Self-defense with pepper spray
Many women feel increasingly insecure. Especially when you walk alone through parks at night or go jogging in the dark. To protect themselves from attacks, more and more women are stocking up on pepper spray. The demand for it has increased by 80 percent in the last few months. The most common reason for the purchase: fear of refugees and their sexual attacks.
Pepper sprays are very popular as a means of self-defense. They are cheap, handy and can be stored anywhere.
Pepper sprays are classified as weapons in Austria and can therefore only be purchased and carried if you are 18 years old. In contrast to Germany, where pepper spray can only be purchased as a so-called “animal repellent spray”.
The pepper spray contains active ingredients from the chili plant and works within a few seconds when used, irritating the mucous membranes and causing severe pain. It can be used against animals such as dogs or bears as well as against human attackers.
It is particularly important that you practice the application once, ideally in a self-defense course.
The most important rules for handling pepper spray are:
- Always have pepper spray in your hand if you are traveling alone and feel unsafe.
- When using: The pepper spray is operated with the thumb and not the index finger.
- If the attacker is hit by the jet, he will still try to approach you again - even if he cannot see anything. Therefore, continue to point the spray jet at him and move backwards away from him at an angle, away from his direction of movement.
- Notify the police and emergency services. Keep an eye on the attacker to allow the police to make an arrest.