You’ve watched CSI and Law and Order and now you’d like to be a little better prepared to protect yourself. Are there “smart” ways to do this or could you possibly just get in more trouble?
The local Triad group – a partnership of citizens and law enforcement – tossed around some of these ideas. Colin Callister had found a small flashlight that also had a siren in it. He suggested that it was great to use when unlocking your door, but also the siren could be turned on if you were in danger. Colin suggested that if you were attacked, you could throw the siren/flashlight away from you and run in the opposite direction. Another idea would be to throw your purse or whatever the attacker was trying to get in one direction while you ran in the other.
The pros and cons of defense devices are discussed on the University of Oklahoma Police Department’s website. They explain some may be effective and some “are junk”.
Don’t put too much trust in a device. If you don't have it handy, your whole plan of defense crumbles. And you may have lost “precious moments” that you could have been using to escape or trying another method.
Other “preventive measures” include body language and eye contact. But the “first rule to avoid an assault is often, ‘Run!’ The best self-defense strategy is usually: Escape and Evade!”
Although the Cannon Falls Police Department does not endorse any devices mentioned, Interim Police Chief, Rich Wisniewski gave these tips: Be alert. Park in well-lighted areas. Walk with groups, even if you don’t know the people. Make sure you have proper training when using any device. Don’t become reliant on any device because it may not work the way you expected. Always have a “Plan B”.
Practice how you would be able to get to your device in a critical situation. Would a whistle be better served in your purse, or around your wrist when you are out alone. Is your whistle Plan B or plan A?
Thinking these ideas over, I realized that not all the defense weapons would be comfortable for me. So I decided to check out some local folks who carry many of these devices in their normal work... police officers, David Timm and Mitchell Althoff. They figured they carried about 30 pounds of gear to protect themselves or others.
And I was reminded that with all this extra gear they are still expected to be able to run after someone fleeing in tennis shoes!
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Pros and cons of defense devices - University of Oklahoma Police Department
Guns… check the laws applicable. Consider the amount of training and regular practice needed. “A weapon” in the hands of an unskilled user “is at least as dangerous to the user as it is to an attacker.” Also, consider that unintended targets could become victims… like children, etc. Electrical-shock based devices … those mainly available to police and corrections officers are reported to be effective in some circumstances”. But it may mean that you have to be close to the attacker and the point is to get you AWAY from the attacker! Another difficulty is if it doesn’t work… it just makes the attacker “very mad”!
Chemical Weapons (aerosol, stream, foam, etc.) may take some time to take effect or they can be affected by wind, cold weather and its shelf life. Some people “under the influence of drugs or other problems may not be affected or just more irritated. Also, they affect everyone in the area! And they have to be ready. You probably won’t have time to get it out of your purse or pocket.
Martial arts training is encouraged for exercise, both mentally and physically. But the ordinary person might be better off not relying on it except for “escape and evade” tactics.
Personal Alarm/Siren may be good if you have it “in-hand”. Another point in their favor is that they won’t be used against you if the attacker got them! But the battery has to be working to use it. They suggest using a simple whistle. This can draw attention. It takes up little space, and “can be used while running away from an assailant.”
The good thing about noise-makers is that they don't require you be near the attacker to use it.
Your voice “… yell to get … attention… Even yelling at an non-existent passerby to call the police (‘Hey, YOU! Call the police!’) may make your attacker pause to look, giving you a chance to gain distance and get away.”
Remember, have many techniques to defend yourself. Keep on trying things. And prior to getting into such a situation, “develop sound personal security habits, maintain awareness, and project an appearance of confidence.”
