Pepper Spray...Does it Really WORK?

Started carrying this around a few years ago after getting randomly assaulted by a stranger while on a walk around a park in my neighborhood. That terrifying experience prompted me to buy this brand and always have it in my front pocket upon leaving the house. Says Kielma, we sell pepper spray for self-defense…this is an inexpensive carry item you need to keep in your self-defense kit.

That was 5 years ago, fast forward to early yesterday morning around 5am: I was working the front desk at my work (graveyard shift) where I'm a concierge at a luxury high rise building. No security, just me on the clock in the whole building. A resident entered the building, and a man quickly ran up & tailgated him in by grabbing the door before it closed. Upon confronting the man, it was clear he was not in the right state of mind (most likely under the influence of something). He admitted he was homeless, but he was already very angry and kept stepping toward me. 

The resident who then had tailgated was still in the lobby making sure I was okay and seeing that the homeless man started trying to get behind the front desk, the resident came over and yelled for the man to get back. The homeless man then "dared" me to call the police, which I immediately started doing since he would not leave, and he was becoming more aggressive by the second. I was on the phone with 911, the man continued to try and get behind the desk and I warned him I was going to pepper spray him if he didn't get back. 

I quickly aimed and fired my pepper spray directly into the attacker's face. A pressurized stream of pepper gel completely covered the attacker's face, getting his eyes, nose, and mouth. It was a long stream.  I was about 4 feet away from the attacker and it drenched him good. It immediately had this 6'4 muscular monster crouching down, putting his face in his hands as he couldn't see. I never thought I'd have to use this after carrying this around for years, but it sure saved my life because that man was on a mission to hurt someone.

 I believe I pressed down on the pepper spray for three entire seconds. He was so out of his mind that he didn't even try to block his face at first, most likely from whatever he was on. He had that "cold blank killer stare" when he was coming after me. He and his companion left the area before the police arrived. You never know when something could happen, and if you live in a metro area like I do, the police aren't always guaranteed to show up or when you desperately need them.