It Works!
"Picked this up for the girlfriend who was moving to a downtown location about 6 months ago. I'm familiar with ASP products from a career in law enforcement, and felt the palm defender would be a good way to go. Wanted to get the key defender, but that size is not available in California due to size restrictions.
The asp looked like a good bet as it is small and unobtrusive, has a nice safety on it that is unlikely to be accidentally tripped, and is easy to use with a little familiarizing. Plus, it can be used as a striking weapon in the same position it is held to use as a spray weapon.
I personally don't carry pepper spray as I feel I can generally take care of myself. But, I was using the girlfriend's keys to her place one early evening (much to the misfortune of a drunk) when I was coming back from picking up dinner. At the front door to her place, I found a guy urinating on her front door. I called him on it, and he became aggressive. After attempts ranging over a minute or so to keep him off of me and telling him to go on his way, he continued to want to fight. Well, I've fought with a lot of drunks and people in general, and I see no need to prove my manhood by rolling around in the gutter with an idiot if I don't have to. As he approached in an aggressive manner again, I gave him a shot of the spray directly to the face from about 4 feet away. The look on his face for two seconds as he attempted to comprehend what was happening was priceless. Then the spray took effect. Eyes slammed shut, hands to face, and he backed up a good ways and tended to his pain.
Might have been wise to just depart at this point, but my dinner was on the ground by her front door, and I was just hoping he'd leave. After about 30 seconds, he became enraged and charged me. As I held out my left hand to keep him off, I gave him another one second burst of the spray. He backed off again. On his 3rd time charging me, I brought up the hand with the ASP in it again and said are you stupid? We can keep this up all night you idiot!. He immediately stopped his approach.
He was still a bit mad and clearly wanted to fight, but was not in a great position to do so, and certainly appeared unwilling to take a 3rd shot of the pepper spray to try his luck with me.
Having said that, here are some downsides and advice:
There's only about 3 seconds worth of spray time on this small device. Use in one second bursts and, as I was doing, save your final one for if you actually have to get tangled up with someone. Then, stick it directly in their face and let them have it.
Once you've expended the contents, keep the ASP in your hand to use the end (discharge end) as a striking weapon.
Range is pretty short. I sprayed at about 4 feet. Three feet may have been better. The concentration of the cone of spray is not good beyond 5 feet or so. A little bit of a problem as I'd like to keep people further off of me than that and still get a good concentrated cone of spray, but it's just not meant to be with this device.
It is a little awkward to hold in such a manner, but I like it because I don't even think this guy realized I had it (even though I warned him), as it just appeared as though I was taking a fighting stance.
I'd recommend you subject yourself to pepper spray at some point so you know the effects and how to fight through it. I've been maced and pepper sprayed quite a few times in my previous job. If you aren't ready for what it feels like, you may panic. When I used the ASP this time, I did get a little bit of the spray back on me due to wind direction. Yes, it hurt. And it did momentarily startle me as I wasn't expecting it, but having been through it before, I knew I could fight through it, and thus, there was no panic and I remained pretty much unphased by it. If you haven't been subjected to it before, it can panic you. I also knew not to rub at my eyes and only make matters worse. Keep your eyes open, tearing up, and do not rub them if this happens to you."
— Ekaf A. (5/5)
Great back up in your pocket
"I like having this as a little backup, but haven't tested it practically. The palm is rugged, small enough to not bother you too much on the key chain. It only has a 3' range according to the packaging, so if you need it, you will be getting personal and will probably be getting some OC on you."
— Stephen (4/5)