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[eddie]

CS differs from OC as the CS is more of a phsychological reaction.
CS causes irritation of the airways and eyes along with the mucus membranes.
The pain from it can be controlled to the point of still having full fighting ability
and some individuals with altered mind sets, such as drugs and alcohol, some times not being affected at all.
CS is also HIGHLY FLAMMABLE! Which is the biggest reason Law Enforcement has done away with it with exceptions in extremely rare cases.

OC also affects the eyes, mouth, throat, skin and mucous membranes.
It is an involuntary effect, as it will swell the throat and mucus membranes close to the point of closure to induce a panic/hyperventilating knock out punch.
Involuntary means that no matter the mindset, or pain perceptions of the individual, it will still be effective, since the affects are physical instead of phsychological.
On the mucus membranes it also causes them to rapidly fill with extra body fluids (mucous)
in an attempt to flush the irritant out, which adds to the difficulty in breathing.
OC is also mixed with alcohol, which has a very rapid rate of evaporation. This is what forces the eyes shut, not just the pain from the pepper extracts. When the alcohol is in contact with the eyes, it evaporates quickly, which drys the eyes out, which makes them hurt and tear up in an effort to rehydrate. When the individual re-opens his eyes, the drying process begins again.
This process works so well, that if the person wears contact lenses, then by LAW in NC and most states, the lenses CANNOT be removed except by emergency room doctors AFTER completely flushing the eyes with saline. If removed prematurely, there is a strong chance that the corneas will be ripped from the eyes as the contact itself will adhere to the cornea during the evaporation process.
OC is also non-flammable, even with the alcohol it has in it.

Compared to CS, OC is a godsend for those that carry and deploy it for a living.
The pain comares as CS= 3 and the OC= 25, on a scale of 1-10.
In other words, CS just can't compare, pain wise or effects wise.

The CS used in the chambers is the same as has been used for years by the military.
Since it is flamable, don't light one for a while, other wise be ready to roll on the ground and be burned.

Here's a link you might like. It has all kids of neat stuff for police, featuring OC and its many types of deployment systems. Swat GEar.com

If you want, get a can ( 5% or 10%)and have some one give you a 1/2 second burst,(normally a one second burst in a real situation.) hoizontally across the eyes and nose at a distance of 3 feet. If you wear contacts, take them out FIRST. Have a garden hose ready without a nozzle and the water running. Don't panic, this will lead to passing out! Stay calm, breathe slowly and steadily.
When you have had enough, lie down and let your helper run the water on your face and head, hair especially, untill you can no longer feel the effects without the water.