Table of contents:
- What is pepper spray?
- What is the effect if you get sprayed with pepper?
- How to make pepper spray yourself at home
With the increasing level of crime on the streets, it's a good idea to always be ready to take care of your own safety. Save police emergency number 110 on your cell phone speed dial access if you encounter a crime out there. You can also protect yourself from the actions of the perpetrators with pepper spray, aka pepper spray. Check out how to make it below.
What is pepper spray?
Pepper spray is often used by law enforcement to help subdue and arrest people for abusive or uncooperative behavior, or is used in large numbers as riot control. Ordinary individuals can also use it to defend themselves against human or animal attacks.
Pepper spray is a binder (lachrymatory), which makes eyes cry. The base ingredient for pepper spray is chili oil known as oleoresin capsicum. Capsaicin, the inflammatory agent in oil, is the same chemical that makes chilies hot and hot. In pepper spray, however, the capsicum concentration level is much higher.
The levels of capsicum in pepper spray are quite high, so that even the level of spiciness far exceeds habanero chilies. Pepper sprays generally have a spicy score of 2-5.3 million Scoville units. In comparison, red chilies have a spicy score of around 30 thousand, while habanero chilies have a spicy score of 200 thousand. Can you imagine how spicy it is sprayed with this pepper spray?
What is the effect if you get sprayed with pepper?
Pepper spray works by causing pain. Exposure to pepper spray irritates the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
When someone comes into contact with pepper spray, their eyes are immediately closed. The eyes will be red and sore, followed by a "boiling" sensation and temporary blindness. Pepper spray can also burn the skin and cause swelling. Other effects include burning throat, wheezing, difficulty / shortness of breath, choking, coughing, and inability to speak.
In rare cases, pepper spray can cause cyanosis, a discoloration of the skin that indicates a lack of blood and oxygen flow. Studies have also found that people who inhale pepper spray may experience acute hypertension, or sudden high blood pressure. This increases the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Pepper spray doesn't kill. However, there have been a handful of cases of death that have occurred from exposure to pepper spray. People with asthma have a higher chance of developing this because capsaicin burns the airways, causing swelling and restriction that makes breathing even more difficult.
How to make pepper spray yourself at home
Bottled pepper sprays (finished products) generally contain water, alcohol, or organic solvents as liquid agents; also nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or halogenated hydrocarbons (such as freon, tetrachlorethylene, and methylene chloride) as high pressure gaseous agents for spraying tube contents.
However, you can mix it yourself at home with simple ingredients that are available in the kitchen. Follow the method below to make a pepper spray.
Tools and materials needed:
- 6 red chilies, chili jemprit, or chilies fat dry (can buy, or dry first for a few days in the sun or in the oven). The more, the spicier.
- Ground black pepper to taste, for additional coughing sensation (optional).
- Garlic (choose: one clove, two tablespoons chopped garlic, or two tablespoons garlic powder). For additional sore sensation.
- 350 ml of rubbing alcohol or vinegar to taste, as a stabilizer for chili oil. You can also use plain water.
- 2 tablespoons of baby oil, as the "adhesive" material to the perpetrator's body.
- Empty spray bottle, clean and dry well
- Funnel.
- Protective devices, such as goggles or swimming goggles, rubber gloves, mouth masks.
How to make:
- Add the dry chilies, garlic, baby oil, and alcohol / water / vinegar to the blender. Process for 2 minutes. If you want to grind it, grind all the ingredients until they become a smooth paste. Be careful not to spill the paste on you.
- Pour the liquid into a large bottle using a funnel. Leave it overnight in a cool place to evaporate. The volume of fluid needs to be reduced to increase its effectiveness. This is an essential part of the home pepper spray process.
- The next morning, you'll need a clean funnel, cheesecloth, and a spray bottle.
- Place the funnel in the mouth of the container you want to use as a storage container, then place the cheesecloth over the funnel as a strainer.
- Pour the pepper mixture into the bottle very carefully. Close the bottle tightly to prevent the liquid from leaking.
- Finally, add back 350 ml of alcohol / water / vinegar. Voila! Now you have your own pepper spray creation.
The pepper spray you have made should be stored in the refrigerator or cool place when not in use. Pepper spray can last 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how strong the spray solution is.
Depending on what solvent you use (alcohol / water / vinegar), the shelf life and can vary. If you use alcohol or vinegar, pepper spray can last up to 1-3 months. Meanwhile, if mixed with water, your spray will only be effective for up to two weeks.