[Librarian]

Know which way the wind is blowing, and get UP wind before use.

Indoor use is likely to get everyone nearby, including the user.

Like modern artillery, use is 'shoot and scoot' - don't hang around, RUN AWAY.

[WMG]

I use Sabre spray, I'd suggest nothing smaller than 70grams and learn to use your thumb not trigger finger to discharge it.
I could care less what dye or lack of it contains.
Get away first , everything else is a far second

[L84CABO]

I'm a fan of Fox Labs. They have a visible green dye version and a UV version.

Note that the maximum legal size in CA is 2.5 oz. And you may want to pickup a training version so she can practice with it a bit. You may also want to pickup a few cans for her. A small one she can keep on her key chain, a larger can she can keep in her vehicle, etc. And then have the talk with her about a) making sure she always has it and b) making sure that she keeps it easily accessible and not buried on the bottom of her purse.

But with that said, think about the ramifications of school. I'm sure it's probably not allowed on her campus but don't know if that's a school policy or a law. And while she may be perfectly trustworthy, it only takes one idiot friend to get ahold of it to create an "incident."

http://foxlabs.com

[mossy]

if you spray it indoors everyone in the room will feel it. if you spray it in the wind you are in for a bad time. if she is carrying it to school it is most likely a banned item that van get her in trouble.

[Quiet]

Gel is slightly heavier and not suppose to be affected as much by weather conditions (wind, etc). It's also, suppose to be better for use indoors (lies!) and for clean up indoors (more lies). However, it requires better accuracy than a spray (stream vs spray).

Which ever you choose, get two. Use one for practice (get a feel for it's range, area of effect, etc) and carry the other.

[CreamyFettucini]

Def tech has inert versions of the pepper spray for practice. Though it's good to be exposed to the chemical agents so she knows what to expect when she's in the fight.

[Quiet]

Under CA laws...

Max container size is 2.5oz. [PC 22810(e)(1)]

Since she is a minor that is 16 or older, as her parent/legal guardian, you will need to provide her with written permission for her to legally possess it for personal protection. She will need to keep the written permission with the device. [PC 22815(a)]

In addition, because she is a minor, as her parent/legal guardian, you are civilly liabe any time she uses it. [PC 22815(c)]

Possessing it on school grounds is not legal [EDC 49330(a)(1)(F)&(G)] and will result in confiscation [EDC 49331] and her being suspended.

[hermosabeach]

I like the twist top option where you slide the lever to the right to spray...
The flip top can be sprayed when stuff in the purse hits it

Many police sprays have no top/ safety as the belt pouch is the safety / cap.



Buy 1-2 of the same option on eBay of the expired or soon to be expired stuff.

Go to a side yard and practice with it...
Paper plate on a fence to act as a face

Spray it for 1 - 3'seconds

Place in purse, shake up purse, blow a whistle - they are then timed to find the spray, produce it, take of safety and squirt the paper plate

[jimx]