In the real world not Reel Lady land, I'm known as the girly girl with a tom boy side. I'm also known as the woman other women seek out for gun, holster, and personal defense advice in general. I always want to encourage other women to protect themselves in ways they feel comfortable. I also know not everyone feels comfortable with a gun, and in some events like running outside I still haven't found a great way to conceal & carry.
Recently, I was involved in a conversation among all women, of mixed backgrounds, educations & beliefs about personal safety while exercising alone outside. The woman who initiated the conversation isn't a "gun person," but had several scares while out exercising that had her seeking some sort of protection from animals, or people with ill intent. I came up with a few answers on the fly (which I will include in the following), but I wanted to make a list on the blog and do more research to help any readers who may not feel as comfortable toting a gun around as some of us do.
Pepper spray is one of the most common and widely purchased non-lethal self defense items out there. I have had classes with police officers, and I know others who have been sprayed with pepper spray (willingly), and most say it is quiet disabling, and a hellish ordeal. Pepper spray might also aid in an aggressive dog situation allowing you enough time to evade the dog or find help, but it's probably going to make an unhappy pooch unhappier. However, in Oklahoma the wind does come sweeping down the plains. Pepper spray isn't nearly as effective on an attacker when they are upwind from you. Most likely you'll get a face full of pepper spray and render yourself incapacitated, only aiding an attacker. The above pepper blaster is probably one of the best on the market in my opinion (another winning design by Kimber America), because it will deploy at 90mph up to 13'. It also holds two punches of pepper spray that reportedly disable a person for up to 45 minutes. The design seems handier than it's keychain counterparts and lasts up to 3 years.
I've been around a few stun guns in my day, never taken a hit from one though. I can say the noise alone will send chills down your spine and or scare the holy crud out of you! The not so great part of a stun gun is the close proximity you have to be to an attacker. If an attacker is within arms length of you, then they very well could have the upper hand or disarm you. I'm not a fan of close quarters hand to hand combat (I'm not trained in it & neither are most civillians). They are also not legal in every state, so check your laws before purchasing.
I carry the above flashlight in my purse. Not only is it extra handy to have a small flashlight in my purse, but this one serves dual purposes. Besides lighting the way, it also can be used as a weapon. The edges on either end of the flashlight can cut someone if you hit them head on with the flashlight. I have seen them leave sizable cuts in wood by testing it out. I know I wouldn't want to be hit with it, however I again am not trained at hand to hand combat so this could easily be rendered as useless by a trained attacker.
This seemingly innocent key chain looks like it could really pack a punch. It's something that isn't hard to carry, but completely useful. All women I know have heard to carry keys through their fingers to punch an attacker with, but this keychain gives you more control and leverage without hurting yourself with keys. Definitely something I think every woman should have considering it is affordable, and convenient to carry.
I definitely do not claim to be an expert on self defense, and I personally believe in carrying a gun for self defense because that is what I feel most comfortable with. These are merely starting points for women, or men, who are unsure about self defense, but are interested in starting to learn more about ways to protect themselves. It is also a list of completely affordable non-firearm hand held self defense items, which could easily be taken running, shopping, or to work.
4 comments:
I have and carry a Taser C2, and have had for well over a year, I've ran with it etc. It's light weight has a holster with a belt clip, fits in your typical running pack easily. It will deploy two prongs up to 15 feet that will go through (they say) 5 layers of clothing. The cartridge is removable so you can shoot one attacker, remove the cartridge either reload or you can touch it to the 2nd attacker in a worst case hand to hand scenario. One of the main reasons I have it is I can carry it in your typical 'gun free zones' like schools, banks etc. http://store.taser.com/taser-c2-p116.aspx?gclid=COe7qcn6prUCFRSTPAodDFwASg
I've also seen a recomendation for women to keep wasp/bee spray. It shoots up to 27 feet in a jet spray, is heavier (liquid wise) than pepper spray...little safer to depoy in the house; and some versions foam upon contact which would really freak an attacker out!
Here is a link I used before I bought my Taser: http://www.defenseproducts101.com/statestatutesummary_page2.html
When walking to your vehicle don't be afraid to use the panic button. I've been known to set off my panic button intentionally once I had clear sight of my vehicle...if anyone is lurking around it scares them and they usually get away from your vehicle as a bad guy does not want to be seen or noticed!
Great points Glynn. I've never seen the key chain before but it looks effective. One thing I might add to the list is a medium to large sized dog. Great home companion, early alarm system, running buddy, and the right breed will get in the fight with you should the need arise.
I have that key chain for the times I can't carry and I absolutely love it. I must say I've never seen the Kimber. That's pretty cool. May have to look into that for the daughters. And that bug spray tip....a truck driver told me that's what they carry in their trucks too. I slept with a can next to my bed for years before meeting my husband. Now we have a gun in every room ;)
I can only say that the pepper blaster works great! It's not like a regular pepper spray, it's more comfortable to use and there is no room for mistakes because of the design that prevents you from random discharges. Very recommended.
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