Personal defense question

[Scoot]

I've got a friend who is a single gal and she'd like something for personal protection. She's not interested in a pistol, but would consider getting a taser or some other option. Anyone have any good suggestions? If the taser is a good option, please let me know some good makes and models to consider.

Thanks.

[Northlander]

Pepper spray/mase. I got my wife a small one that goes on her keys and a bigger one for her purse. They have to be prepared at all times with it as with anything but they spray a good distance and let me tel ya just what the wind blew in my face when testing one was nasty.

Now my wife tels me she dont know where it is. LOL.

Make sure she has it on her.

A tazer being used means she let the person get too close.

[prov1900]

I don't think that the tazers that are available for the public are anywhere near the level that law enforcement has. That being said, tazers are prone to failure and in the hands of someone untrained they may be even more problematic. Pepper spray is probably a better option. It has a lot more "forgiveness" if you miss.

There is no "perfect" self defense weapon, other than an M4 carbine . If your friend is worried about defense outside of the home, statistics/studies show that attackers target women with low self esteem, i.e. women who don't carry themselves with their head high. The same applies to men, as far as that is concerned. If you appear to be someone that could take care of themselves, i.e. fight, then you will probably be left alone.

My .02, but it does come with some experience to back that up.

[Big A]

ALL tasers are available to anyone, anytime. All you gotta do is open up your wallet and you can carry the exact same taser that Law Enforcement carries.(taser x26) They are sold at gunshops all over the place.. and even online.

that being cleared up. I STRONGLY urge you to consider SABRE self defense mace. SABRE is strong enough that cops in MN are actually banned from using it. It is the #1 choice of the NYPD. IT IS WICKED STRONG STUFF! They sell it in small cans that attach easily to your keychain. the cans are brightly colored so that they can be found quickly under stress or in the bottom of a purse. Also fit into the palm of your hand so that your not making it obvious your holding onto it.

Another awesome feature is that some models come with a practice can that is filled with salt water. It is an excellent way to get familiar with how it sprays without having to use the actual mace itself.

Tasers can fail. Heavy clothing can block the probes. In order for a taser to work both probes need to make a connection. Thus the reason you see Law Enforcement shooting several cartridges into a subject.... to guarantee the connection. The taser x26 is 50,000 volts. A great tool when it works. But only effective to 25-30 ft. Takes a lot of practice... and is designed to engage your target... not spray it and run !!

Thus again... MACE is the best option. You can spray it onto someones face... render them useless... and run like the wind to get help.

Tasers are for trained professionals who plan on engaging the target once the probes connect. Not for people who are looking for self defense.

SABRE is sold at gunshops or online. You can get the keychain sized cans for around $20. EXCELLENT STUFF!

ps.. Cops in MN carry FREEZE +P .. its not as strong as SABRE. But it also doesnt start on fire when they tase the guy.. LOL !

go with the SABRE .. it wont dissappoint.

[fishinchicks]

I'd tell her to take a self defense course. I have done that, and feel a lot more confident walking by myself.

[GatorBait]

I'd rely on pepper spray. I use these almost everday in my job. I would recommend looking at the Magnum Sabre Red Pepper Spray 4.4oz with 10-12ft range. It's the worst thing I've ever had sprayed in my face, I can't even explain it. It works and most have 4yr warranty on them compared to 2yr.

With the taser gun which shoots electrified projectiles towards a subject, they are very nice but for the ave joe can be very pricey. Reliable tasers costs $300 and up, I personally wouldn't put a price tag on my life, but everyone has their own limits. Taser dot com is where I would go to look at one though.

Main thing she would want to remember is always keep distance from an attacker and keep moving and verbalize loud. Both of these products are effective but remember they are temporary and even these may not have an effect on people, you just never know. Hope this helps you out. Let me know if you need any other info, especially if she were to consider her right to conceal and carry.

[shizzy]

how about one of those personal siren doo-hickeys? wear it around your neck, and if someone gets too close she pulls the pin and 120DB of screeching sound?

my issue with tasers, hand guns and pepper spray are

#1 it must be in your hand and ready to be used at all times to be 100% effective.

