How to keep retics on the smaller side? (Mainlands)

[Bluebonnet Herp]

I hate to put this out there, and in no way am suggesting it is ok, but in situations like this I wonder how many people keep knives or whatever near when they handle their large snakes alone. Not that anyone would ever want to harm their pet but when it would come down to them or the snake the answer would be obvious. Again I'm not suggesting that it is ok, nor do I or would I own a large snake unless I could get someone else to be there with me to handle it. Just kinda putting it out there as I'm sure it happens more than people would like to say. On that note the pet store I frequent recently stopped buying from one of their local breeders because, long story short, word got to the pet store that the breeder got bit and wrapped up (to an unknown extent to me....possibly just his arm) by one of his larger boas and he ended up slamming the boa against the wall a few times until he thought it was dead....well it turns out it never did die. Sorry for dragging that out but I just thought it was worth mentioning the mentality of some snake keepers.

I've heard that pepper spray can be used if the person knows their life really is in danger. Safer alternative than a knife or the wall for both parties involved.

Or the alternative mentioned above.