Pepper Spray vs MACE

Pepper spray and MACE are actually two different products, made from distinct chemicals. Their effectiveness varies for each use, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is a popular, nonlethal, and inexpensive self-defense tool. It’s an effective long-range weapon that’s convenient, easy to conceal, and intuitive to use—a great addition to your everyday carry list.

Pepper spray contains a chemical compound called oleoresin capsicum. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in oleoresin capsicum, is derived from hot peppers. Once it makes contact, the attacker’s mucous membranes swell, causing burning in the eyes, the nose, and the throat. It’s most effective when sprayed in the face, and it can cause temporary blindness, restricted breathing, coughing, choking, nausea, and disorientation. The effects can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, allowing you time to escape.

A few more advantages of pepper spray:

• It causes an intensely painful physical response, even in those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• It works against multiple attackers.
• Some sprays contain an invisible UV dye that shows up under special lights to help identify an attacker.
• Today’s canisters are sleeker and less bulky than they used to be, and can be disguised as lipsticks, keychains, pens, and jogging weights, or shaped like TASERs.

The main disadvantage? It’s easy to disable yourself with a simple wind shift. You don’t want to incapacitate yourself, so pay attention to the conditions around you. And as always, check your local laws before purchasing and carrying.

MACE

MACE is now a registered trademark. The active ingredient is chloroacetophenone, and it’s essentially an aerosolized tear gas. It was the original defensive spray before being replaced by modern pepper spray, and it was traditionally used by the police force. It’s still used by the military and by law enforcement for riot control and as a tear agent. One downfall to MACE is that it doesn’t work well on intoxicated people.

Which One?

For everyday self-defense, pepper spray is the more practical choice: it’s inexpensive, easy to carry, and effective even against attackers under the influence. Whichever you choose, carry it where you can reach it, know how to use it, and practice situational awareness so you never have to.