Non offensive aerosol spray

[HouseEnforcer]

Just today I was over at head office, and I was given this "Dye Witness" product. It looks just like a little bottle of pepper spray, and it has a bright green top. It contains a denser version of shaving creme, combined with a bright green industrial strength food dye. The idea being you spray a hostile client in the eyes (contains no OC or the like) and it foams up, restricting their vision. The more you touch it, the more it sinks in, and it will last on the face for about 3 days. Best is, if the person escapes, we simply tell police to look for the person matching our description, and a bright lime green face.

I don't know, this is the first time I've seen this and I thought it was a perfect substitute for a security guard who is unable to carry an offensive spray of any kind.

[N. A. Corbier]

Dye Witness was big down here in the 90s. The first problem was that the solution choked people - it was too foamy to obscure the vision. So, they reformulated it to make it better - doesn't choke people now. The problem? Fine, I just wipe it off, and proceed to beat the crap out of you for spraying me with it.

Its an interesting product, but you had best have an ASP or PR-24 and some defensive tactics skills before using it. In fact, the moment you spray, you should immediately engage - as hard as you can - and take the suspect to the ground. The thing about dye witness is that its a shock value. "I've been sprayed!" Use that against them - hit them and hit them hard. Because once they realize they're not on fire, they're gonna kick your ass.

[1stWatch]

...The thing about dye witness is that its a shock value...

One of the things I've found from having to use pepper spray in hand to hand situations is that if you do have time to pull the canister out of its scabbard it had better be able to burn like hell when you use it. It would not work well as a tool of distraction in scenarios I have seen simply because of the full split second it takes to move your hand to the duty belt, pull up the retaining flap, pull the can out, point it, and push the button. During that time a slugger can hit you several times. Then again the mechanics of each situation varies. It could be just the thing needed.

[Mall Director]

I am not familiar with the product you are speaking of, but on a serious note, be carefull when it comes to the private sector in use of chemical defense agents. I am not saying dont get it or use it, no no, I am all for it, but protect yourself in and out of court!

I hold a National Instructors Certification in Chemical Defense Agent training and certificaiton. I gained alot of knowledge going through training about chemical agents, and my biggest concern about the product your were handed, is not that it is CS or CN, but the solvents used in its composition. What type of projectant does it use? what type of carrier does it use?

This new product you have been handed, sounds like a "foam" agent to me. My department uses foam agents. Though we dont use what you are speaking of, we use a similiar type product by Defensive Technologies, and that being First Defense Pepper Foam. It is a 10% Oleoresin Capsiscum. The propellant and carrier to this product is Nitrogen. It is 100% food grade composition and has absolutely no long term side effects.

Due to working in a Mall, cross contamination is an issue, which is why we went the Foam route. We do carry an additional Spray type agent as well (Defensive Technologies First Defense X2, hot hot hot), but we use the foam indoors, as it will not leave residue all over the interior, stopping business and causing the "customer choke out" by the innocent ones in the area. Clean up is quick.

Most of your sprays will have a marking agent in them, commonly orange. You can order up a different color if you so desire. I do not mean to push Defensive Technologies here, especially holding certs with them, but I do suggest knowledge on product before use. It is nice to walk into court, when an egghead you "emoddied with chemical love" has an issue with you using a "harmful" product on them. The minute I explain that it is 100% food grade, no solvents or chemicals, and is even edible, I have it in the bag!

If you have any questions or comments, or need further information, please get a hold of me, as i have a ton of knowledge in this area, and look forward to sharing!

[HouseEnforcer]

Thanks for the info Mall Director. I used to work in a mall and let me tell you the pepper foam would have been very useful. Of course, security guards in Ontario cannot use pepper spray, especially that 10X stuff...wow.
We have used this Dye Witness for years and there has never been a problem. On the plus, if the client somehow disengages and runs off, he's not getting to far with a bright green face.

Good advice N. A. Corbier, the shock value is what it's all about...unless the take down is quick, were gonna have some problems. Oohhh man, usually these things go down at night, so, once back near the office where they can see their face in a mirror, they just loose it. lol.

