I'm not sure about rape defense (see my other reply, I personally don't think anyone would continue a rape attempt while burning all over, but they might just r

I'm not sure about rape defense (see my other reply, I personally don't think anyone would continue a rape attempt while burning all over, but they might just resort to plain violence), but pepper spray has an onset-time of several seconds before it really starts to work and pure pepper spray (not laced with CN/CS gas) has tolerance issues and isn't equally effective across the board for all people. People caution against it for self defense because it's effectively worthless against someone who's after you with actual lethal intentions who is wielding a gun or knife; several seconds is plenty of time to close a 20ft gap when sprinting and still stab you a half dozen times before the spray really kicks in (and you can still blindly stab at someone), or get off a few rounds before their eyes shut from the pepper spray. Pepper spray is also not mechanically disabling, which is a concern for self defense in lethal situations. Adrenaline does crazy things and people can continue doing things through immense amounts of pain. Tazers are physically disabling by overriding your muscle control. Batons can breaks bones and can mechanically stop someone from continuing; guns and knives can mechanically stop an attacker. It doesn't matter how much adrenaline you have in you, you can't run, swing a knife, or aim a gun if the required muscle to do so is missing, detached, or not listening to the brain. Pepper spray is simply a pain deterrent, nothing more.