| Pepper spray does in fact have a shelf life. The | | | | their effectiveness, it is strongly recommended to |
| average shelf life of a pepper spray is typically | | | | replace a spray well before its expiration date. It is |
| around 3 to 4 years. Most defense sprays have an | | | | also advisable to test your canister of spray |
| expiration date stamped on the canister. A pepper | | | | periodically and at least once every 6 months. A |
| spray's effectiveness is derived mainly from its | | | | simple test would only require a one second burst to |
| chemical compound of OC or Oleoresin Capsicum. OC | | | | be sprayed outdoors and standing upwind to prevent |
| is a natural chemical comprised of various hot pepper | | | | self contamination. A regular inspection of a spray's |
| plants, hence the name Pepper Spray. Although the | | | | expiration date and overall condition will always |
| OC will not degrade over time, an expired canister | | | | ensure a potent and reliable protection device to be |
| may not spray as far as expected and in some | | | | readily available when needed. When the time for |
| cases the unit may fail to spray entirely. A spray that | | | | replacement is established, the old canister of OC |
| is kept beyond its shelf life has a potential for the | | | | spray makes a great training and practice tool. It is |
| aerosol propellant to leak out and render the spray | | | | always a good idea to set up a target outdoors and |
| less effective. Leakage is especially common in | | | | practice spraying the old spray to test aim and gain |
| smaller type sprays such as key chain and pocket | | | | confidence when using a defense spray in a real life |
| versions. | | | | situation. |
| Since the chemical potency of pepper spray is vital in | | | | |