OC-Pepper Spray

These defensive sprays have applications in riot control as well as personal defense. OC can be sprayed on individual aggressors within a crowd, applied to violent clusters of individuals, or sprayed broadly into a crowd to disperse it. It serves as a vital less-lethal weapon to potentially de-escalate situations before lethal force is required, giving defenders another option to defuse hostile encounters. Compared to traditional tear gas devices, OC is legal nearly everywhere and widely commercially available in a dazzling variety of forms.

Stream is the most accurate. Spray is more accurate than a fog but easier to hit the bad guy in a panic. Fog is best indoors, but most likely to cross-contaminate. Gel sticks, but requires precision.

There are two main methods of OC dispersal: liquid aerosol and blast expulsion.

• Aerosol canisters use compressed air or the pressurized solution itself to expel a fine spray of liquid agent. This is the type most commonly used by law enforcement and for self-defense. It is the same mechanism as many aerosol products around the home.
• Blast expulsion covers using an explosive or other force, including inertia, to eject a powdery, micro-pulverized chemical agent. Compressed air is found in the commercial Kimber Pepper Blaster product. Explosive, or often just inertial dispersion from when the container ruptures on impact, is most often found in riot control munition 12 gauge shells or 37/40mm grenades.

Fogging refers to using a heat source to vaporize a liquid to release it as a cloud of "fog" vapor. These devices are commonly referred to as “pepper foggers” which are distinct from the "fog" spray patterns of aerosol canisters. Foggers are typically used to disperse large quantities of CS gas and not OC.

The effective range of OC canisters can vary depending on the specific formulation, propellant, and design. The MK3, MK4 and MK9 designations refer to different sizes of pepper spray canisters, with MK3 being smaller and MK9 being the largest. Some generic examples of different capacity canisters are listed below, but actual specs may vary by brand.

In discussing various OC spray dispensers, considerations revolve around the type of spray, including stream, cone, foam, gel, vapor patterns and the “360” degree claim. Pattern is an important consideration in selecting a device as it will affect the coverage, range, and accuracy of delivery. Some patterns are unsuitable for crowd control or use in high wind, while others are best when discriminate delivery is necessary. It would be worth the money to buy a few inert canisters to practice with and to visualize the spray pattern.

Streams are likened to laser precision, minimizing blowback, while cone (some times “fog”) sprays create an OC cloud, increasing the chance of hitting the target but posing a higher risk of self-contamination. Cone-shaped mist sprays offer a shotgun-like pattern for efficient face hits and coverage, yet they are most susceptible to wind and cross-contamination.

Streamers, with a longer range and lower cross-contamination risk, demand more accurate placement for effective use. The accuracy allows the stream to be “steered” and, for example, can be fired directly into the center of the face or aimed at openings in masks. Most law enforcement agencies use stream patterns to strictly control where the OC goes. The advantages of stream-type dispensers include their usability in windy conditions, outperforming certain spray-style units. Careful aiming is necessary to deliver an effective eye hit, though streams do provide some “splashing” effect to carryover the solution to other parts of the face.

Gel sprays, resembling streamers but thicker, exhibit minimal aerosolization, resulting in zero respiratory effects. Caution is advised with "gel" versions due to reported issues, including longer onset times. Gels’ narrow streams and low aerosolization are preferred in sensitive environments like courts, hospitals, and correctional facilities due to their reduced cross-contamination potential. However, direct eye hits are essential.

When selecting OC (pepper spray), it is recommended to aim for a Major Capsaicinoid Content (MCC) between approximately 0.7% and 2%. The MCC is a crucial measurement as it accurately represents the strength of the entire formulation. Do not to solely rely on SHU or the percentage of OC listed, as these numbers can be deceptive. MCC is a more consistent and reliable indicator of strength. For instance, “10% OC” would indicate that a tenth of the solution in the container is the active ingredient and the remaining 90% would be the alcohol or water based solution. MCC, with 1.3% being an ideal percentage for anti-personnel use. However, anything over 0.7% MCC is considered acceptable for effective defensive use.

You can get aerosol pepper spray or tear gas grenades. These work just like bugbombs. You can toss an aerosol tear gas (CS) or pepper spray (OC) grenade along with a smoke grenade to create a sort-of combined effect and fake people out into thinking it's a true tear gas grenade.

OC grenades in this context are aerosol containers that either dispense from a top-mounted nozzle or through a tubular aperture. These are distinct items from pyrotechnic OC grenades, which are covered in the tear gas chapter. One example is a six-ounce can that will cover up to 10,000ft3 in 60 seconds (total diffusion time) with a device discharge time of approximately six seconds.
A valve continuously sprays until the pressure supply is exhausted. These are unidirectional cone sprays. Once you press that button, it starts spraying until empty, usually for about 10-15 seconds. The range of their spray isn’t great. They obtain maximum coverage when placed vertically (like a bug bomb), but if thrown, will likely only spray in whatever direction they land. They also don’t spin around and project the spray in a radial pattern. What it does do outside is create a direct line of spray and can form an irritating aerosol cloud.
OC grenades are ideal for crowd management, area denial, and extracting persons from confined spaces (cells, rooms, attics, crawl spaces). Extraction grenades are intended for barricaded subjects such as a violent inmate in a cell. They often come with small, short vinyl tubing intended to deploy the substance into a confined area through a small opening.

Rules of Engagement (ROE)

Use of OC is legally restricted to situations where physical force is appropriate in self-defense. In other words, if you could hit the person, you can use OC. Though local laws may vary, a person must feel that they are imminent danger of physical harm. In the use of force continuum, OC usually falls into the same category as punches, but below firearms and impact weapons. While uncomfortable, neither blows nor OC should result in any serious or last injury. Note that inappropriate use of OC could constitute assault and/or battery in your jurisdiction.

OC and other less-lethal weapons should only be used in necessary self-defense when lesser methods have failed. It should never be used as a punitive weapon simply to inflict suffering. Verbal direction, passive methods, and (where appropriate) physical redirection should be used first, though post-SHTF, especially in a WROL situation, these lesser means may not be practicable.
OC is not intended as a substitute or replacement for firearms when a lethal threat is being presented.

The intended effect of chemical agents including OC are, categorically:

• Distract
• Disorient
• Disrupt activities
• Disperse
• Disable

OC does all of that. With proper deployment, the subject is in too much blinding pain to do anything other than run away or beg for relief. Untreated, a seriously affected individual will be unable to see effectively to fight for at least ten minutes, probably greater if they are not decontaminated. Even small doses can get the uncommitted to leave. A protest crowd providing cover for violent actors within it might be convinced to go home if they suddenly are pepper sprayed.