[FunkPumpkin]

Originally Posted by vagabond ↗

Unfucking believable! What exactly does bear spray consist of?

A lord-shit-ton of oleoresin capsicum, amongst other things.

source

The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is a chemical derived from the fruit of plants in the Capsicum genus, including chilis. Extraction of oleoresin capsicum (OC) from peppers requires capsicum to be finely ground, from which capsaicin is then extracted using an organic solvent such as ethanol. The solvent is then evaporated, and the remaining waxlike resin is the oleoresin capsicum.

An emulsifier such as propylene glycol is used to suspend OC in water, and pressurized to make it aerosol in pepper spray. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is used to measure the amount of capsaicin and major capsaicinoids within pepper sprays.

Determining the strength of different manufacturers of pepper sprays can be confusing and difficult. Statements a company makes about their product strength are not regulated. A method using the capsaicin and related capsaicinoids (CRC) content of the product is unreliable as well, because there are six different types of capsaicinoids, causing different levels of irritation. Manufacturers do not state which particular type of capsaicinoids are used. Personal pepper sprays can range from a low of 0.18% to a high of 3%. Most law enforcement pepper sprays use between 1.3% and 2%. The federal government of the United States has determined that bear attack deterrent sprays must contain at least 1.0% and not more than 2% CRC. CRC does not measure the amount of OC within the formulation. Instead, CRC is the pain-producing component of the OC that produces the burning sensation.

The federal government of the United States makes no mention of Scoville heat units (SHU) or OC in their requirements, only CRC (only for bear attack deterrent sprays). But, there are countries (Italy, Portugal and Spain - see below, under "Legality") and a few states within the US (Michigan and Wisconsin with a 10% OC limit) that do mention OC limitations. Some manufacturers may show a very high percentage of OC and, although OC is the active ingredient within the formulation, it does not indicate pepper spray strength. High OC percentage also indicates that a spray has more oil content; which, can possibly use lower grade pepper oils (but, more of it), or lower grade capssaicinoids (within the major CRCs) and also has less ability to soak and penetrate skin than a formula with a less, but higher-quality, pepper oil, because oil has hydrophobic properties.

The OC percentage measures only the amount of chili oil extract contained in the defense spray, not the strength, pungency or effectiveness of the product. Other companies may show a high SHU. The SHU is a measurement of the base resin compound and not what comes out in the aerosol. The rated irritant effect of the resin may be diluted depending on how much of it is put in the can.

[mintycbo]

Almost took his ear off, lot of arteries run in that part of the scalp as well. I'm genuinely happy he survived. He came out of it in decent shape all things considered.
This is why it pays to do research on areas you're planning on hiking, etc. and the wildlife in the area, had he just been some average Joe who knew little of bears or the woods, he'd be dinner for a momma and cubs.

[murofhsirgo]

The bear spray pissed her off
The joke here in Alaska is the bears like to spray backpackers with the ''bear spary'' for a little added flavor

[FunkPumpkin]

Originally Posted by murofhsirgo ↗

The bear spray pissed her off
The joke here in Alaska is the bears like to spray backpackers with the ''bear spary'' for a little added flavor

Maybe, but unless you've got a .460 Weatherby Magnum on hand, bear spray is better than playing dead.

[flyflicker123]

Originally Posted by FunkPumpkin ↗

Maybe, but unless you've got a .460 Weatherby Magnum on hand, bear spray is better than playing dead.

Another idiot who has never hunted or been around bears..SHUT UP.

[spudigitti]

If you go into the animals habitat and it almost kills you aren't you responsible for what happened !!!
The guy is a hero though his adrenaline spike must have been massive !!!
Stand by !!

[FunkPumpkin]

Originally Posted by flyflicker123 ↗

Another idiot who has never hunted or been around bears..SHUT UP.

Fuck you, asshole. I used to hike with black bears in the Cascade Mountains. You don't know me, I don't know you. Bear spray works SOMETIMES, not all the time, just like seatbelts. You're still better wearing a seatbelt than not, same goes for bear spray.

Go eat a large bag of dicks. Welcome to my iggy list.

[iflewaway]

Animals better have not been harmed because of stupid humans... especially in this case, I don't think I could 'bear' it.

[iwasbored]

Ladies love a man with scars. I'm jealous.

[Riddla]

Thats why I always carry a noisy cricket with me.