Originally Posted by TimothyH

Some people here are talking about bear spray, Mace and pepper spray. I'm sure they are using the terms interchangeably but it is important to know the different types of sprays.

There are three basic types of sprays known commonly as CN, CS and OC.

CN and CS are irritants. They irritate membrane tissues and cause a combination of stinging, tearing and nausea depending on the type of spray. These may take up to 30 seconds to become effective and they do not work if the attacker cannot feel pain such as someone who is psychotic, drunk or on drugs. CN and CS sprays are the ones you see on youtube where the attacker keeps coming. They also will not work on big, stupid dogs which are oblivious to pain.

OC is an inflammatory agent. This is different from an irritant. It dialates capilaries in the eyes causing temporary blindness and irritates membranes/larynx so as to cause difficulty breathing and extreme burning pain. OC spray is immediately effective. An attacker or dog's eyes slam shut and if hit in the nose or mouth, they start gasping for air. I can vouch from experience that this will blind a dog. OC sprays are the most humane way to deal with a dog as it wears off completely with no lasting side effects and is environmentally safe.

You want OC spray, not CN or CS. You also want a stream, not a fogger. The newest gels won't atomize and so minimize blowback and overspray. Gels are great for a bike.

Bear spray is usually strong enough to be illegal to spray at pets and people in most places. Mace is a brand.

-Tim-