<P><B><JC>Self-defense Tactics</JC>
<P><JC>Efficient use of the pepper gun</JC>
<P><JC>By ggrotz
<P>
<P>The pepper spray is a useful short-range stealth weapon. It is an aerosol spray which contains a derivative of pepper that causes blindness and will incapacitate your target for a moment. As it is a liquid that turns into an aerosol, remember that it must be used at short distance to have any effect.
<P>
<P><B>Points to Remember in using a pepper gun:
<P>1) Use it at the short distance and not at extreme close range to give it a chance to vaporize and provide an effect (this is the problem most people experience with it - they use it at point blank range and find that it doesn't work).
<P>2) The ammo is used at an extreme rate, so take care in using it, since the ammo is relatively rare in some cases (such as the beginning of Deus Ex). I recommend a sweeping motion with short bursts, a small amount works as well as a large amount.
<P>3) Pepper spray is best used when your target is caught unawares or in shock mode. If you use it on a target who is aware of your presence, he can easily back away from the pepper spray while firing upon you.
<P>4) In a situation where hostiles are aware of your presence, the pepper spray can be a great equalizer. Run until you find a choke point (where your targets must bunch up in a small area to continue), and then turn and fire.
<P>5) Pepper spray is perhaps best used when you are confronted with multiple targets. With single targets, it's often better to make use of a tazer to incapacitate your victim.
<P>6) Pepper spray has a relatively short effect time, so act quickly to find a more permanent solution. When your target shakes off the effect of the pepper spray, he will know your presence and come after you. So be ready.
<P>7) Pepper spray is ineffective against any target who has his head covered and/or is wearing a filtering system. Make sure your target is not wearing a mask.
<P>8) When pepper spray is unavailable, a fire extinguisher will work very well to provide the same effect as a one-time application. Take care to not move forward as you apply the fire extinguisher, or you will be affected as well.
<P>9) For inexplicable reasons, the Pepper spray can be used to shock a target into unconsciousness immediately if you have used tranquilizer darts on them (I've used this one to great effect in ZODIAC - you still get shot at while you wait on the tranq dart).