I'm in favor of self-defense -- but buying a can of pepper spray and keeping it in your purse, pocket, glove box, whatever and never training with it is not lik

I'm in favor of self-defense -- but buying a can of pepper spray and keeping it in your purse, pocket, glove box, whatever and never training with it is not likely to be a significant benefit in event of an attack. More likely, it will harm you more than it helps. a) If you've never sprayed it before, how do you know how far it goes, the spray pattern, how much pressure it takes to depress the button, how long it lasts? b) pepper spray is indiscriminate - it will get on you, and if you're not ready for that, it's very possible that you will find yourself completely helpless, eyes burning, coughing, gasping for breath - all while being attacked. This is why law enforcement and the military, before they leave "basic training", are exposed to a wide variety of agents they expect to meet in the field, including pepper spray (I went through pepper spray training. Very eye opening {or closing!} to say the least). If you are carrying pepper spray, you owe it to yourself to get proper training that includes being sprayed with it in the face and how to still defend yourself while under the effects. Otherwise, it's just a potentially deadly talisman. http://www.aaa-safetyfirst.com/pepper-spray-reaction.htm http://www.aaa-safetyfirst.com/pepper-spray-reaction.htm http://www.safariland.com/blog/post/OC-Spray-Training-To-Be-or-Not-to-Be-Sprayed.aspx http://www.safariland.com/blog/post/OC-Spray-Training-To-Be-...