A false sense of security

An e-mail has been circulating lately that makes an interesting and unusual claim. The anonymous author said that instead of pepper spray, one should use wasp spray to fend off potential predators.

Supposedly, the wasp spray, when sprayed in the attacker’s eyes, will temporarily blind and disable them longer than good old pepper spray. Additionally, the wasp spray will shoot up to 20 feet, a greater distance than most pepper sprays. Finally, it’s cheap and easy to obtain. What more could the savvy consumer want?

Well, the truth is always good to know. The urban-legend-debunking folks at Snopes.com gave this claim an overall “mixed” truth rating. The site editors acknowledge that wasp spray has a similar effect to pepper spray (tearing, choking, temporary blindness, etc.) and could technically be used for self-defense.

The caveat is that wasp spray and the chemicals it contains, such as pyrethins, haven’t yet been tested as a non-lethal self-defense weapon. According to the Pesticide Management Education Program, a cooperative extension of Cornell University, “At high doses, pyrethum can be damaging to the central nervous system and the immune system.”             

Aside from the fact that some jurisdictions only allow pepper spray for a chemical self-defense method, there is a label right on the wasp spray bottle: “It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.” Case closed. Pepper spray is a better choice if you prefer to carry such things with you.

E-mails such as this one continually get passed on whether their claims are factual or not. Why (other than the obvious reasons) are they more popular than the chain letters promising years of bad luck and/or a gruesome demise if they’re not sent along?

When we read these “secret” tips to prevent or escape a stranger’s attack, we feel like we have gained something. They give us a false sense of security. The potential for a random attack late at night while walking through the grocery store parking lot is terrifying. It can come out of nowhere. It is in the shadowy realm of the unknown.

Feeling as though we are somewhat prepared for such a situation makes us feel like we have some control. And when it comes to things that scare us, many of those fears involve a sense of helplessness. If we can just memorize a list of instructions, maybe we won’t be so vulnerable anymore.

Self-defense classes and being well-informed about personal safety are definitely worthwhile. But the danger of this is a feeling of complacency: “I know what to do, so nothing bad will happen to me.”

In all situations it is imperative to remain aware of your surroundings. “The Gift of Fear,” by Gavin de Becker, is a great resource for this approach. The book explores using one’s intuition and careful observation to avoid dangerous situations. A calm but vigilant attitude is much more effective than trying to remember the content of an e-mail when trouble arises. Don’t let paranoia get the best of you.