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CHL/LEO wrote:

however using pepper spray works best when your opponent isn't expecting it.

There have been plenty of times that we have taken our OC spray out and and just started shaking it prior to attempting to arrest a resisting suspect. If they've ever been sprayed before they know what's about to happen next and in most cases that's enough to get them to comply. The same thing goes when you unholster a Taser and put the red dot right on their chest. Sometimes that's enough to get their attention and compliance.

Even though the scenario being discussed here concerns potential victims that are not in uniform, the situations are similar regarding how a suspect decides whether or not to fight an officer. Now if they are drunk or drugged up - that's an entirely different story.

I have no doubt that it works for uniformed officers... the bad guys generally know you're serious.

As a citizen, without the aura of authority and competence, I like to use surprise. A lot of bad guys don't take threats from their victims all that seriously. Particularly if the victim shows very natural signs of fear.

The following is a detailed method for "reading" a criminal encounter and how to handle the situation. I believe it to be an excellent guide to handling criminal encounters.

http://www.teddytactical.com/archive/Mo ... unters.pdf

Typically encounters begin with the criminal approaching in a "Rude" direct and confrontational way or with a "Ruse"/polite plea for some kind of assistance.

The criminal will try to control their target's movement by stopping them and staking them in place.

There are several potential attack indicators. 1. Grooming, 2. Assessment glances (look around to check that conditions are right before they make their attack), 3. Body Load (squaring to the target and assuming a fighting stance), 4. False Starts (hand movement towards weapon before the weapon is actually deployed)

More detail is available in the article.

12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes), yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.

I'd recommend carrying defensive spray, and I'm sure this approach can work... however using pepper spray works best when your opponent isn't expecting it. Also the criminal may try to stop you from pulling out the pepper spray if you announce you have it, but haven't got the spray in your hand yet. If you have the spray in your hand, holding it too far "out" makes it vulnerable to the criminal grabbing the spray.

Pepper spray can be carried covertly in your hand. When I percieve potential trouble, I reach for my pepper spray. Having pepper spray in hand means you can react more quickly if you have to use it.