PAVA spray
Encyclopedia
PAVA spray is dispensed from a hand-held canister in a liquid stream that contains a 0.3% solution of PAVA (pelargonic acid vanillylamide
), a synthetic capsaicinoid, in a solvent of aqueous ethanol
. The propellant is nitrogen
.
This solution has been selected because this is the minimum concentration which will fulfil the purpose of the equipment; namely to minimise a person’s capacity for resistance without unnecessarily prolonging their discomfort. PAVA is significantly more potent than CS
.
The liquid stream is a spray pattern and has a maximum effective range of up to 4 metres. Maximum accuracy, however, will be achieved over a distance of 1.25 - 2 metres. The operating distance is the distance between the canister and the subject’s eyes not the distance between the officer and the subject.
For PAVA to work effectively it must enter the eyes. The effects of PAVA are usually instantaneous if this happens. Exposure to fresh moving air will normally result in a significant recovery from the effects of PAVA within 15 – 35 minutes.
Pharmacologically, like other capsaicinoids, PAVA works by direct binding to receptors (TRPV1
) that normally produce the pain and sensation of heat as if exposed to scalding heat.
spray, some forces, such as Hertfordshire Police, Suffolk Police, Wiltshire Police, West Yorkshire Police
, Northamptonshire Police
, Thames Valley Police
, Devon and Cornwall Police and British Transport Police
have opted to use PAVA. The PAVA personal irritant incapacitant spray is carried by all police officer
s while on operational duties, and if they have been trained in its use. As dictated in UK firearms law
PAVA along with CS and other incapacitants in spray form are classed as firearms and therefore a prohibited weapon, meaning that it is unlawful for a member of the public to possess such an item. However, as servants of the Crown, police officers are exempt from this restriction.
The solution used by the British police is made up of 0.3% PAVA, and is propelled by nitrogen
. The canister will project a stream of liquid where it is pointed and when the button at the top is pressed, and is accurate up to four metres.
Nonivamide
Nonivamide, also called pelargonic acid vanillylamide or PAVA, is an organic compound and a capsaicinoid. It is an amide of pelargonic acid and vanillyl amine. It is present in chili peppers, but is commonly manufactured synthetically...
), a synthetic capsaicinoid, in a solvent of aqueous ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
. The propellant is nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
.
This solution has been selected because this is the minimum concentration which will fulfil the purpose of the equipment; namely to minimise a person’s capacity for resistance without unnecessarily prolonging their discomfort. PAVA is significantly more potent than CS
CS gas
2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent...
.
The liquid stream is a spray pattern and has a maximum effective range of up to 4 metres. Maximum accuracy, however, will be achieved over a distance of 1.25 - 2 metres. The operating distance is the distance between the canister and the subject’s eyes not the distance between the officer and the subject.
Effects of PAVA
PAVA primarily affects the eyes causing closure and severe pain. The pain to the eyes is reported to be greater than that caused by CS. The effectiveness rate is very high once PAVA gets into the eyes. However, there have been occasions where PAVA has failed to work, especially when the subject is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.For PAVA to work effectively it must enter the eyes. The effects of PAVA are usually instantaneous if this happens. Exposure to fresh moving air will normally result in a significant recovery from the effects of PAVA within 15 – 35 minutes.
Pharmacologically, like other capsaicinoids, PAVA works by direct binding to receptors (TRPV1
TRPV1
The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 ', also known as the capsaicin receptor and the vanilloid receptor 1, is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the TRPV1 gene...
) that normally produce the pain and sensation of heat as if exposed to scalding heat.
British police use
The British police did mainly use CS GasCS gas
2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent...
spray, some forces, such as Hertfordshire Police, Suffolk Police, Wiltshire Police, West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing West Yorkshire in England. It is the fourth largest force in England and Wales by number of officers, with 5671 officers....
, Northamptonshire Police
Northamptonshire Police
Northamptonshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Northamptonshire in the East Midlands of England.The force area amounts to and has a resident population of 642,708...
, Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police, formerly known as Thames Valley Constabulary, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the Thames Valley area covered by the ceremonial counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire....
, Devon and Cornwall Police and British Transport Police
British Transport Police
The British Transport Police is a special police force that polices those railways and light-rail systems in Great Britain for which it has entered into an agreement to provide such services...
have opted to use PAVA. The PAVA personal irritant incapacitant spray is carried by all police officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
s while on operational duties, and if they have been trained in its use. As dictated in UK firearms law
Gun politics in the United Kingdom
Gun politics in the United Kingdom generally places its main considerations on how best to ensure public safety and how deaths involving firearms can most effectively be prevented. The United Kingdom has one of the lowest rates of gun homicides in the world, and did so even before strict gun...
PAVA along with CS and other incapacitants in spray form are classed as firearms and therefore a prohibited weapon, meaning that it is unlawful for a member of the public to possess such an item. However, as servants of the Crown, police officers are exempt from this restriction.
The solution used by the British police is made up of 0.3% PAVA, and is propelled by nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
. The canister will project a stream of liquid where it is pointed and when the button at the top is pressed, and is accurate up to four metres.