And a chain, well atleast a chain.
Really if you do not like to see blood use a compressor, I have seen to much broken fingers, missing tooths and so on, a friend of mine still has a "Tatoo" on his right shoulder after a -64 chevelle spring, just pure luck that he was not killed, that was 15 years ago...
It does not take much before a jack or jack stand slips, a chain will help, but if I see some one trying to take out a front spring without a compressor I will stop him
But sure if you buy the cheapest compressor you can get on the bay you are asking for trouble, the same trouble you will get if you do not know your tools and how to use them