Chemical
This
is probably
the most
popular choice
of less than
lethal defense:
chemical
defense.
You
have probably
already heard
of it in the
form of pepper
spray. Another
pretty simple
concept: two
containers at
different
pressures are
connected by a
valve (in this
case a
button). Once
that valve is
released, each
container will
expel gas
until
pressures come
to
equilibrium.
Pepper spray
is fairly
dense for a
liquid-like
substance, its
main
ingredient
Capsaicin has
a mass of
305.418 g/mol,
but the way it
works doesn't
really require
much energy or
velocity. Only
enough to
cover the
distance
between the
individual
holding the
can and the
target. So
long as it
makes skin
contact around
the eyes and
around the
mouth.
Target
Area
The result
will be the
target going
into a fit of
coughing,
wheezing,
gagging, a
burning
sensation on
the skin,
temporary
blindness, and
a burning
sensation in
the throat.
Most likely,
the target
will be
incapacitated,
or in a state
that they are
no longer a
threat.
Since one is
able to aim
for the more
critical parts
of human
sensory
organs, and
able to cause
significant
disturbance to
the body
without
significant
risk of long
term damage,
Pepper spray
is the most
popular form
of self
defense that
doesn't
involve a firearm.