Every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted, and in 2018 over 800,000 people fell victim to aggravated assault in the US. While it’s important to remind ourselves that not everyone is out to get us, it’s equally important to be as prepared as possible for those who are.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 self-defense products that you should be carrying on your person to help keep the bad guys at bay and keep you in control of your personal safety.
Tactical Flashlights
The tactical flashlight could well be the most underrated of self-defense items. Unlike a knife, it’s unlikely to provoke any further aggression when they see you have it in your hand. A tactical flashlight is more than just a light source though, it’s also a sturdy metal object that’s easy to wield.
It’s probably the number one tool against a home invasion before you move on to firearms, and equally effective against an attack at nighttime. A good quality tactical flashlight will deliver enough lumens to temporarily blind your attacker when you shine it in their eyes, and once they’re startled you can either getaway or use it as a weapon.
Pepper Spray
Even the toughest of assailants are going to struggle to continue their misdemeanors with a face full of pepper spray. It’s small, easy to carry, and totally affordable. These days pepper sprays come complete with a built-in alarm and strobe light, so when you use the spray you also draw attention to yourself.
Tasers
Tasers are definitely the most expensive item on this list, but they’ll allow you to immobilize an attacker from up to 15 feet away. Do keep in mind though that a taser gun has to be aimed, so if you’re of a nervous disposition and don’t have any experience shooting, then there’s every chance that you might miss.
Stun Gun
A stun gun will immobilize an attacker with millions of volts of electricity. They’re great because they can be easily carried, concealed, and used. The only potential issue is that more experienced attackers might be proficient at disarming them.
It’s up close and personal so once you know you’re going to use it; you know you’re fighting in close quarters. This makes stun guns an excellent additional tool if you’ve already sat in on some self-defense classes.
Personal Alarm
If whatever reason you’re not comfortable with electrocuting someone, temporarily blinding them, or bludgeoning them with a flashlight, then a personal alarm might be for you.
Unless you’re in the middle of nowhere then a personal alarm will put most attackers off, as it immediately draws attention to where you are and that something is wrong. It is probably best to carry a personal alarm along with another more aggressive self-defense tool though just in a case drawing attention isn’t enough.
Which of These Self-Defense Products Will It Be?
Each one of these self-defense products will prove useful in most situations, so the main question is which would you be most comfortable using in a high-stress situation? As well as carrying self-protection tools it’s equally important to familiarize yourself with self-defense, to better understand the many aspects of an attack and keeping yourself safe.
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