How to Use Your Pepper Spray or Pepper Gel

If you’ve already purchased your pepper spray or pepper gel, you’re one step closer to peace of mind. Next comes learning how to use it confidently so you feel prepared, just in case.

To use Safely pepper spray or pepper gel, point the nozzle away from you, unlock the safety lock with your thumb, aim at the attacker’s eyes, and press down to release the formula. Then move away and get help.

Both formulas use the same four steps. The difference is how they travel and what happens when they reach your target.

Pepper Spray vs. Pepper Gel: What’s the Difference?

Safely pepper spray and pepper gel have the same strength and reach up to 10 feet. Both contain 1.4% Major Capsaicinoids (MC), the compounds responsible for the formula’s heat. In other words, it’s VERY hot!

Pepper spray releases a liquid stream that can disperse into smaller droplets. Wind can carry those droplets back toward you or toward people nearby.

Pepper gel releases a thicker, sticky stream that clings where it lands and has less risk of blowback. Because it stays more concentrated, it requires more precise aim and direct contact with the attacker’s eyes.

With either formula, your goal is to create an opportunity to get away and find help.

Step 1: Point the Nozzle Away From You

Before unlocking your canister, check that the nozzle faces away from your body and toward your target.

Hold the canister firmly with your thumb positioned at the safety lock. Keep your fingers clear of the nozzle.

If you’re using a Safely Sidekick, make sure the canister is properly seated and secured in the device before carrying it.

These steps help reduce the chance of getting pepper spray or gel on your skin, eyes, clothes, or belongings.

Step 2: Unlock Your Canister With Your Thumb

Your Safely pepper spray or pepper gel has a safety lock to help prevent accidental deployment.

Use your thumb to slide the safety lock to the right. Keep the nozzle pointed away from you while unlocking it.

We recommend using your thumb rather than your index finger to maintain a firm grip and control the canister.

Once unlocked, the nozzle on your pepper spray or gel should be in the direction your thumb points, which is—you guessed it—away from you.

Step 3: Aim at the Eyes and Spray

Aim the nozzle at the attacker’s eyes. Safely pepper spray and pepper gel reach up to 10 feet, so you don’t need to get close to use them. Maintain distance whenever possible.

Press and hold the actuator down with your thumb, sweeping from side to side across the eyes. Think ear to ear.

With pepper spray, watch for wind that could carry droplets toward you. With pepper gel, focus on getting the stream directly across the eyes, since the thicker formula affects what it touches.

You’ll notice the formula contains UV dye to help identify your target, so you can see exactly where the pepper spray is landing and how to adjust your aim, if needed.

Neither formula guarantees that an attacker will stop. Move away as soon as you have an opportunity rather than staying to watch the results.

Step 4: Lock & Leave

Your priority after using pepper spray or pepper gel is to put distance between yourself and the threat.

Move toward a safer location and call 911 as soon as you can safely do so. Keep your canister accessible while getting away in case the threat continues.

Once you’re safe, slide the safety lock fully to the left to help prevent accidental deployment.

How to Practice Using Pepper Spray or Pepper Gel

Knowing the steps is a great start. Practicing helps make them feel familiar before you ever need them.

We recommend using Safely Practice Spray, which contains 100% water and no pepper formula. You can practice your grip, unlocking, aiming, and spraying without using up your live pepper spray or pepper gel.

Practice Spray helps you build muscle memory for the same movements used with both formulas. Just remember that the water stream won’t show you how pepper gel sticks on contact.

Choose a target, such as cardboard or a Pinky Poster, and practice the four steps above so you feel confident using your device.

Watch our 1-minute video on how to use pepper spray to see the basic movements in action.

A little practice can help you feel more prepared, more confident, and ready. Just in case.