Replies

Bear Spray.
There has not been a case of it failing to stop ANY bear... it is amazingly effective. Breathing hurts, your eyes hurt, it can make you sick (probably from the heavy runny mucus that occurs immediately after getting sprayed with it)
Good up to 30 or so feet, but don't spray it in an enclosed room unless you have an exit pre-planned.
Works on nearly all animals, including I have heard, alligators.

Oh, and it is a nearly completely harmless chemical wise, it is made of the active ingredient in peppers. Water gets rid of it and it is gone.

Trust me though, you (or your adversary) will need a lot water.. a shower is best.
But figure anyone sprayed directly with it for about an hour is effectively out of action.

I have to disagree with one thing you said. Water is not effective in removing capsaicin. It is an oleo resin and is not water soluble. I have heard milk might be good because the proteins may bind with it but that didn't work for me one time when I had peeled hot chiles bare handed and they were burning up with pain. I tried everything in the house; cucumber lotion, milk, water and dish soap and other things that might remove it or cool it.

Finally I gave up and went out to the garden and pulled weeds for something to do. About twenty minutes later I realized the pepper pain was gone. Something about the soil removed the capsaicin or neutralized it because it didn't reactivate when I washed my hands which is quite typical. I don't know how you could apply that remedy to the eyes, nose or throat though.