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Training day: Pepperball BLAST deployment scenarios

The advantages of this handheld, lightweight, refillable launcher make it perfect for every correctional officer’s use of force toolbox

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The PepperBall BLAST is just one more way to deliver a payload that will distract, disorient or incapacitate an inmate.

It was in 1999 during a gang fight at USP Leavenworth that I first saw PepperBall deployed. There were more than a dozen different inmate fights on the lower floor of the cell house when two officers with PepperBall systems responded. I was impressed with the combination of sound, PAVA powder and non-lethal impact that quickly sent inmates to their cells for cover.

Innovation has always been a key to the success of PepperBall, and the PepperBall BLAST is just one more way to deliver a payload that will distract, disorient or incapacitate an inmate.

An ideal short-range solution for law enforcement and corrections, it is effective for up to 12 ft. This lightweight and refillable delivery system is perfect for carrying in a holster on your hip or vest, or in your hand as a member of a cell extraction or CERT team.

Each reloadable BLAST cartridge contains up to three projectiles worth of PAVA powder. When the quick flip safety is turned and depressed, the PAVA powder is pushed out of the tube by a 1.8g N2O cartridge and will quickly cover the inmate and saturate the cell. Since there are no actual pepperballs deployed upon firing, this is a truly non-lethal product with no impact.

PAVA (also known as pelargonic acid vanillylamide) is a synthetic capsaicinoid used in PepperBall projectiles for its ability to attach to lighter substances and stay aloft in the air longer. This increases the effectiveness of the PAVA powder when deployed.

Available in INERT (no PAVA) and LIVE-X (5% PAVA) concentrations, the BLAST can be reloaded with new barrels and a 1.8g nitrogen cartridge (N2 allows for use in all temperatures and climates).

Emergency cell extraction

Approximately the size of a mini-mag flashlight, the BLAST is 1.5 ounces and only 6.9 inches long. Its compact size makes it perfect for the lead member of a cell extraction team to carry and deploy as the door opens. Whether using a three-staff or five-staff member cell extraction team, the key to success is the surprise of a blast dispersion powder cloud blocking the inmate’s vision. A LIVE-X BLAST will also deliver the burning sensation of PAVA powder, but an INERT BLAST will create the same overwhelming cloud, causing the inmate to turn away and momentarily lose their focus on the team.

Surprise and speed always favor any cell extraction team. Even when the inmate expects the PepperBall BLAST, the surprise and speed of the blast will cause the inmate to turn away from the blast of powder, giving the team a critical advantage. The BLAST should be aimed at center mass with the PAVA powder saturating the upper chest and mucus areas of the head.

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Carried in a holster on your vest or hip, the PepperBall BLAST is also a reliable close-range response to an attack or other use of force.

Calculated cell extraction

Through the door, hands-on cell extraction is not always the preferred or safest method to remove an inmate from a cell. With a range of 12 feet, the PepperBall BLAST can also be utilized effectively through the food slot or vent to fill the cell with 10 grams of LIVE-X PAVA powder. Pointing the BLAST toward the ceiling will cause this powder to stay airborne, causing maximum physiological and psychological effects on the inmate, and encouraging submission to hand restraints without sending any staff through the door.

As with any chemical munition, a tactical pause is important to assess the effectiveness of each deployment. Exposure to PAVA will cause an immediate reaction in the eyes, nose, throat, and chest. If the inmate is still non-compliant, the BLAST can be refilled and redeployed with another no-impact, non-lethal payload.

Immediate use of force

Carried in a holster on your vest or hip, the PepperBall BLAST is also a reliable close-range response to an attack or other use of force. Its one-handed use allows the officer the advantage of keeping one hand free to deflect attacks, all while deploying a blast of LIVE-X powder with the other. The BLAST leaves a cloud of powder between the officer and the inmate allowing the officer time to get a better reactionary distance or call for assistance.

Another big advantage of PAVA powder is easier decontamination. After using in a cell or on an inmate, there is no need for soaps or scrubbing, just fresh air, and cool clean water. PAVA powder can also be cleaned up with a wet mop or wet vac filled with a couple of inches of water in the bottom.

The PepperBalll BLAST has the portability of an OC canister, but with the surprise and coverage of a blast dispersion munition. The advantages of a hand-held, lightweight, refillable launcher make it perfect for every correctional officer’s use of force toolbox.

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Michael Cantrell is a retired federal corrections professional with over 29 years of experience and host of The Prison Officer Podcast. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons as Chief of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, where he specialized in crisis response, tactical operations and staff development.

During his career, Michael led special response teams, disturbance control units and canine operations. He is a certified instructor in firearms, non-lethal weapons, breaching techniques and disturbance control, and is recognized as a leading expert in correctional breaching operations.

Michael is the author of four books, including his latest work “Power Skills: Emotional Intelligence for High-Stakes Professionals” (2025), which focuses on developing practical emotional intelligence skills for corrections officers and first responders. His other works include “The Keys to Your Career in Corrections,” “Finding Your Purpose: Crafting a Personal Vision Statement to Guide Your Life and Career,” and “Born of the Ozarks.”

As a professional speaker and training coach, Michael regularly presents on leadership, emotional intelligence, and career development for corrections professionals. His work has been featured in over 50 published articles appearing in the ILEETA Journal, Corrections1.com, American Jails Magazine, and other industry publications.

Through The Prison Officer Podcast and his writing, Michael continues to support corrections professionals by providing practical strategies for career success, mental health resilience, and professional development. Contact him at mike@theprisonofficer.com or visit www.theprisonofficer.com.