Understanding LE Use of Sprays

If you have had some form of training with the use of defensive sprays, you know there are tactics used with them as well as specific distances for the products to be effective as well as ranges where they become potentially dangerous.

Within these guidelines are minimum safe distances. Using the products too close to the subject might not just be tactically unsound, there might be adverse effects. Hydraulic needle effect is one of the reasons standoff is encouraged. This effect is when a concentrated stream of spray is used at very close range. The pressure is so high that the liquid can actually penetrate the soft tissue of the eyes, potentially causing permanent damage.

Sprays can be used defensively to create distance or distraction to allow for an escape Sprays can be used as a deescalation tool. They are also a means of gaining greater control of a subject by creating an advantage for the one using it. A combative or resisting subject might soften after an application of a spray.

Foam, gel, and fog are also options. I have an entire ModCast episode focusing on them for defensive use that I need to upload to Rumble. It is available in audio form on your favorite podcast app. It was called “P&S ModCast 390 – Spray, Fog, Foam.”

A concerning possible application of spray would be its use as a part of retaliation or punishment from a law enforcement officer. Retaliatory force is unlawful. A close range application that violates policy (and manufacturers warnings) in conjuction with retaliatory action could constitute both criminal and civil charges.

Sprays are directed to specific intended subjects while fogs are more used for areas denial to encourage disbursement of crowds to to affect a group of people about to be placed into custody. The control of fog is kind of limited because a change in the wind can affect a different area. Gas grenades, launched or thrown, can be thrown after landing and a bad bounce can put them somewhere they are not inttended.

At this point, I am surprised we haven’t seen the “Rioter Abatement” trucks driving around.