Pepper spray is not a lethal weapon, but it can be a pretty dangerous and harmful weapon. All it takes is for the liquid of the spray to get into someone’s eyes and they will be hurting for up to 2 hours.

However, you could also get the spray in your own eyes if you’re not careful. That is why there are certain pepper spray rules that everyone should follow. These rules apply no matter what the laws are about lachrymatory agent in your particular location.

Standing Distance

The first rule is to stand at least 3 feet away from your attacker before you spray the bottle at their eyes. Most pepper sprays have a long range of up to 12 feet, whether you’re spraying a stream or mist. You are not expected to spray the bottle directly in front of their eyes because of its impressive range.

Not only that, it is too risky to get that close to an attacker anyway. If you’re standing in front of an attacker with your capsicum spray bottle, they will be in range to snatch the bottle away from you before you even get a chance to use it. Standing over 3 feet away helps you avoid this from happening.

Expiration Date

Pepper spray bottles do not last forever. The reason these sprays are able to shoot so far away is that they are aerosol bottles. The only problem with aerosol is that it gradually loses pressure over the months and years. When a pepper spray bottle has been manufactured, it only has a shelf life of about 2 years.

After this time, the pepper spray will no longer be able to spray at any range. This means you’ll need to purchase a new one again. So, make sure you remember to replay your unused pepper spray bottle after a few years. 

Safety Mechanism

Pepper spray bottles are made with a safety mechanism. The purpose of this mechanism is to help you avoid accidentally spraying yourself or someone else in the face. The trigger will stay locked as long as the safety mechanism is still active.

It is very easy to unlock the safety mechanism because you can do it with one hand. This allows you to prepare it quickly when you’re in a dangerous situation where you don’t have a lot of time. And, of course, make sure the spray hole is always pointed away from your face when you aim the bottle at another person.