Why I Believe in the Power of Pepper Spray
I had the privilege of attending a 12 week police academy.
I call it a privilege because only a small percentage of the population ever goes into the law enforcement field.
Of that, an even smaller percentage are females.
I learned a lot during those twelve weeks.
The topics we covered ranged from firearms training to an Emergency Vehicle Operation Course.
It was very cool to drive a vehicle at top speed and intentionally make it spin out! Although I lost a lot of sleep and early morning mile and a half runs made me grumpy, I never thought about giving up or going home...
except once.
It was the day we received our OC spray training.
We started out in the classroom where the instructor taught us everything we ever need to know about OC pepper spray.
Then they took us out to the fields.
We lined up like sheep for the slaughter.
And one by one we were sprayed.
As I write this, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
The memory alone gives me the shivers.
Even though I mentally understood what was happening, I had to fight against panic setting in.
Within a few seconds, I could not keep my eyes open.
Breathing was difficult at best and there was a moment when I thought surely I was going to die.
All I could do was cough and spit and gasp for air.
I was taken to our decontamination center where I was told to open my eyes and blink while my head was dunked underwater.
Then I sat in front of a huge fan.
The cool air soothed the burning on my skin for awhile.
Every so often someone would spray me with a mixture of sugar water.
I was encouraged by the trainers who told me I was doing great.
I didn't lose my cool like some of the other students did, but I was only calm on the outside.
Inside, all I could think about was going home.
It took 40 minutes before I was decontaminated enough to be able to function.
By the thirty minute mark, I was ready to quit my job, pack up my stuff and head back to the safety of my house.
My mother passed away two years ago but I kept wishing she was nearby.
I have a warrior mindset.
I know that pain is temporary and I can get through it.
I keep going until I have exhausted all options, or until I am physically unable to perform.
Getting pepper sprayed brought me to that point.
I was ready to give up and was actually crying...
not that anyone could tell because I was already a hot, wet mess.
I call it a privilege because only a small percentage of the population ever goes into the law enforcement field.
Of that, an even smaller percentage are females.
I learned a lot during those twelve weeks.
The topics we covered ranged from firearms training to an Emergency Vehicle Operation Course.
It was very cool to drive a vehicle at top speed and intentionally make it spin out! Although I lost a lot of sleep and early morning mile and a half runs made me grumpy, I never thought about giving up or going home...
except once.
It was the day we received our OC spray training.
We started out in the classroom where the instructor taught us everything we ever need to know about OC pepper spray.
Then they took us out to the fields.
We lined up like sheep for the slaughter.
And one by one we were sprayed.
As I write this, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
The memory alone gives me the shivers.
Even though I mentally understood what was happening, I had to fight against panic setting in.
Within a few seconds, I could not keep my eyes open.
Breathing was difficult at best and there was a moment when I thought surely I was going to die.
All I could do was cough and spit and gasp for air.
I was taken to our decontamination center where I was told to open my eyes and blink while my head was dunked underwater.
Then I sat in front of a huge fan.
The cool air soothed the burning on my skin for awhile.
Every so often someone would spray me with a mixture of sugar water.
I was encouraged by the trainers who told me I was doing great.
I didn't lose my cool like some of the other students did, but I was only calm on the outside.
Inside, all I could think about was going home.
It took 40 minutes before I was decontaminated enough to be able to function.
By the thirty minute mark, I was ready to quit my job, pack up my stuff and head back to the safety of my house.
My mother passed away two years ago but I kept wishing she was nearby.
I have a warrior mindset.
I know that pain is temporary and I can get through it.
I keep going until I have exhausted all options, or until I am physically unable to perform.
Getting pepper sprayed brought me to that point.
I was ready to give up and was actually crying...
not that anyone could tell because I was already a hot, wet mess.
