| Some of today's experts say that nothing more | | | | cause enough pain to stop an assault quickly. |
| than a sturdy ball-point pin is needed for one's | | | | Stingers (sharp edged or pointed devices, like, a |
| physical self-defense. Yet, a pen or similar device | | | | ball-point pen). |
| might not work for everyone. Rather, | | | | Small ready-to-use sharp instruments, like, a small |
| combinations of more than one of the safety | | | | fist-held ice scraper or heavy plastic stud can be |
| alarms and defense devices could offer the most | | | | carried on a belt or key chain, or hung around |
| complete self-protection. | | | | one's neck or wrist. They can be retrieved and |
| A major issue in fending off attackers is to avoid | | | | used rapidly with a sufficient force to breakup an |
| hand or fist combat, if possible. Instead, this kind | | | | attack without causing major injuries. |
| of close-in protection is most effective if the | | | | Miscellaneous (metal knuckles, blowgun, dart, |
| defender can use the passive alarms or repelling | | | | throwing star, nunchuks, kama-&-sai, |
| agents that will stop an attack before any | | | | slingshot, and similar weapon types). |
| physical contact happens. | | | | Most of these devices require time to retrieve, |
| Hand combat should occur only if no other option | | | | load, aim, and use. They also require expert |
| is available, like, being snuck upon and grabbed | | | | training to use them correctly in a defensive |
| from behind. Even then, the defender will want to | | | | mode. The metal knuckles offer some hand |
| strike with the knees, elbows, or feet instead of | | | | protection, but using them will involve hand |
| the hands, if possible. More importantly, however, | | | | combat, which can injure the defender's hands. |
| if this kind of an attack happens, these | | | | Broken hands, knuckles, and fingers are of little |
| self-defense devices must be easy to retrieve | | | | help to someone being assaulted, attacked, or |
| and actuate rapidly. They should also be legal. | | | | captured. Also, most of these devices are illegal |
| Additionally, if the defender cannot prove he or | | | | to carry concealed, or to use without specialized |
| she was attacked first, then they can be held | | | | training and licensing. |
| liable for any injuries inflicted onto the attacker. | | | | Stun guns or Tasers. |
| Thus, people must be careful about choosing | | | | The stun-gun will incapacitate an attacker if its |
| which devices to carry or use. The main uses of | | | | electrodes can touch the attacker for a few |
| available non-lethal self-protection devices are | | | | seconds at close range. The later models, call |
| discussed below. | | | | Tasers, will fire dart-like electrodes into the |
| Repellents (mace, pepper spray, tear gas). | | | | attackers from a distance, which disables them |
| These sprays are effective at distances of | | | | safely. Neither model will leave lasting injuries or |
| 5-to-20-feet. But the repellent must hit the | | | | after effects. Yet, these device require skill and |
| attackers eyes; otherwise, these devices are not | | | | unlocking steps to use them properly. They are |
| good defenses. Also, these small canisters of | | | | also more bulky and more expensive than most |
| pressurized spay must be retrieved and activated | | | | other legal self-defense devices. |
| quickly without having to unpack them first, or | | | | However, two fairly new dual-purpose stun-gun |
| having to uncover their safety or trigger-locks. | | | | devices (a relatively small pen-like one and an |
| Impact weapons (club, studded-club, baton, | | | | expandable baton) will discharge a voltage from |
| expandable baton, kubotan, night stick, billy-club, | | | | 100,000 to 900,000 volts at the push of button. |
| flashlight, walking stick, cane, heavy umbrella, and | | | | Summary. The choosing and carrying of small |
| similar implements). | | | | self-protection devices could require more than |
| Handheld clubs are effective defense weapons if | | | | one type to cover the varied defensive situations |
| they can be swung at the vulnerable parts of the | | | | that might occur for an individual. For example, |
| attacker, i.e., swung at the ankle, knee, groin, | | | | during an argument or heated confrontation, a |
| abdomen, elbow, or throat. However, some of | | | | verbal de-escalation technique and a canister of |
| the ninja or martial-art impact devices require | | | | pepper-spray could defuse the situation |
| expert training and licensing before they can be | | | | adequately. |
| carried or used for self-defense. | | | | Yet, if someone is attacked from behind, the |
| Knives (pen or folding). | | | | defender might need a stronger device to break |
| Knives must be retrieved and opened before | | | | the attacker's hold long enough to escape it. The |
| they can be used, which could end up being a | | | | dual-purpose devices that discharge high-voltages |
| delayed or failed action. Also, using a knife on an | | | | at the same time could be most helpful in these |
| attacker is never as easy as the movies make it | | | | kind of situations. Still, to gain the most complete |
| look. It is no easy task for beginners. | | | | overall self-protection, combinations of the |
| Also, a knife can be used against the person | | | | personal alarms and self-defense devices could be |
| carrying it, like a gun can be used on its owner. | | | | required for certain individuals. |
| Yet, a knife can intimidate a potential attacker, or | | | | |