[Charger]

Welcome, Mall Director! Nice to know I won't be the only spray instructor around anymore to give the pros & cons...

Out of curiosity, what made you guys decide to go with the 10% instead of 5%? My original instructor highly recommended a very high SHU for the stopping power, with a low percentage so the exposure doesn't last as long, and open you up to liability for frivilous (sp?) "cruel & unusual punishment" lawsuits..

Come to think of it, if you've gone through some of the federal courses you've probably met my instructor... He's the LE Sgt. from Oregon who subjected himself to over 300+ sprays for that scientific study a while back to prove there's no long-term effects... (And still gets sprayed on a regular basis to keep the study up-to-date)

[Mall Director]

Welcome, Mall Director! Nice to know I won't be the only spray instructor around anymore to give the pros & cons...

Out of curiosity, what made you guys decide to go with the 10% instead of 5%? My original instructor highly recommended a very high SHU for the stopping power, with a low percentage so the exposure doesn't last as long, and open you up to liability for frivilous (sp?) "cruel & unusual punishment" lawsuits..

Come to think of it, if you've gone through some of the federal courses you've probably met my instructor... He's the LE Sgt. from Oregon who subjected himself to over 300+ sprays for that scientific study a while back to prove there's no long-term effects... (And still gets sprayed on a regular basis to keep the study up-to-date)

Nice to meet you to, a fellow instructor! We are not alone! I have gone through DOD training and civilian, or national certification through ArmorHolding. As your Instructor stated, a high SHU is ideal, such as the new X2 by Defensive Technologies, which packs alot, as for the percentage rating of 10%, being that it is 100% food grade, construing it as "cruel and unusual" would be difficult, as the heat rating remains the same as a 5% or 5.5%. Crule and unusual typically falls under overexposure, such as in restraints, or repeated exposure when an effect has made impact. The 10% I selected for my department was made with some factors in mind. Safety of course, but in a manner in which it has a higher percentage of effectiveness with a smaller dosage, so I am, nor my staff, is having to repeatedly "expose" the subject to the agent in order to gain control of the situation (under policies of course). A lower feild of effectiveness may require more agent being used, or in longer bursts, which if heavily fought in lawsuit by the subject, could be construde as "cruel and unusual". To continually expose a subject to a spray that is having a minimal effective rating can cause more issues, than to expose them to a more effective spray, ending the chance of harm to self, subject or others.

In the "PepperFoam" due to its stream control, the contamination of the "scene" is already controlled. Mis-Aiming the Projectant causes cross contamination, and issues. But a strong delivery of a high yeilding heat to a specific area, immobilizes a subject to the point of discontinued resistance, with minimal use of projectant (ie 10%), can further prevent damage to you, your staff, and innocent bystandards.

Most law enforcement prefer a 5.5% "spray" over a "foam". And for good reason. They operate mostly outdoors, and in a slight wind or gust, foam travel and direction is effected, where "spray" targets a larger area.

I also selected 10% over 5% as to limit the need to "saturate" a subject in needless spray or foam, to gain control. This used in court upholds the justificaiton of higher heat.

Now for secondary, my staff also carries X2, which would have the equivilant of 20%. Its hot. I was subjected to all forms and products, and dont wish the X2 on my biggest enemy, as decon took forever. I do however, have the X2 as backup, in the event the Foam is in an ineffective environment or the 10% has no effect on a subject, such as one under the influence of a substance. After you expose your subject to a lighter grade product, and it has minimal to no effect, it is reasonable to assume a higher degree of product is needed, and if on hand is suggestable, especially when operating around an armed subject, or a subject acting above or beyond normal human function.

The absolute biggest key to subject exposure to Chemical Agents, is decontamination, and quickly. It isnt hard... Remove them from the area of contamination. Too easy, and you have already started First Aid, which demonstrates in court- compassion and aid to a resisting subject. Even though with foam, there isnt really a contaminated area (except the exposed subject) still asssume the first step to decontaminating your subject. I have won every time, with out failure by jury and advocate, when I follow the steps and procedures in use and carry of a Chemical Defense Agent.

