Using Non-Lethal Self-Defense Tools

There are numerous self-defense products on the market today. This is mostly because self-defense has become more and more necessary in the world that we live in, unfortunately. And as I have written in other articles, some folks just aren't comfortable with firearms.  Some of the most popular non-lethal self-defense products today include tasers and stun guns, pepper spray, and personal alarms.  And it is also important to remember that other common, every-day items such as your keys, cell phone, a good tactical pen, a walking stick, and a good flashlight can also be very effective parts of your self-defense arsenal.
 

Tasers and Stun Guns:

A taser, when applied to any part of the body, sends an electric volt through a person, rendering them physically unable to carry out their attack. These are commonly being used by police officers around the globe -- and by private citizens for self-defense.

Tasers come in various styles, and will affect the assailant with various voltages of electricity. The tasers used by police officers typically subject the assailant or suspect with approximately 50,000 volts of electricity. These types of tasers do not require the officers to be near the suspect, as they can typically fire from a distance of about 12 feet.

These are not the types of tasers that private citizens use for self-defense, in most cases. The tasers used by private citizens are typically much smaller in size, less expensive, and of course do require you to touch the pronged end of the taser to the assailant -- usually on his bare skin for best results.

Again, there are numerous styles of tasers to choose from, and it is important to know, before making your purchase, just how effective the taser will be. It is also important to know what the law is in your area concerning the possession and use of tasers.

You should also note that a taser has the same risk as any other weapon in that it can be taken away from you, and used against you by your assailant. Just as you must be willing to pull the trigger of a gun if you point it at someone, you must be willing to press the button of a taser if you pull one out for the purpose of defending yourself.

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Pepper Spray and Mace for Self-Defense:

The use of pepper spray, or mace as it is commonly known, for protection can be an effective solution for escape from an attack. If you choose pepper spray for self-defense, you must be ready to use it. You will need to have the canister in your hand and have your finger on the trigger. There will be no time to dig it out of your purse.

Pepper spray is made to be sprayed in the face of an assailant. It causes extreme discomfort, headache, and dizziness as it affects the central nervous system. There is a tight feeling in the upper respiratory system, which leads to coughing. The target's eyes begin tearing and burning, and there is an overproduction of saliva. The nose burns and the mucosa become extremely irritated. The nerve endings on the face are irritated and cause a stinging, burning sensation. Pepper spray does not cause immobilization, and none of these effects are permanent.

Do a little research to determine the right pepper spray for you; all brands are not alike. You need to read the ingredients before you purchase. You might also need to check with law enforcement to be sure that the one you choose is not illegal for use. Some contain tear gas; the use of tear gas can be a felony in some states, except when used for self defense.

There are different brands and types of mace available. Some contain pepper spray, tear gas, and ultraviolet dye. This type gives you a full onslaught defense for any potential assailant. The pepper spray is made from hot cayenne peppers; this contains the active ingredient oleoresin capsicum. The effect of pepper spray can last up to 90 minutes.

Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent and causes temporary blindness and difficulty breathing. The tear gas is an irritant and causes coughing and stinging. The added advantage of the ultraviolet dye stains the attacker and allows for easy identification of the assailant.

Remember that the use of mace does not totally disable your assailant. He might still be able to run or grab you. After you have sprayed your assailant, run away to a safe area and call law enforcement immediately.
 

Personal Alarms for Self-Defense:

While there are many ways to defend yourself from an attacker, one of the best solutions is to scare the attacker away. How does a 110-pound woman scare a 200-pound man away? A personal alarm has a good chance of getting the job done.

Just as most criminals prefer the dark, they also prefer not to have any attention drawn in their direction. This is exactly what a personal alarm does. It emits a very loud, very annoying sound that simply cannot be ignored by anyone within earshot of it. This in turn lets the attacker know that other people will be coming to investigate the noise, and they are more likely to clear out of the area.

Personal alarms are very small, and fit in the palm of your hand. They can typically be attached to your keychain as well. They emit a very high pitched noise of about 120 decibels or greater. It literally hurts your ears -- and your attacker's ears.

While you may not be able to carry guns or knives, or even pepper spray in some areas, personal alarms are legal everywhere -- even on airplanes. Furthermore, while many weapons can be wrested away from you, and possibly used against you, a personal alarm cannot be used against you, even if it is wrested away from you.

Police whistles have always filled the role of scaring people away, or alerting others to let them know that you were in danger. The problem with police whistles, however, is that you must be able to get it into your mouth to use it, and you may need to continue to blow it until help arrives. That may not always be possible. A personal alarm is much more reliable.

Another good thing about personal alarms is that the pitch of the noise is so high that it also scares away dogs and wild animals. They are also quite affordable, costing between $10 and $20 for top-of-the-line models.

As you can see, a weapon doesn't actually have to serve in its normal capacity as a weapon to be used as one. There are many other "ordinary" items that you can use in your self-defense as well. For best results, make sure that you have more than one with you at all times.

Be sure to visit our recommended products page for self-defense and prepping products!