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Welcome to Security Planet! We are a resource offering info, reviews, tips, pics, and deals for Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays, Air Tasers, Mace, Body Armor, Metal Detectors, and alarms for self defense from crime.
Our main areas of focus will include:
Personal Security
Home Security
Home Security Systems
Self Defense Tools
Security Systems
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Areas of personal security will include:
Mace
Pepper Spray
Stun Gun
Tear Gas
Bear Spray
Personal Protection Equipment
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Firearms
Firearms are unlawful to carry, especially when concealed, in most states. Many states have passed laws allowing citizens to obtain permits for concealed carry, but impose conditions and qualifications which must be met before a firearm can be acquired and carried. Firearms are the most lethal legal weapon, and (depending upon the type of ammunition used) may inflict fatal injuries on unintended targets.
If you’re thinking about a firearm for personal defense, make absolutely certain you’re informed about the applicable laws.
And, if you’re considering a firearm for personal defense, definitely plan on seeking out proper TRAINING on safe use, defensive/combat and weapon retention training (keeping an attacker from taking it away from you!), AND practice.
Knives
Knives may be unlawful to carry, depending upon their size and type. Those which are legal to carry are often not very effective as weapons. Knives are difficult to achieve proficiency with, and almost impossible to practice with effectively. Knives require close proximity for use, and thus put you closer to an attacker.
While knives can be very effective as defensive weapons, to be proficient takes professional training and plenty of practice.
Pepper Spray (Oleoresin Capsicum)
Pepper spray is quite effective, if used properly, under certain circumstances.
Many police departments issue pepper spray for use by their officers. Police generally use the same 5% concentration mixture. Pepper sprayers are available to the public in 5% and 15% concentrations in many states.
Other Chemical Sprays
“Tear Gas” (chemically alphachlorocedenphone and generically ‘CN’) is sold in packages intended for use by citizens as a self-defense device. It works by irritating the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and throat. It is fairly effective if sprayed into a “normal” person’s nose or throat or directly into the eyes. Considered by many authorities to be less effective than OC Spray.
Some chemical sprays come in “foam” form
There are hybrid chemical sprays on the market that combine OC and CN, and these are considered by some to be more effective than either agent by itself.
Martial Arts
There are a nearly infinite variety of martial arts which may be learned. Some are intended for defense while others are primarily offensive. Every martial art requires physical dexterity, conditioning, very substantial mental discipline, and lots of practice. To think that you can take a few lessons and pick up a few pointers and be ready to defend yourself is delusional. While martial arts techniques certainly do enable a diminutive individual to defeat a larger, stronger person, success is dependent upon proper execution. This is difficult in the practice environment and often impossible under conditions encountered in everyday activities.
We encourage participation in martial arts; they’re good for you mentally and physically, and constitute outstanding exercise even if you never utilize the techniques. But we discourage the “ordinary person” from relying upon martial arts for personal safety and defense.
Personal Alarm/Siren (or even a simple whistle)
Many types of electronic alarm mechanisms are available – often on key chain attachments – which can be carried and sounded if you find yourself in trouble as a way of attracting attention and discouraging an assailant. Better models produce sound levels above 110 decibels.
As a device, such items are still only useful if kept immediately at hand. If you don’t have it with you, or readily available when assaulted, it won’t do you any good. A positive side is that these devices are not offensive weapons and can’t really be used against you like a can of pepper spray might be, should the attacker take it away from you.
Like virtually all electronic personal defense devices, if the battery is not replaced, it will eventually just be taking up space in a purse or pocket, useful only as a handy object to throw at an assailant.
If you’re considering a “noise maker” as a means of summoning help, alerting passers-by, and discouraging an assailant, we’d suggest you consider a good quality whistle. Extremely loud whistles have no moving parts, no batteries to replace, have little weight, take up little space, cost very little, and can be used while running away from an assailant.
Unlike an offensive weapon, noise-makers don’t require that you be (and stay) within a certain proximity of your attacker to use. You don’t have to “confront” your attacker to use a noisemaker.
Consider, however, that just making noise isn’t enough. If there are other people in the area, yell to get their attention and call for them to help. Yell for them to call the police. 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.
Why your “self-defense strategy” shouldn’t be built around a device:
There are a number of components to building an effective self-defense strategy. While devices may be enough, please review alternative strategies for dealing with an assault:
Most defensive tactics instructors will recommend that you have a multi-tiered strategy for defending against an assault. If one thing fails, try something else. If that fails, try a third technique. The key is to having lots of options.
What you don’t want to do is depend on a single device, ploy, or defense technique to handle any possible assault under any set of conditions.
A well prepared/trained person will have given the potential for an assault a lot of “pre-thinking” and pre-planning.
That well-prepared person will have the confidence that comes from knowing both his/her limitations and strengths, and have a flexible strategy that accommodates varying circumstances and which can best utilize whatever tools or conditions are at hand.
Good preparation for an active defense includes not only simply learning some good defense techniques in a book/classroom, but also practicing the techniques, visualization, role-play training, how to use common items as defensive tools, as well as preventive measures including such things as body language and eye contact in public, how to minimize your risk factors, and create positive mental images of how you will handle, and survive, any type of potential assault.
And, no matter how many techniques you learn, the first rule to avoid an assault is often, “Run!” Even police officers have to be taught that there are certain times when “discretion is the better part of valor,” and it’s wise to pull back and call for reinforcements. The best self-defense strategy is usually:
Escape and Evade!
Resources
There are a number of excellent books on the market at any major bookstore, which can help you devise your personal defense strategy. Most communities also have local martial arts instructors, or even free defense training through the local police department.
Contact the Crime Prevention Unit of your local police department to find out what type of training resources may be available in your area.