The third aid to contamination is very helpful as well. Talk your subject through the process and calm your subject. Most of the time, I receive thank you's afterwards for helping them, even though I was the one to expose them. Go figure!

[N. A. Corbier]

Do you know what the SHU rating on X2 is? I used to carry DefTec products, mostly MSI OC Foam in 10% and Defense Technologies 10% Spray (Yellow CA Can).

The DefTec SHU is only in the mid 300,000s, where the MSI series from DefTec/Federal Labs is in the million five. Fox Lab's is putting out five point three million.

I switched to Sabre Red, which is at 2 million SHU with 10% OC. I'd carry MSI, but no way I'd carry Defense Technologies except in the X2 (Which has a higher SHU rating than 300,000).

Bigdog reported that an MSI/Defense Technologies Instructor noted that Sabre with its 2,000,000 SHU is "too hot," and "excessive force." My counter to that was that higher heat = quicker incapacitation, and since we use OC against aggressive or combative subjects, we need quick incapacitation to prevent them from injuring us, another victim, or themselves further.

i.e. I don't want to have to beat this guy down cause the OC didn't work.

[HouseEnforcer]

So, say someone is not effected by OC in the reactive sense. We've seen it a million times on Scary Police Videos and such where a PC is emptying can after can on a guy and he just gets more hostile. Would a higher SHU drop someone who is still unaffected by OC?

[Mall Director]

So, say someone is not effected by OC in the reactive sense. We've seen it a million times on Scary Police Videos and such where a PC is emptying can after can on a guy and he just gets more hostile. Would a higher SHU drop someone who is still unaffected by OC?

Under most tactical training scenerios, when you use the chemical defense agent, and is ineffective with your subject, after a repeated attempt, it is then deemed unnecessary to continue to use the spray against the subject. In my own experience, I have had a few subjects, even when exposed to a hot compound or projectant that we use, and it is not effecting the subject, we stop attempting to use, and upgrade the amount of force necessary to control the subject. It does happen. Spray is not 100% effective. No one tool is. But it is a tool worth having rather than not having.

Another misconception of Chemical Defense Agents: It work immediately. If you ever undergo training for certification, you will find that on a certifiable training program, you have to be "exposed" to the agent yourself. This assists you in two major ways:

1) Understanding that the agent does not work the second it touches you or the subject, but has a minor delay before the burn takes on its charactoristics.

2) How to operate under the effects of the agent yourself.

With these two factors, you begin to understand how to properly apply such a device in your needs. This also bring up why I selected Foam over Spray in another reason why. Foam will coat the subject in a heavy blanket of substance. If for any reason the actual burning effect of the spray does not effect the subject, then I have successfully blinded the subject, allowing a safer means of controlling the subject.

Mostly, almost all sprays are blinding. It does cause temporary blindness, which gives you the advantage.

The main charactoristics of a Chemical Defense Agent, are to cause blindness, confusion and anxiety on the subject. I was almost able to work through the pain of the heat when I was exposed, but the blindness started taking effect, and loosing my sight, compounded with the pain, and choking caused me to panic at first, and become disoriented. I am sure it would'nt take anyone more than a second to overcome me after being exposed, as I was more concerned about getting my sight back, instead of aggressing. The choking effect also slows a subjet down, as they loose fresh air immediately, and begin to struggle more with breathing.

The other nice facet to spray, is that any subject you encounter, that is "hard core" in his criminal nature, has at some point in his/her life been exposed to spray before, and the memory of the unpleasantry is enough when you draw your canister out, to remind them again of how much "lack of fun" it was, and then become cooperative.

Any time I have drawn and been ready to use, I send out my warning, and then think to myself and even sometimes express to the subject that I really dont wish this upon them, as I have undergone it, and I would rather a root canal with out novicane. I really do not like exposing anyone to it, and especially my own people under training, as the memory kicks in, and I cringe at how fun it was for me, LOL!