Every 2 weeks I dose somewhere from 60-175 troops with OC.
They are then required to move along a 75 yard course, employing thier baton in offensive and defensive roles, 2 takedowns and securing 2 detainees). 75% are able to complete the course and tasks with only verbal encouragement or shouting a direction for them to move when vision gets bad. 15 percent get badly effected by it and have to be lead through the course and try the tasks by feel, 10% scream, cry like babies and blow snot and boogers all over my compound. Every single 1 will complete the task prior to deployment so they come back and do it the next day and the next til they get it right or are washed out. Have not had a wash out since last October.
In the course of this I manage to get hit pretty good 2-3 times a month and handle people soaked in it daily.
Is OC any good?, it is better than Mace or CS. I'm
almost to the point where I'll consider it a condiment and put it on my omlet
OC does not incapacitate, it distracts. You may put a bad hurting on somebody with it but he will
still be capable of putting a hurt on you if he can get hold of you.
I personally will never depend on the stuff. I can incapacitate folks with a baton and have a lot more options available.
Additionally OC does not have the psychological effect of a baton either. Most everybody in the world has been hit with a stick at one time or another and they can relate on a very basic level. Few can comprehend or relate being sprayed with anything as something to avoid.
Some of my trainees have used it on large groups of detainees with decent effect. We have 3 gallon dispensors available for riot operations and it has worked well in that role.
I'll train people with it and issue it because D.A. says I have to, but that is a long way from having any confidence in it. I do not carry the stuff personally and not likely to start anytime soon.
Sam