How Does A Truck Driver Protect Themselves

A few words of caution...

Bear Spray has a much lower concentration of oleoresin capsicu (OC), which is the active ingredient that causes irritation, than pepper spray. Bear spray is intended only to be used as a bear deterrent, and will do nothing in the event of an actual attack. If your company allows it, just carry legit pepper spray or mace. You'll also find that, in certain jurisdictions (and all of Canada), it is illegal to use bear spray on a human. Some states require a state permit to purchase or even possess pepper spray, and may even restrict the amount in a bottle, so that is another thing to be aware of.

Wasp spray - now, I understand that when your life is on the line, pretty much anything goes. But... Wasp spray is federally regulated as a poison. There are numerous articles on the internet where people have gone out and tested this (they might just be insane) and have come to the conclusion that wasp spray does not make an adequate weapon for self defense, as it has a minimal effect on the target. Granted, this video was produced by a leading manufacture of pepper spray, but it is a bit eye opening, so to speak: https://youtu.be/9Uy9MnQfk_0

Back to wasp spray being federally regulated as a poison. There is a warning right there on the bottle that states: "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling." What is it for? Killing bugs, and ONLY killing bugs. If you do use it in self defense, you will likely have to explain to a jury that you poisoned your attacker to get away. As poisoning is not really an accepted form of self defense... good luck.

To be fair, Pepper Spray has the same warning, except its intended use is as a self defense weapon.

Myself, I'll have that 3# tire thumper, 6 Cell Maglite, and maybe a decent pocket knife available for slicing my apples.

All this talk about protection me personally I sat if they want it they can have it it can be replaced. I’m going to try and keep it from happening but I don’t care about this truck and load as much as I do me. If I think my trailer is being broken into I’ll call 911 but I’m not gonna run out there to stop them. Now if there trying to get in cab all bets our off I will defend my life till my last breath. Even with wasp spray if need I do keep my thumper by the door straight razor in sleeper and my belt knife on my side. But I always say better to be tried by 12 then carried by 6. And sometimes I’ll carry my keys in my fist for a punching stabbing kind of way if the area I’m in makes me nervous. But I’m a always looking over my shoulder kind of person. I would like to open carry out here but company policy and varying state rules make it impossible. But also that cb mic could make a great weapon also think about that thing whacking someone.