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Pepper Spray Information
Pepper
spray (also known as OC spray from "Oleoresin
Capsicum", OC gas, or capsicum spray) is a lachrymatory agent (a
chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and
even temporary blindness) that is used in riot control, crowd control
and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs. The active
ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is a chemical derived
from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus, including chillis.
The
HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography) method is used to measure
the amount of capsaicin within pepper sprays. Scoville Heat Unit (SHU)
testing is also used to measure the hotness of pepper spray, but this
is a subjective test which changes from person to person and does not
measure the actual chemical percentage within the product.
Pepper
spray typically comes in canisters, which are
often small enough to be carried or concealed in a pocket or purse.
Pepper spray can also be bought concealed in items such as rings.
Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent, not an irritant like Mace. It
causes immediate closing of the eyes and coughing. The length of the
effects depend on the strength of the spray but the average full effect
lasts around thirty to forty-five minutes, with mitigated effects
lasting for hours.
Harry was an insurance salesman for a large firm in the northeast. His
company prided itself on personal contact with customers. He was a top
salesman and well deserving of the honor. His job called for him to
extensively travel in order to get new customers. He was away from home
many weeks out of the year. In many ways the people he met were a part
of his family.
He enjoys
interaction with the customers. He had never really
experienced any serious problems during his career. He met the
occasional belligerent prospect but that was expected. He was very
determined and usually able to convince his prospects to let him at
least show them his products. Many of his prospects became customers
after a meeting with him.
One day he
received a call from a guy who said he was thinking about
buying more insurance. He asked Harry if he could meet with him and
show his products. Harry agreed. He traveled to the prospects home. He
setup his products and began to explain them to the potential customer.
He thought he had
persuaded the man and was sure he was about to close
a sale. All of a sudden the man jumped up from his chair and started
swearing. He said you insurance salesmen are all alike. You try to take
advantage of people like me.
He said, I do not
need any insurance and I am going to make sure you do
not try and sell anything again. Harry did not know what the man meant,
but he felt it was time to leave. He said Sir, its obvious that you do
not want to take advantage of our insurance products at this time, so I
will be going.
The guy said you
are not going anywhere. He said, I am going to teach
you a lesson. He started walking toward Harry. Harry knew there was
going to be trouble. He forgot about packing his materials and started
maneuvering too get away from the guy. The guy kept coming and Harry
kept moving.
Just as the guy
was about to charge at Harry, there was a frail female
voice. It said, stop that nonsense right now. Harry looked up a flight
of stairs and there was an older lady. The prospect stopped his attack
immediately. The lady seemed to have mesmerized the guy with her voice.
He immediately stopped all his actions. He became as docile as a lamb.
She said a few
more choice things to him. He dropped his head and went
to another room in the house. She approached Harry. He said thank you;
I do not know what I would have done if you had not shown up. The lady
introduced herself as the mans mother. She said he had a mental
disorder and really meant no harm. She asked Harry what he was doing in
the house.
Harry said he was selling insurance. She said she needed some extra
insurance. Right away, Harry recognized opportunity. He talked with the
lady about his products. He also kept a watchful eye out for her son.
He was able to start the woman in one of his best insurance plans.
Traveling salesmen never know whom they are going to encounter on the
road.
They meet all types of people with different motives. Most of them are
sincerely interested in the products and services. There is also a
small percentage that want to make trouble. The traveling salesmen must
be prepared to defend themselves if the situation becomes dangerous.
With a little planning the traveling salesman can successfully defend
himself if the need arises.
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