#2 Must have enough training to use it safely and effectivley

#3 (and the worst) is they can be turned on you. One false step with a weapon and the attacker can grab it from you and use it.

I figure most attackers would rather run away then stand there with a loud screeching siren/alarm attracting all kinds of attention.

[Black_Bay]

I'd tell her to take a self defense course. I have done that, and feel a lot more confident walking by myself.

X2. A self defense course will train you what to do in an attack. A vast majority of people don't know how to react and end up panicing.

[Big A]

k.. but unless you are gonna take a self defense course and practice the things you were taught on a constant basis.. UNDER STRESS .... you are not going to remember anything..

use the mace. Point,shoot,run. simple.

[EBass]

Quote:

k.. but unless you are gonna take a self defense course and practice the things you were taught on a constant basis.. UNDER STRESS .... you are not going to remember anything..

WHAT? I went to the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy years and years ago (Muy Thai). I may not have any of the conditioning I once had, but I still know how to throw a leg kick, knee, elbow, or any other combos we learned. The academy is progressive training. Meaning you hit pads as hard as you can over and over and over and over and over and.....

Where did you get the you're not going to remember anything from? Sure I'm not as strong or as in shape, but to say I won't remember anything is a pretty far stretch. Yes even under stress.

I'm not trying to be mean or anything, just saying I trained and I remember.

[Big A]

UNDER STRESS !!! ... you will not. Guaranteed. Im not talking goof around stress. I am talking OMG MY LIFE IS IN DANGER type stress! REAL STRESS!!! you will not remember. when your brain hits fight or flight mode... its only gonna remember to flee... unless you TRAIN AND PRACTICE constantly!

your training was progressive.. thus you PRACTICED.. but if you dont continue to practice and train... you will lose it.. UNDER REAL STRESS.

Im not gonna argue about it. Just offering some advice.

your basic self defense course is not going to accomplish that.

[RumRiverRat]

Sabre is overrated.

Fox 5.3 is the best OC spray on the market.

It is OC spray not Mace. Mace is a medieval weapon.

A gun is really the best option for person defense.

[Big A]

Didnt Scoot already make it clear that the individual was not interested in a gun?

Yeah... I thought so.

Mace

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mace is a tear gas in the form of an aerosol spray which propels a lachrymatory agent mixed with a volatile solvent. It is sometimes used as a self-defense device. This form of Mace is legal in very few countries, thus its use is becoming uncommon.

The original formulation consisted of 1% CN gas in a solvent of 2-butanol, propylene glycol, cyclohexene, and dipropylene glycol methyl ether. Some formulations now also include Oleoresin Capsicum (active ingredient in pepper spray).

Mace was originally manufactured under the name "Chemical Mace" by Lake Erie Chemical (a former division of Smith & Wesson) in 1962, but is now a registered trademark of Mace Security International. The Mace sold today by Mace Security International is pepper spray rather than tear gas. Many other companies now manufacture similar products.

The effect of Mace varies on humans. Most common is a burning sensation on the area affected with the spray. If in contact with eyes it causes automatic closing of the eyes due to intense pain if open. This along with a feeling of suffocating if inhaled it causes the person to be very vulnerable and dependent, resulting in easy overpowering (for example, law enforcement officials over a suspect). The duration of the effects vary from 30 minutes up to 2 hours, depending on the person and treatment.

During the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Mace was used by the hijackers of American Airlines Flight 11 to prevent entry to the first-class area and keep passengers at the rear of the plane. The official 9/11 Commission Report states that "The hijackers quickly gained control and sprayed Mace, pepper spray, or some other irritant in the first-class cabin, in order to force the passengers and flight attendants toward the rear of the plane.

[Scoot]

Thanks to all who replied. I got the info I needed and appreciate the help.

[upnorth]

Yellow on white, who can read that?

[Big A]

sorry. my screen is black.. has been for so long i forgot that i changed it from white!

