There have been over fifteen million cans of pepper spray sold in the United States alone for self defense. Most of those cans will never be sprayed. In many cases where the spray is needed, it is unfortunate that they are rendered ineffective by a lack of pepper spray training.

For a self defense weapon to be useful in a emergency situation, you need to be trained to use the weapon. You need to know how to remove the safety cap and spray your container of pepper spray before you are attacked. Remember, if the spray is pointed toward you, it will incapacitate you as well as it does an attacker.

Some of the manufacturers of pepper spray offer a container of similar shape and size of the pepper spray that has been filled with water for training purposes. If you cannot find this training aid, it is suggested that you purchase two of the pepper spray containers, one for training and one for actual use.

Training with pepper spray should be out of doors. Attach a paper target to a tree and practice opening the safety cap and spraying your attacker. Your initial goal is not for speed but for accuracy. Pepper spray can be effective up to twenty feet away.

The container needs to be held firmly between your palm and fingers. Use the thumb to flip open the cap. Then use the thumb or trigger finger to operate the button that sprays the contents at the paper target. Continue practicing until you can accurately shoot the spray at the target.

Each time you spray, take a step back and to the side. Do not walk toward the target. The spray will get into your eyes. The step back and aside moves you out of the way of your attacker.

Want to find out more about pepper spray training, then visit John White’s site on how to choose the best pepper spray for your needs.

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