There are many ways of protecting oneself from assault. The more convenient ones are those that you can carry in your purse or car or wear close to your body. They should never be bulky or obvious. In whatever form they may come, their contents will most likely be any of four major chemicals – CS, CN, OC or tear gas. Of these four, tear gas is the most regulated so it is a good idea to do some research before using or transporting any.

CS (orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile) and CN (chloroacetophenone) are the most common by far. These are crystals which are suspended in a liquid carrier and aerosolized. Pepper sprays are made from OC (oleoresin capsicum) extracted from chili peppers. Mace is a popular brand of teargas. Like all teargas, Mace tear gas has devastating effects that include tearing and involuntary closure of the eyes with severe burning sensations on the skin.