The Effectiveness of Non-Lethal Self Defense

When we talk about non-lethal self defense we imply that whatever means we use to defend ourselves will not cause death. When something is lethal it is ‘deadly’, which implies, by contrast that it may cause death.

Ironically non-lethal self defense can sometimes kill, but essentially the intention is not to do any type of grievous bodily harm – rather to protect oneself (or other people) from harm.

Non-lethal self defense takes many forms ranging from the use of various proven self defense techniques to the use of a range of highly effective self defense products. Unlike ordinary firearms (guns, rifles and so on), non-lethal self defense weapons – including any type of non-lethal self defense gun – are designed and used to incapacitate people while minimizing fatalities and any permanent injury. They are also not intended to damage property or the environment.

In instances where supposedly non-lethal weapons have killed or seriously injured people, it was generally found that either the person handling the device:

• used it incorrectly or improperly,
• did not have the proper personal safety training to be able to use the particular device,
• did not realize that the person the device was aimed at had some sort of health problem (or problems) that was unintentionally exacerbated.

Different types of non-lethal weapons use different types of technology, specifically:

• kinetic energy, which is related to or caused by motion,
• electrics or electronics,
• acoustics or sound, and
• chemicals of some kind.

Non-lethal weapons that use kinetic energy include rubber and sponge-tip bullets as well as batons. Those that employ forms of electrical technology include every type of stun gun, from the most powerful stun gun to the mini stun gun, even the stun gun Taser and stun batons. Personal security products that employ sound range from whistles and sirens to every possible type of personal security alarm and personal alarm systems available. Those that employ some form of chemicals include all the different types of self defense pepper spray and other types of self defense spray, including tear gas (sometimes a combination of pepper spray and tear gas).

While many different types of non-lethal weapon are available to the man and woman in the street, not all are. Some are manufactured specifically for use by the police and other law enforcement agencies and organizations.

Hot pepper spray and stun guns are two of the most common non-lethal self defense weapons used by civilians throughout the United States and in many other parts of the world. Both are designed – in different ways – to give you the time to break away from an attacker and escape to safety.

Whichever type of personal alarm or self defense weapon you opt to use, it is essential that you know how to use it correctly. You also need to be sure that whatever you are carrying is legal. The laws and regulations do vary in different countries and even in different parts of the USA.

You should also consider some type of personal protection training or personal self defense classes to be fully prepared in the event of a surprise assault or attack.