Mace Spray Faqs
Is pepper spray same as mace?

It’s one of the common mace pepper spray FAQ. The Basics – Mace and pepper spray are two DIFFERENT self defense products: Traditional chemical mace (CN) is classified as an irritant and is similar to tear gas. Pepper spray is classified as an inflammatory agent and will immediately incapacitate an assailant.

What does mace spray do?

Pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum spray, OC spray, capsaicin spray, capsicum spray, or mace is a lachrymatory agent (a compound that irritates the eyes to cause a burning sensation, pain, and temporary blindness) used in policing, riot control, crowd control, and self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears.

Which is worse pepper spray or mace?

Ultimately, due to the chemical CN in mace, it’s classified as a type of tear gas. Due to some restrictions, mace is harder to have and use in the U.S. Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent, making it harmful and toxic to those sprayed with it, distracting them, and allowing you to run away fast.

What will mace do to a human?

Skin exposures can cause pain, redness, swelling, and itching. Inhalation exposures can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, nasal and throat irritation, and runny nose. These effects are usually mild and temporary, lasting minutes to hours.

How long does mace spray last?

It’s one of the common mace pepper spray FAQ. Upon direct contact with eyes, respiratory system and mucous membranes, the active ingredients in the pepper spray will cause eyes to slam shut, coughing, and an intense burning sensation to the skin. Effects will last up to 45 minutes to and hour.

How long does mace take to work?

The onset of symptoms is almost immediate. The severity of symptoms depend on concentration, duration of exposure, and proximity to the spray discharge. Eyes: Stinging, burning, tearing and redness, temporary blindness, with reports of corneal abrasion in 8% of exposed cases.

How long does mace last in the air?

“How long does pepper spray last in the air?” There isn’t a hard and fast rule for how long pepper spray can linger, but the substance could remain in the air for about 30 minutes after its deployed. When you’re outdoors, this isn’t a huge problem – the wind will dilute the potency of the spray fairly quickly.

Which is stronger mace or bear spray?

Standard pepper sprays have around 1 million SHUs, while bear sprays pack 3 million SHUs, so it’s about three times as potent as the self-defense products.

Is mace the same as bear spray?

Most pepper sprays have a volume just less than an ounce and can spray up to 10 feet effectively. Bear spray, on the other hand, has more than six times as much spray and is much more pressurized. Its effective distance is about 30 feet, sometimes more.

How do you shower after pepper spray?

Wash your skin with a cleansing solution, such as hand soap, shampoo or even dish soap, and rinse with water. Soaps help break up and remove the oil when water can’t. Use a “no tears” baby shampoo to help rinse the pepper spray from the eye area.

When can you use mace?

The immediate danger of you being killed, injured, sexually touched or robbed. The immediate danger of someone near you being killed, injured, sexually touched or robbed. This danger had to be resisted with force. The force used was only what was necessary to defend yourself or the other person.

I am afraid it will be used against me, will it?

The unique Mace® “Flip and Grip” design protects you in two ways. One, the design prevents you from accidentally spraying yourself since you have to flip up the lid to dispense the pepper spray. Second, the finger grip housing causes you to properly hold the spray so that you aim it most effectively. Since you won’t accidentally spray yourself and you will aim it properly, you will deliver the spray to your target. When the attacker is sprayed, they won’t be able to take it from you.

Will it kill the attacker?

While painful, the intense burning of the skin, eyes, and throat that pepper spray causes usually resolves on its own and does not require advanced medical treatment. Death is rare.

What are the different formulas?

OC Pepper: Oleoresin capsicum is a naturally occurring substance derived from hot peppers. OC Pepper causes an intense burning sensation to the skin, eyes and throat upon contact. Mace® Brand defense sprays are available in different strengths to satisfy virtually every requirement.

Tear Gas: Tear Gas is a lachrymatory agent, or lachrymator, which stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes thereby causing profuse tearing and pain, an intense burning sensation to the skin and shortness of breath. Common lachrymators include CN tear gas (omega-chloroacetophenone) and CS tear gas (ortho-chlorobenzalmalononitrile).

