Knockout Pepper Spray review

This is a review of the Knockout Pepper Spray - a great self defense tool for women and a must-have in present times. A pepper spray is a nonlethal aerosol spray that causes temporary blindness and potential burning/irritation of skin and mucous membranes. It is used to disable an attacker, giving you time to run away and save yourself. In Boxing, 'knockout' means to defeat an opponent. 

Price: INR 399

Quantity: 35 gms
Also available in a keychain and plastic-clip packing variations.

INGREDIENTS:

The active ingredient mentioned on a pepper spray can is Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). Oleoresin Capsicum is extracted from crushed capsicum and its main constituents are capsaicin and capsanthin. Therefore, the actual thing that causes the stingy burning sensation is 'Capsaicin'.

Ever chopped green chillies? Remember the burning that remains if you happen to touch your face later, even after washing hands with soap. Well, that is nothing as compared to the burning sensation caused by a pepper spray. Capsaicin is so hot that a single drop diluted in 100,000 drops of water will produce a blistering of the tongue.

HOW TO USE?

Always carry the pepper spray with you in your handbag or purse. When you are in a dangerous situation and cannot figure a way out immediately, use this to buy time. 

• Shake the can to activate the spray
• aim the nozzle towards the attacker
• spray directly in his face/eyes
• As easy as spraying a deo or perfume

Even a half second spray (you heard it right, half-second) is good enough to incapacitate the attacker. While he is struggling with it, you get time to figure your way out or to run for help.

EFFECTIVENESS?

Effective upto 8 Feet. Meaning even if you spray at someone from 8 ft distance, the jet will still reach the attacker and affect him. In fact, it can be used on a group of attackers too. The whole can empties out in 9 seconds, so you need to be really quick and not lose your wits.

HOW LONG DOES THE EFFECT LAST?

The can says the effect lasts for 30-45 minutes, but from personal experience, the burning lasts up to some 7 hours.

HOW DOES PEPPER SPRAY WORK?

The pepper spray works immediately. It causes excessive burning in the eyes leading to temporary blindness. The spray that enters the nose through breath badly irritates the mucous membranes of the nose causing unbearable burning. The spray that lands up on the skin irritates and burns the skin badly for 30-45 min and then it starts toning down.

IS IT LEGAL TO CARRY AND KEEP A PEPPER SPRAY?

AVAILABILITY:

Pepper sprays are now easily available online at medplusbeauty.com, healthkart.com, safetykart.com. Google search for other websites. Easily available at most chemist shops.

Other Brands in India: Cobra, Chilliguard. You can search on the internet for more brands. 

THE STORY BEHIND MY PEPPER SPRAY CAN

image courtesy gapingvoid.com

One Sunday evening in 2010, I alone went shopping to Rajouri Garden in New Delhi. There are 4-5 adjoining shopping malls in that area. I was pleasantly surprised to find Delhi Police guarding the area around the Rajouri Garden Metro Station, as Commonwealth Games were just a few days away. I was travelling the next day and after finishing shopping some essentials, I realized it was already 8:30 PM. It was a little late for me to be out. But because I was just 10 min metro ride away from my home, I didn't panic.

While I was walking from the Shoppers Stop Mall towards The Metro Station, there was a small strip of road, just 20-25 steps from the Metro Station. It was a shady portion with no light and construction going on. A 40+aged man passed by me on a bike and muttered something. I couldn't hear the words but 'felt' he said something to me. I looked ahead and saw the same man standing 5 steps from the Metro Station. He pretended to be talking on the phone when I happened to notice he was watching me from the bike's mirror. This made me a little uneasy and subconsciously my hand went into my handbag to take out my phone... and what reached my hand was this Knockout Pepper Spray Can. I shook the can a little within the handbag itself and held it in position. I still kept thinking I might be mistaken but there was no harm in being prepared.

The moment I was passing by him, he tried to physically attack and phsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss went the pepper spray in his face. When in such a situation, your heart is racing madly and you lose count of time. I could NOT figure out half a second as mentioned on the spray can, but I sprayed some good 3-4 seconds. He was hiding his face behind a helmet with visor open but it rather helped me aim his eyes. It still gives me a real high when I remember his face expression at that moment. He got the SHOCK errr I mean the SPRAY of his LIFE and tried to control his bike to run away. Because he got blinded immediately, he happened to land on the road divider and fell badly along with his bike. A few drops of the spray reached my skin while spraying and I realized when I felt burning on my hands. It remained for a good 7 hours and made me very happy that his eyes and face would have stung for that much time too, with a higher intensity.

Shamefully, it all happened right in front of Delhi police and they still couldn't notice a thing. When I went and asked them what kind of duty they are doing, the policeman asked me what happened, why didn't I call them. Shame shame Delhi Police and Hip hip Hurray Pepper Spray!

I had bought it and it kept lying in my bag for months and I had almost forgotten I had one. I was lucky that it was in my handbag that day, and that I was in a crowded place. When I disabled the attacker, my confidence returned within a few seconds, though my heart was throbbing for the next 2 hours. But God forbid, when in such a situation, NEVER lose your calm, no matter how scared you are. 

Stay safe, stay happy!