A:  Anything that can buy you distance, buys you time – and that buys you safety. I have become a fairly recent convert to the benefits of pepper spray. The old chemical "mace" was dangerous, unreliable and had lasting effects. Modern pepper sprays containing OC are better at quickly affecting the bad guy’s eyes and mucus membranes. I don’t think the sprays subdue someone as much as they distract someone. But, the bad guys don’t like pain more than most of us, so they will generally keep their distance if you appear to have the resolve to use that little can.  When you get a good dose of it in your eyes -- you'll be crying the blues for a good 45 minutes.  The spray doesn't affect my breathing as much as it affects my eyes.  I really have a tough time seeing after getting sprayed for between 30 and 45 minutes.  I know other guys that have their breathing affected also.

According to C. Gregory Smith, MD, MPH, and Woodhall Stopford, MD, MSPH, writing in the North Carolina Medical Journal, more than 2000 public safety agencies now use some form of pepper spray to subdue and arrest aggressive and violent persons.

In other words, it’s better for everyone involved to use pepper spray to stop the bad guy than to hit him hard enough to stop him.

As far as restrictions, the authors of the article above claim, "These sprays can be readily purchased via the Internet, and most states place little or no restriction on their purchase."

I think only a few states like New York and California have restrictions on them. However, you will NOT be allowed to take your pepper spray on the airplane or into a courtroom.

While you can debate the effects of the spray, I assert the real benefit is that the bad guys THINK that pepper spray is nasty and effective. I have seen a big, tough guy actually run away from a little old lady who wielded a can of the stuff.

Plus pepper spray is considered a non-lethal weapon so you will probably hesitate less when deciding when to deploy it.

The bad news is that you can’t count on the spray to stop or disable your attacker – despite the advertising claims. Some sprays are weaker than others. Some people can still function after being sprayed (some have a higher tolerance than others) and most attackers will turn their head away from the spray as they rush in to tackle you denying you a good target.

To use your spray effectively:

1. Carry the can in your hand with your thumb on top of the trigger. (Make sure the little hole is pointed in the correct position –facing away from you – when you are holding it.)
2. When you are confronted, back up and begin spraying back and forth like you would a can of air freshener, creating a shield of pepper fog between you and the attacker.
3. Make him come through the fog to get at you. The spray won’t stop him, but he will be distracted as he tries to avoid the spray. And, if you are lucky and good, you’ve doused him really good so the chili pepper oil begins to get in his eyes and mouth.
4. Use the distraction to either escape or to physically defend yourself. But don’t just stand there.