Have you had experience using Mace or combination Mace/Tear gas cans ?

[singlefather no more]

Have you had experience using Mace or combination Mace/Tear gas cans ?

I was talking to some guys in Peru from the USA and they sell Mace mini cans for 45 soles ( 15 US ) or mace-tear gas combination mini cans for 65  soles ( US 21.50 ) in Lima..

This one American that lives in Chiclayo , Peru niece and step son have got mugged and he is going to buy some.. So of course you know what I am thinking since my Novia has got mugged before a few times and hurt once.. I would get her to carry it in her purse.. Is this a good idea and does this stuff work good ?

I am going to be down there for 27 days and I will have my 12 yr old daughter and 9 son with me so of course I will be smart and careful where and when I go anywhere but I want to be able to defend them just in case..

Have you guys ever used these cans in the states or anywhere else and do they work good ?

What do you think of the mace cans ?

What do you think of the combination mace and tear gas cans ?

What is your advice on getting one or not getting one ?

Thanks in advance for your responses and advice,

singlefather

..

[jm21-2]

I had a friend who was a prison guard and through that ended up trying a lot of different spray-type products. From what I remember/understand, there are different percentages of capsaicin (the chemical that makes peppers burning to mammals) in different sprays, the higher percentages being more effective. A high level of capsaicin is extremely potent. A low level would probably be enough to buy enough time to run away. I think the US ones are like 1.4%? Maybe you could find higher in Peru.

He was a prison guard in South Texas and I seem to remember he made some comments about pepper spray not being as effective against Mexicans and Latinos who ate a lot of chili peppers normally. 

[catz]

When I worked at the Federal Reserve we had the guards out by our building (we were at an off site facility) to get maced so they would know what it was like. I don't know the percentages but it really depended on the individual. Some guys were on the ground crying and some were like "Oh Yeah! Give me another one!"

No point, just an observation of what I've seen.

[Dan Las Vegas]

The one major disadvantage is that you must be fairly close to the assailant to be effective and depending on which way the wind is blowing, you could  get a dose of your own. You are also assuming that your novia will have the time to dig around in her purse to grab it and effectively use it in a high stress situation. I would highly recommend a training class in the use of it, assuming that it one is available in Peru.

[raycjs]

S.F.

I think your best defence..... is just telling them some of your joke's


Best of luck and do not worry everything will be fine and your new family will look out for your well being.


Ray

[singlefather no more]

S.F.

I think your best defence..... is just telling them some of your joke's


Best of luck and do not worry everything will be fine and your new family will look out for your well being.


Ray

Ray,

That is a good idea.  They will stand there for 10 minutes and think what is the punchline ?

singlefather

..

[zack]

I would feel more safe carrying a stun gun than a can of mace. They can easily be found on the internet and they aren't expensive. Maybe both would be best. That may sound like an overkill but considering what happened to your fiance, it doesn't hurt to be too safe.

The following site lists the states and countries that prohibit stun guns: www.safetytechnology.com.

Colombia is not on the list, but that doesn't mean that it isn't illegal there. I don't know about the legality of mace in Colombia neither.

If they are legal in Colombia and your state and you decide to purchase and bring them to Colombia, don't forget to place them in your check-in baggage. They will not allow you to carry those items onto the plane (obviously).

Zack

[singlefather no more]

I would feel more safe carrying a stun gun than a can of mace. They can easily be found on the internet and they aren't expensive. Maybe both would be best. That may sound like an overkill but considering what happened to your fiance, it doesn't hurt to be too safe.

The following site lists the states and countries that prohibit stun guns: www.safetytechnology.com.

Colombia is not on the list, but that doesn't mean that it isn't illegal there. I don't know about the legality of mace in Colombia neither.

If they are legal in Colombia and your state and you decide to purchase and bring them to Colombia, don't forget to place them in your check-in baggage. They will not allow you to carry those items onto the plane (obviously).

Zack

Hello Zack,

It is legal in Peru but the guys have made some good points here about using it properly and to be trained using it..

singlefather

.

[Dave H]

Have you had experience using Mace or combination Mace/Tear gas cans ?


singlefather..

I carry a small pepper spray ("Oleoresin Capsicum") canister attached to my key chain. I bought it from a police supplier. It is reliable and as potent as I could buy. I have not had the chance to use it...yet!  It is probably in most cases not to carry many valuables and just to give the person what they want without resisting.

Dave

[Jeff S]

I've read that you keep your cash in a fairly heavy money clip, largest bill on the outside. If you get robbed, especially armed robbed, the safest thing to do is to throw the money one way and run the other. More and more people are getting killed complying with the assailant - but they'll always go for the cash first.

[no comment]

Does mace make a good wedding gift?  I suppose if a gringo can't dance, one could spritz his underpants with mace.  Then watch him move his hips.
Is it all possible for your lady to commute with someone else?  Safety in numbers, and a lone person is a more inviting target.

[Dave H]

I've read that you keep your cash in a fairly heavy money clip, largest bill on the outside. If you get robbed, especially armed robbed, the safest thing to do is to throw the money one way and run the other. More and more people are getting killed complying with the assailant - but they'll always go for the cash first.

Hey Jeff

How about a money roll? You could roll that thing pretty far! I could just see a crook chasing it down a hill...works for me!  

Dave

[Dave H]

I suppose if a gringo can't dance, one could spritz his underpants with mace.  Then watch him move his hips.

Hey no comment,

Now you know my dancing secret! 

Dave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAxG3lgRKUU

[singlefather no more]

Dave H ,

I want to know how you found those pictures and posted them on Youtube of me dancing.. .. Darn I thought nobody was watching well I was cutting a rug..

I guess I will have to pay you off in Canadian Pesos not to show them to Roxi..

singlefather

..

[Dave H]

Dave H ,

I want to know how you found those pictures and posted them on Youtube of me dancing.. .. Darn I thought nobody was watching well I was cutting a rug..

I guess I will have to pay you off in Canadian Pesos not to show them to Roxi..

singlefather
..

Hey singlefather,


My little secret hidden video camera. An ice cold Molson or Moosehead will be payoff enough!  

This is probably one of the most important links ever posted on P-L!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commercial_brands_of_beer

Dave