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Using Commonplace Objects for Self-Defense
Being resourceful can often save your life if you find yourself in trouble. Due to the popularity of pepper sprays, personal alarms and stun guns, we often overlook the possible uses of everyday items as potential weapons for fending off attacks and escaping violence. But relying too much on these items can be problematic. You won’t always have access to them, or your attacker might take it from you, rendering you weaponless, but not necessarily defenseless, if you are able to improvise.
Almost everything around you can be used as a weapon, but to be able to use them, you have to recognize their serviceability. Attending self-defense seminars and workshops that can teach you how to use common objects as improvised weapons can increase your ability to recognize potential weapons in your surroundings. In addition, since information is a very powerful tool for defending one’s self, the more you know, the more you can effectively use these items. Not only will you be able to increase the damage your attacker will incur, you can also minimize your risk of getting hurt more than necessary.
If you are outside, you can use sand, coins and hot coffee by throwing them on an attacker’s face to maximize their damage in lieu of pepper spray. Objects with pointed ends like hair pins or hair sticks, stiletto shoes and pens can be used to jab at the soft parts of your attacker’s body like the eyes, the throat and if you apply enough force can also cause damage on the hands, arms and belly. Rocks and shoulder bags can be used to hit your attacker, just don’t throw these items and hope they connect.
And if you are ever attacked inside your house, use everything around you to defend yourself. Almost everything is a potential weapon in your kitchen, knives are very effective when used to cut and stab, just make sure your attacker does not take it from you. Boiling water, soup or any hot and steaming dishes can be thrown against your assailant if he is close enough, or on the floor to delay his approach. Wooden cutting boards, rolling pins, pots and pans, glasses, plates, sharpening steels, bottles and coffee makers can be used to slam or stab your assailant on his face, head and other parts of his body.
In your bedroom, you can use your table lamp, the hardcover book you are reading, your pillow and even your blanket. Some of these items might not actually cause real harm on your assailant but can be used effectively to distract him and give you that needed moment to find much more damaging objects or to escape.
There are other objects not mentioned here, found inside and outside your house, in your office, in the street, in parks and in other places you visit, that you can use to defend yourself. The key to effectively using them in your defense is in being observant and in never dismissing the possibility of these objects becoming useful to you.
Tips on Using Pepper Sprays Effectively
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Pepper spray is one of the most common self defense weapons used by women to repel assault and violent attacks. Its main ingredient is Oleoresin Capsicum, an inflammatory agent commonly associated with chile peppers. To ensure maximum damage delivered against your attacker, buy pepper sprays rated at three million to five million Scoville units.
Buy disguised pepper sprays that can be hidden in plain sight, there are many spray dispensers shaped as lipsticks, pagers and pens. Aside from giving you the leverage of surprise against your attacker; you won’t have to hide it giving you easy access, allowing you to use it in no time at all.
Pepper sprays work best when it comes in direct contact to an assailant’s eyes and nose, so aim for these areas. It can cause major irritation in the eyes that may result in temporary blindness and when inhaled can cause severe coughing fits. These will incapacitate your attacker, giving you the time to escape or call for help.
However, be aware that the effects of pepper spray can also affect you, if used the wrong way, and can render you helpless and unable to protect yourself. Once you used it against an attacker, quickly dodge sideways to avoid any spray hitting your own face. But in order to really minimize any chance of your spray back firing and to help you use it correctly and quickly, the best thing you need to do is practice. Practice drawing pepper sprays from places most accessible to you, in a keychain, on your belt, in your purse or in your pockets until you can do so in the least amount of time.
Imagine yourself in violent situations and visualize how you can use pepper sprays to protect yourself. It is even better if you practice with a friend, your sister or any family member, use water sprays in lieu of pepper sprays and stage various attacks that might actually happen to you.
Common situations would be getting attacked in parking lots, in the streets while you are walking, in your car or in your apartment while you are opening your door. If you want more professional help in using pepper sprays, attend seminars or enroll in classes that will teach you how. What is important is you get used to using pepper sprays, until using one becomes as normal as breathing or they become an extension of your arm.
Another factor you need to consider when using pepper sprays is that they have limited shots, it is important to know how many shots are in the canisters you buy, so you know when you need to replace canisters that are running low. It is also better if you carry two to three pepper sprays with you whenever you leave your house, so you can have back-up.
On a side note, although pepper sprays are legal in all states, some have restrictions when it comes to carrying and using them. Know your local laws with regard to pepper sprays to avoid unnecessary conflict with the police.
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