Looking to spice up your weekend? I did it by taking an eyeful of Oleoresin Capsicum (better known as pepper spray) as part of my Reserve Sheriff Training. Since anytime you use this stuff, there is a good chance some will blow back on you, it is important to know how it will effect you and exactly what it feels like. The really bad burning only lasts about 20 minutes, after 45 minutes or so most people are able to take care of themselves again, though the skin continues to burn to varying degrees for the next few hours. Luckily, I turn out to be one of the people who recovers pretty quickly – glad I got that gene! It only took me minute or two to be able to get my eyes open again. Though it still really burns, once you can get your eyes open it helps tremendously in starting the recovery process. Oh, and take it from me, it burns way more than you can ever imagine!
You can see in the shot above as my eye closes as a reaction to the first part of the stream as it hit my eye dead on. Garrett, my partner in the exercise, is next up to get an eyeful.
Chris Brogan... says
11/9/2008 at 4:52 amThat’s pretty hardcore, Michael. I mean, I get it and all that, but holy cats. I think of you as a powerful entrepreneur, but now I can add, “dude to have on your side in a fight.”
Hello from Boston. : )
Mike Armstrong says
11/9/2008 at 5:08 amWell you are allot braver than I am. I don’t know that I could get myself to actually volunteer to take a direct shot of pepper spray in the eye like that.
Way to go!
Tim Bourquin says
11/9/2008 at 5:43 pmNice work Michael. As a fellow “sprayed in the face during the academy” guy, I can tell you this won’t be the last time you get sprayed. If you’re planning on doing patrol at some point, you’ll no doubt be sprayed by your partner as you attempt to take down a bad guy. Funny how parolees tend to move around a bit just as your partner empties his canister. Fun stuff!
I’ve gotten a face-full of the stuff many times and knowing how it feels, you become less and less worried about it. Just part of the fun of being a reserve!
Of course, there was that time a suspect on PCP yelled that it tasted like 7-UP as I sprayed him…
That’s a story for another time I suppose.
Jason Burns says
11/12/2008 at 11:40 amDon’t say I didn’t warn you! 🙂 Glad you made it through!
Charlie W says
12/4/2008 at 4:04 pmMy Sheriff sources tell me they use Popov vodka straight from the rack at 7-11 instead or real pepper spray.
Fox Labs Pepper Spray says
10/13/2009 at 9:25 amYeah, that burn is painful, luckily no tear gas in there. Part of the training is to be able to take a spray, and arrest someone. Though that is tough when your eyes want to slam shut, and breathing is difficult.
All in a days work, eh?
Ken Potter says
11/8/2009 at 7:31 amI think I prefer to watch you guys inflict pain upon yourselves. You spray and I will root you on!
Go Pepper Spray!
Joseph Morris says
9/16/2010 at 10:19 amA minute or two? Must be a new record…I have heard of people that got sprayed having to wait at least 10 minutes!