There is no best pattern I would argue, each type has advantages and disadvantages. Stream, gel, or fog/mist each have drawbacks. If I had to choose a single one to have for all purposes I would probably go with a fog/mist pattern though, just have to pay attention to wind patterns. If I had it for an indoor situation I would consider the gel type so as to avoid exposing everyone inside.

do you get to choose what you carry on the job?
or are you required to only use the department issue?

There is no best pattern I would argue, each type has advantages and disadvantages. Stream, gel, or fog/mist each have drawbacks. If I had to choose a single one to have for all purposes I would probably go with a fog/mist pattern though, just have to pay attention to wind patterns. If I had it for an indoor situation I would consider the gel type so as to avoid exposing everyone inside.

do you get to choose what you carry on the job?
or are you required to only use the department issue?

I wonder if he's ever experienced any sort of pepper spray or tear gas.

Pepper spray sin't a gas.  It's a liquid propellant that delivers capsaicin resin.  It causes irritation and difficulty breathing with contact to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes.

The best method IMO is a stream.  It has a longer reach so you don't have to be as close.  It has better aim than a broad spray (doesn't get on people relatively near the target).  It also delivers a more concentrated load of spray.

I think a fog might surprise someone and maybe make them pause, but it's probably not intense enough to incapacitate an attacker long enough to escape to safety.

Tear gas is a different animal completely.  It contains solid particles that can actually scratch your eyes if rubbed, so it's better to rinse with water.  Some ANTIFA protestors took milk to clean out their eyes, but I've never trusted that to be as safe.

When I went through gas mask training, we had to stand in a small house with our masks on while tear gas was released to test the seals on our masks.  Then one at a time, we went up to the instructor, removed our masks, counted to 10 out loud, and left.  I luckily didn't get hit by the gas when I took my mask off.  However, on the bus back to the squadron HQ, I was sitting behind someone who opened their window.  The draft blew the tear gas particles on his jacket into my face, so I got to experience the sensation AFTER my training was over.   

i'm betting that they do this at the academy...

I wonder if he's ever experienced any sort of pepper spray or tear gas.

Pepper spray sin't a gas.  It's a liquid propellant that delivers capsaicin resin.  It causes irritation and difficulty breathing with contact to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes.

The best method IMO is a stream.  It has a longer reach so you don't have to be as close.  It has better aim than a broad spray (doesn't get on people relatively near the target).  It also delivers a more concentrated load of spray.

I think a fog might surprise someone and maybe make them pause, but it's probably not intense enough to incapacitate an attacker long enough to escape to safety.

Tear gas is a different animal completely.  It contains solid particles that can actually scratch your eyes if rubbed, so it's better to rinse with water.  Some ANTIFA protestors took milk to clean out their eyes, but I've never trusted that to be as safe.

When I went through gas mask training, we had to stand in a small house with our masks on while tear gas was released to test the seals on our masks.  Then one at a time, we went up to the instructor, removed our masks, counted to 10 out loud, and left.  I luckily didn't get hit by the gas when I took my mask off.  However, on the bus back to the squadron HQ, I was sitting behind someone who opened their window.  The draft blew the tear gas particles on his jacket into my face, so I got to experience the sensation AFTER my training was over.   

i'm betting that they do this at the academy...

I will offer some gel pepper spray to test. . . on you. . .   

The best pepper spray is the one in your pocket when you need it. In the real world, convenience is a significant factor.

Hence, I gifted small, lightweight Sabre spray units to my coworkers before I retired. I did not want to hear about any of my friends on the 6 o'clock news.

When I went through gas mask training, we had to stand in a small house with our masks on while tear gas was released to test the seals on our masks.  Then one at a time, we went up to the instructor, removed our masks, counted to 10 out loud, and left.  I luckily didn't get hit by the gas when I took my mask off.  However, on the bus back to the squadron HQ, I was sitting behind someone who opened their window.  The draft blew the tear gas particles on his jacket into my face, so I got to experience the sensation AFTER my training was over.   

There are also those who are immune from this gas as well.  There's a vid of a Marine who's in there with no mask, he's 1 of the instructors. While the others are wearing their mask, then doff it and then exit the room. 

I will offer some gel pepper spray to test. . . on you. . .   

At least, this would be legal to test. Compared to Tasers.

At least, this would be legal to test. Compared to Tasers.

I’m sure there’s a legal way to test tasers… specifically on you! 

I’m sure there’s a legal way to test tasers… specifically on you! 

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I'd pay a dollar to see that....and shoot a viral tik tok video too.

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I'd pay a dollar to see that....and shoot a viral tik tok video too.

I'd seriously put way more $$$ on that. . . 

Bear spray.

Because why use a foam or gel type when you can soak them head to toe.

At Army Boot camp when they herded us into that shack with the tear gas the Drill sergeants told us to take off our masks and take a DEEP BREATH.

Then they told us to file one by one and walk briskly out of the shack.  Those who ran were promptly grabbed and again told to WALK briskly toward the entrance.  Rinse and repeat for the panicked ones who only made it harder for themselves.

Me?  Because I was from Hawaii they made me do the hula for extra credit.  Then I was allowed to walk out of the shack.

Bear spray.

Because why use a foam or gel type when you can soak them head to toe.

I'd pay for bear spray to test on macsak 

The best method IMO is a stream.  It has a longer reach so you don't have to be as close.  It has better aim than a broad spray (doesn't get on people relatively near the target).  It also delivers a more concentrated load of spray.

I think a fog might surprise someone and maybe make them pause, but it's probably not intense enough to incapacitate an attacker long enough to escape to safety.

The reason I said I would prefer a fogger is because if you miss someone with a stream then there is a good chance you have no effect. With a fogger you can let out a whole cloud and they will get hit with some of it. Get some on the skin, the eyes and the lungs.  The main problem is the wind can be your enemy, but it can also be your friend, the cloud can travel pretty far, even 100 feet.

Pepper spray is more effective than CS gas generally speaking.

The reason I said I would prefer a fogger is because if you miss someone with a stream then there is a good chance you have no effect. With a fogger you can let out a whole cloud and they will get hit with some of it. Get some on the skin, the eyes and the lungs.  The main problem is the wind can be your enemy, but it can also be your friend, the cloud can travel pretty far, even 100 feet.

Pepper spray is more effective than CS gas generally speaking.

Getting "hit with some of it " is not as effective, if at all.  If being attacked, you need to incapacitate, not irritate.

If you use a handful of gravel because you think you might miss with a large single rock,  you deserve what comes after.

I'm interested in to see how that bang stick thing will do.  It does contain PAVA, which has been known to cause permanent damage, compared to OC.  Guess we would have to wait for bad guys lawyer.

Getting "hit with some of it " is not as effective, if at all.  If being attacked, you need to incapacitate, not irritate.

If you use a handful of gravel because you think you might miss with a large single rock,  you deserve what comes after.

But hitting with some of your shot is more effective than missing all of your shot. I got exposed once from about 100+ feet away. It burned but I could still see alright however I was coughing and that would make it difficult to give chase.

I'm interested in to see how that bang stick thing will do.  It does contain PAVA, which has been known to cause permanent damage, compared to OC.  Guess we would have to wait for bad guys lawyer.

OC does have a small risk of permanent scratches to the cornea from the grit. Don't know how that compares to the bang stick though