MythBusters · Video summary

Will A Taser And Pepper Spray Turn Into A Fireball? | MythBusters | S6 E15 | Full Episode

MythBusters tests if stun guns and pepper spray create fireballs and if 400 rockets can launch a human. Results are plausible for fireballs with specific conditions, but the human rocket launch is busted.

MythBusters · April 19, 2026 · 49-min episode · 6-min read

Will A Taser And Pepper Spray Turn Into A Fireball? | MythBusters | S6 E15 | Full Episode

Key takeaways

📚When evaluating dramatic claims, break down the components (ignition, accelerant, material, propulsion) and test each individually to understand the underlying cause-and-effect relationships.04:15
🎯A stun gun spark can ignite flammable materials like pepper spray and certain fabrics, but the intensity of the ignition depends on the concentration of accelerants and the material's flammability.04:57
🔍Consumer-grade skyrockets have insufficient thrust to lift a human; achieving human flight would require a significantly larger number of rockets or more powerful propulsion systems.10:45
💡Not all pepper sprays are flammable; flammability depends on the propellant used, with some consumer-grade sprays being significantly more volatile than others.14:00
🚀When dealing with potential ignition sources and flammable materials, understand that specific chemical compositions and material properties are critical determinants of outcome.14:00
📈The flammability of clothing varies greatly by material, with synthetics like acrylic and fleece burning more aggressively than natural fibers like wool or cotton.21:14

Chapters

0:02🎬 Introduction and Episode Setup
2:02🧪 Myth Recap from CSI and Setup for Testing
3:33🔥 Initial Test of Pepper Spray and Stun Gun on Pig
4:15🔍 Breakdown of Combustion Conditions
5:50⚡ Spark Generation and Ignition Testing
6:33🔥🚫 Fireball Potential with Different Materials
6:54🔥🚀 Flammability of Pepper Sprays and Making a Fireball
8:51🚀 Fireworks Carrying Capacity and Rocket Testing
19:58🧥 Testing Flammability of Fabrics
25:23🎯 Constructing a Large-Scale Fireworks Man
36:29🔥🔥 Final Fire and Conclusion
40:53🚧 Building and Testing the Fireworks Man Prototype
46:22🚦 Final Launch Attempt with Fireworks Man
47:40🔥 Concluding the Myth of Fireworks Launching a Man

The digest

This episode thoroughly investigates two daring myths: whether combining a stun gun (taser) and pepper spray can produce an instantaneous fireball like seen on TV, and whether a person can actually launch themselves by strapping multiple skyrockets (fireworks) to their body. The tests combine chemistry, physics, and real-world experimentation to separate sensational fiction from plausible reality, offering insights for safety, science enthusiasts, and curious minds alike.