Blended Sprays: Mace Brand Triple Action formula combines OC Pepper, CN tear gas and UV dye. The advantage of this formula is that it that you don’t have to hit the attacker in the face; even if you hit them in the chest the tear gas will affect your attacker.

Animal Sprays: We also manufactures products for use as deterrents against dogs and bears. Our Muzzle® Canine Pepper Spray and Bear Pepper Mace® are EPA registered products and are effective, humane, non-lethal canine and bear deterrents.

UV Dye: The majority of Mace Brand Defense Sprays include a UV Dye. This is an invisible marking dye which may help police identify you attacker using an ultraviolet light to show that the individual has in fact been sprayed by pepper spray.

What if you accidentally spray yourself or someone else?

In case of accidental exposure to the contents of your pepper spray, follow these first aid instructions: Remove contact lenses and contaminated clothing immediately.

Flush contaminated area with large quantities of cool water or a diluted baking soda solution. 3) Expose the area to fresh air as soon as possible. Do not apply salves, creams, oils or lotions as they can trap the irritant agent against the skin and result in blisters or burns. Consult a physician if irritation persists.

Contaminated clothing should be washed or dry-cleaned, as appropriate, prior to re-use to prevent skin injury. Caution: failure to follow these instructions may result in first or second degree burns, severe skin irritation, depigmentation or other skin injury.

What is the proper way to store pepper spray?

Store your pepper spray in cool dry area away from heat, flame or strong light. Do not store it in an environment where the temperature may exceed 120 degrees F (50 degrees C) such as an enclosed vehicle. The Pepper Spray cartridge may leak from over pressurization and fail to function properly. Do not store unit in a cold environment under 32 degrees F (0 degrees C). This may cause depressurization and the loss of effective range.

Can I use the pepper spray after it’s expired?

Mace Brand defense sprays have a shelf life of four years from the date of manufacture and each Mace Brand unit is labeled with an expiration date. An expired unit will not have the amount of pressurization needed to spray properly. Expired units should be disposed of in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations. We recommend purchasing a new unit every two to three years to make sure you are always safe!

What is the difference between Mace and pepper spray?

Mace Brand is actually a brand of pepper spray. Mace Brand pepper spray is created with OC, Oleoresin capsicum. It’s a naturally occurring substance derived from hot peppers. The second biggest ingredient is triple filtered water! Mace Brand has a variety of safety products that include defense sprays, surveillance products and more!

What are the effects & durations of pepper spray?

Upon direct contact with eyes, respiratory system and mucous membranes, the active ingredients in the pepper spray will cause eyes to slam shut, coughing, and an intense burning sensation to the skin. Effects will last up to 45 minutes to and hour.

Can I use wasp spray for self defense?

Oh no, not the Wasp Spray myth again! The story that a canister of wasp spray is a preferable alternative to pepper spray for self-protection has been circulating for several years. Is it true? The intended purpose of a wasp spray is to eradicate wasps.  Period.  

No police department, local or otherwise, would recommend for self-defense the use of a product which is designed to penetrate the nervous system of an insect and kill it.   Furthermore, since insect repellants are regulated by the U.S. EPA, it is a violation of federal law to use the product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. While not common-place, there are cases cited on the EPA enforcement website related to the intentional misuse of pesticides (www2.epa.gov/enforcement/data-and-results).   

More importantly, since wasp spray is a poison and never intended as a self-defense item, there have been no meaningful studies conducted to suggest that it would stop an attacker. On the other hand, pepper spray has been field tested since early 1980 and has a proven track record as an effective, temporarily debilitating agent.  Upon direct contact, pepper spray affects the eyes, respiratory system, skin, and muscle coordination.  

Don’t trust your safety to a wasp spray. It’s dangerous and not effective.  Trust the brand and purchase Mace® Brand Pepper Spray.Â