[fishinchicks]

Big A, the self defense course I took was more than a one hour-here are the basics-good luck type of course. The good ones should teach you to visualize what you would do in a situation as well as teaching you how to get out of a mess without relying on something you would have to dig out of a purse, aim, and shoot (whether it be mace, taser, or gun). I would say I could easily break your nose and disable you with one knee faster than I could dig out a can of mace. And I'm not afraid to try it.

The Fargo/Moorehead area is a great tae kwon do area, which would also be a good option. The head of the IBBF is up there (they are a part of the World Tae Kwon Do Federation).

[Neighbor_guy]

Quote:

k.. but unless you are gonna take a self defense course and practice the things you were taught on a constant basis.. UNDER STRESS .... you are not going to remember anything..

WHAT? I went to the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy years and years ago (Muy Thai). I may not have any of the conditioning I once had, but I still know how to throw a leg kick, knee, elbow, or any other combos we learned. The academy is progressive training. Meaning you hit pads as hard as you can over and over and over and over and over and.....

Where did you get the you're not going to remember anything from? Sure I'm not as strong or as in shape, but to say I won't remember anything is a pretty far stretch. Yes even under stress.

I'm not trying to be mean or anything, just saying I trained and I remember.

Do you realy want to question a Use of Force and Defensive Tactics instructor??????

I have a feeling he knows a thing or three about this subject.

Just my .02

[DTro]

From what I've seen Big A say on other threads, I have a pretty good idea he know what he's talking about.

Thanks for sharing the info. I know I learned something.

[Big A]

Fishinchicks.

That is exactly my point. You took an in depth training course that gave you the skills to continue to PRACTICE and TRAIN outside of that classroom setting.

Most people dont do that or have that amount of patience/time.

Thus MACE is an excellent OMG IT JUST HIT THE FAN option... I have every single female in my family carry MACE. It is user friendly and does not require as much continued PRACTICE and TRAINING.

[Black_Bay]

I'm just saying a little training is better than tossing someone a can of pepper spray and say good luck.

[Scoot]

Big A, I noticed the SABRE pepper spray is good for multiple sprays. Just curious- can it be used, then stored for a year, then used again? Or, can it be sprayed multiple times in one altercation, then needs to be disgarded?

Thanks again for your input and the feedback from everyone- I appreciate it!

[harvey lee]

YOu don't have to worry fishingchicks, I won't let you beat me up. I'll run, no kicks needed.

[BobT]

I wonder....how likely will a potential victim know the attack is coming before the perpetrator has them in his grasp much less enough time to dig in a purse or pocket for their defensive spray? My guess is that it would be rare that the spray would be obtainable in 99.9% of the attacks.

I could see where having some personal self-defense training could be helpful even after the attack commences and even if the victim is under stress. At the very least it might edge their confidence just enough to save their life. Adrenaline can do some strange things to a person and that person having some background training could allow them to bring it back to the surface rather than tuck it further away.

[Steve Foss]

UNDER STRESS !!! ... you will not. Guaranteed. Im not talking goof around stress. I am talking OMG MY LIFE IS IN DANGER type stress! REAL STRESS!!! you will not remember. when your brain hits fight or flight mode... its only gonna remember to flee... unless you TRAIN AND PRACTICE constantly!

your training was progressive.. thus you PRACTICED.. but if you dont continue to practice and train... you will lose it.. UNDER REAL STRESS.

It's not that simple. Some people are much more calm under stress as part of their nature than others. I've seen situations in which untrained people acted calmly and defended themselves when attacked unexpectedly. I also know that no amount of training can counteract the nature of someone who is hopelessly easy to fluster.

That being said, I agree with your basic premise, which is that training and continued practice is the best way to be prepared for stressful self-defense situations. You just made your statement so strongly that you didn't allow for any exceptions.

[fishinchicks]

YOu don't have to worry fishingchicks, I won't let you beat me up. I'll run, no kicks needed.

Haha! You don't attack me, I don't kick.

Funny story...about 10 years ago hubby was supposed to attend a two day meeting. The group he was with decided it wasn't worth it to stick around for the second day, so they headed home pretty late. He called from a phone in town to let me know it would be him walking into the bedroom at 2 am. He didn't want to experience what I had learned.