It was a hot day for seniors of the Lincoln County community asthey learned about a simple means of defense and received somehands-on experience with pepper spray.

TRIAD, an outreach program comprised of AARP, Lincoln CountySheriff’s Department and Brookhaven Police Department, held theirusual monthly program Tuesday at the Jimmy Furlow Senior CitizenCenter to instruct participants on how to properly handle pepperspray and presented educational information regarding thesubstance, which has been in use by law enforcement officers since1973.

“We’re trying to do some of the different classes with the TRIADprogram to do some of the stuff that’s been requested,” saidSheriff Steve Rushing. “Our goal is to try to do different subjectsfor them every month.”

LCSD Capt. Dustin Bairfield demonstrated to the class how tohold the can, how long to squirt the suffocating mist, the weapon’shistory, its effectiveness and various points of interest aboutpepper spray.

“There’s really no right or wrong,” said Bairfield on how toshoot the can. “As long as you hold it out from you and aim for thenose.”

Bairfield, who is in charge of instructing deputies on theproper use of pepper spray, also went through several safetytips.

“I would probably treat it like a handgun,” said Bairfield.

Seniors were even given some pepper spray cans filled with waterand were invited to spray a dummy so they could see what it is liketo use pepper spray, which is legally available to the public forpurchase.

“I think it’s real good for them to have as long as they knowhow to do it right,” said BPD Chief Pap Henderson.

However, before the instruction became hands on, it was handsoff for most participants.

While passing around a small key ring sized can of pepper sprayand despite being informed that the spray’s contents are effectiveeven if not directly in the mist’s path, participant Carolyn Reed’scuriosity got the best of her.

“I was seeing if I knew how to do it and was brave enough to doit if the time comes,” said Reed.

Reed sprayed the can on a napkin and soon audience members weresent gagging, coughing and heading toward the exit signs.

“It ain’t gonna kill you,” said Reed. “It’ll make you thinkyou’re dying.”

In spite of being victims to Reed’s curiosity, participantsenjoyed the lesson.

Some seniors thought because they are older, they may be preyedon by criminals and wanted a simple way to defend themselves.

“I thought this was important to see being of older age and notwanting to carry a handgun because it’s unsafe,” said CarolineKluge, of Brookhaven. “It’s good to know.”

However, seniors might feel a little safer knowing that crimemight not play favorites.

“Anyone that is careless is vulnerable to crime, regardless ofyour age,” said Henderson. “Anyone that is careless is vulnerableto crime, that’s my opinion.”