What's the most efficient way for a woman to expand her private safety? Research the best self defence martial art? Learn self defence online? These are good options, but they aren't as fast as purchasing a self-defense gadget. Self-protection widgets aren't typically dedicated weapons, they are improvised weapons that are legal to carry.
Improvised weapons are common items that serve a practical need, and can be used for self-defense in an emergency. There are many commercially available products. As a professional instructor, I counsel females to focus on keyring devices unless you wish to pursue serious coaching or get a weapons permit. A keyring is something every adult has when away from the home.
Here's a brief list of different devices, where to source them and cost, and 1 or 2 Pro's and Con's to each:
Self Defense Ring (as in finger ornament) - ($10, Amazon)
Pro - Adds a point or stud to the hand, which can add power to strikes.
Con - Available just about exclusively in male styles, and the strike will not have enough penetration to stop an attacker.
Self Defense Umbrella - ($100, Amazon)
Pro - Serves a very real purpose and can function as a walking stick as well.
Con - Another item to account for, likelihood of having it in a incident of need are affected by climate.
Keyring Palm Stick (also called a kubatan) - ($10.00, Amazon)
Pro - Proved design, and can be useful.
Con - Adds length to total keyring so it does not fit as well in a pocket or purse.
Kitty Head-type Keyring Devices - ($10.00, Amazon)
Pro - Might make a punch improved with acceptable coaching. Straight jabbing is a non--instintive rather than natural movement.
Con - Little ears have edges that catch clothing and loose items in a purse, full hand isn't supported by the punch.
Keyring Stun Guns - ($20, Amazon)
Pro - Makes an impressive sound and the blue charged arc might scare an attacker..
Con - These put out 6,000,000 volts, which sounds like quite a lot - but does not have much effect. Models that have over 30,000,000 volts can be better, but are larger and don't fit on a keyring. Must be charged to work.
Keyring OC Pepper Spray - ($10, Amazon)
Pro - Will cause watery eyes and affect vision if a threat is hit in the face soon enough.
Con's - Little cannister size doesn't have enough spraying power to hit a threat far enough away to stop him.
EDC-1 Keyring Tool - ($12.95, Self-defense Global)
Pro - Fits nicely in the hand and is very effective with a natural hammerfist-type strike.
Cons - Is currently available through one source, as Self defense Global wants to provide instruction rather than just selling devices.
The last of these devices, the EDC-1, is my proprietary design. I designed it thanks to the deficiencies I saw in other devices females have brought to me over the long-term - but any one of these keyring options will be better than zip.
Another positive is that these devices are so affordable that a few can be bought, and you can test and see which you think is best, without being out loads of bucks. Give yourself more of an edge, at an inexpensive and no annoyance. Try one of the keyring devices and stick with the one you like.
About the Author:
Eric Scott is a Krav Maga Black Belt and creator of Self-defence Global . Self-defense Global offers gear, coaching, and coaching missions for a safer life. He offers a free online course that offers more info than most paid programs.