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.

[nofishfisherman]

When it comes to the stress of the situation remembering your self defense training and remembering you have pepper spray in your purse can have the same pitfalls. If you panic neither will work, if you don't panic both can work.

Self defense courses and a lot of practice is in my opinion the best way to go. With enough drilling and repetition it becomes second nature and you recall it without thinking, its just reaction. It sure beats having to find the spray in your purse and there is no way it can be used against you.

I have a cousin who spent some time in the Marines and has gone through their self defense courses. One weekend we had a family gathering a while after he left the Marines and one of my uncles came up behind him just to surprise him. Well that training kicked in and my cousin acting purely on instinct flipped my uncle over his back and held his arm ready to break it if need be. It was just reaction after being surprised.

Of course that sort of reaction only comes after years of training but your average person should be able to learn and recall some sort of defense technique when needed if they put in the time.

[GatorBait]

Scoot,

You can use the sabre sprays on multiple occasions as long as it doesn't go past the expiration date, you will be fine. Always want to chk the amount though, if it's used, normally it'll be used a great amount. They base their usage on 1-2 sec burst spray intervals. If I'm being attacked, it's gonna spray until it can't spray no more.

[Big A]

Scoot,

+1 on Gatorbait's post.

watch the expiration date on the can. I tell everyone that is gonna use it to empty the thing all over your target. Plain and simple. POUR IT ON !! lol

SABRE is excellent and with the low price... its easy to just get another can when needed.

Dont keep it past expiration. And get a new can if its less then half full.

Its easy to train yourself with mace. Once your comfortable with how its used. Practice holding it in a ready position and or finding it in your purse. I recommend carrying it in the ready position anytime you may feel its needed or you want that extra piece of mind. make it habit.... always... also..

Start mentally preparing yourself for an encounter. Close your eyes and actually imagine its real.. trust me.. your brain doesnt know the difference. At least 5 times per day use the mental imagery method for over a week... then just think it through once or twice every day.. this is extremely easy to do folks. I am not talking 30 mins here... I am talking 3 - 5 mins max per time.. but you MUST be completely focused on the event. Once you do this... UNDER STRESS.. your brain will react the way you have trained it to react. and in the case of MACE... that is to simply remember its there. remember how to use it. Where to find it. and how to defend yourself with it.

MACE is simple..

actual SELF DEFENSE... is a completely different deal and involves much much more.

Thanks Dtro and Neighbor_guy

[fishinfey8]

Steve - well put. Ya i agree mace is the best option, however Northlander makes a very good point that women never know where a little can of mace is...a purse is like a never ending junk drawer or like an energizer battery. Just keeps going and going and going and going, plus they have like 20 of them...I bought some for my g/f and its no where to be found. If I wanted her to carry it on her 24/7 I would have to buy her 20.

[Big A]

I also know that no amount of training can counteract the nature of someone who is hopelessly easy to fluster.

With respect Steve. I fully understand what your saying in the rest of your previous post.

The part I qouted you on is the only part I honestly do disagree with.

I firmly believe anyone can train themselves out of being someone who is hopelessly easy to fluster.. I see it all the time. It may take more work and extra effort then others. But it can be done.

[cliffy]

I got to go with Big A on this one. I just so happen to be a trainer (firearms/law enforcement) and have a significant amount of experience in this area.

A person can train all they want...but its got to be quality training. As a trainer, I like to train people under stress but its impossible to duplicate the stress someone feels when they actually believe they are about to be seriously injured or killed. Its mental and physical combined to the point of being muscle memory and automatic reaction. Some people learn faster than others but I think everyone can get to the same point.

Pepper spray is a good thing but does not work in all conditions/situations. I have seen guys walk right thru the stuff with little to no reaction. Tasers are also good but again, they dont always work. Training in the martial arts is wonderful but you got to be well trained and ready to go hands on. Its one thing to train with a partner, knowing you are not going to get seriously hurt...and its a completely different thing when you find yourself fighting for your life with a complete stranger. I think its a combination of things, plus being confident in yourself, aware of your surroundings and not taking risks. Don't make yourself into a easy target, hold yourself up, keep your head on a swivel and be prepared.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Big dog cures a lot of problems. As an added bonus besides keeping bad guys away the get rid of any bunny/stray kitty/critter problems she may have.

[caughtacase73]

I have used mase as well as a taser and have had both used on me. They both have a time and a place. With any product it is important to know the user and understand what they will be comfortable with. As previously mentioned, those products can easily be used against you.

Cliffy makes a good point about avoiding situations. A good self-defense class will not only teach you some moves to use in a situation (if remembered or not) but will also teach you thinks to look for, warning signs, and things one can do to help avoid getting into a OH [PoorWordUsage] stress level situation.

[swamptiger]

A friend of mine was an MP in Vietnam. His job was to go out into the "sin city" outside the base, and round up troops to bring back so they wouldn't be AWOL. He said a shot of mace in the face would usually turn the biggest, meanest, toughest, guys into puppy dogs..

In the rare event the mace didn't work, he carried a nightstick for backup..

[delcecchi]

There was a case some years ago in the twin cities where a 2nd dan black belt got killed by a fat kid with a screwdriver who wanted to steal his ford maverick. I think the belt was in tae kwon do. As I recall the kid was only like 13.

There is probably a point in there somewhere. Not sure what it is.

[CRAZYEYES]

I've been maced at a concert when I was about 17 and although not the most pleasant thing I could have fought through it. It feels worse about 2 minuites after you get shot with it. Martial arts are great and all but you still have to have power to stop a 200 pound thug. I would probobly get a taser or a gun. If you want to stop someone make sure it works. Get something manageable though, my stepmom is a probation officer and she carrys a 38 snubnose but I've seen her shoot it and she can barely control it because she flat out is not strong enough to deal with the kick. Best to avoid problems but people suck so its good to be ready.

[upnorth]

I would think mace and a siren/whistle in a pocket or carried in hand would be the best option. If a woman has to go digging through her purse to get to the mace or whatever it may be waaaay to late by the time she finds them. A spray of mace and then the whistle or siren and think most would bug out. Or even the siren first, depending how close and the temperament of the attacker it may pizz them off and make it worse if they can get their hand on her.