If you have kids with you and someone attacks you, I'm all for the lethal options. Save yourself and children, worry about the consequences later. Stay alive.
For any and all other situations here are the non-lethal options:
1. Get a 200 to 500 lumen flashlight.
- The higher the lumens the better it will be at temporarily blinding an attacker. Be careful it can do the same to you. It's bright and it hurts!
- It's metal and can also be used to strike with if the guy (guys) keep coming. Of course then it becomes a semi-lethal to lethal option...
- You can bring your flashlight with you when you travel, even on a plane. So when you get to your destination you have something with you.
- I should add that flashlights come in handy in a variety of situations, many you can't even think of at this moment. Don't leave home without one. At least carry a mini LED on your keychain. Humans rely heavily on site. Darkness can be disconcerting and dangerous, especially to people who are older or impaired in some way, blindness aside.
There are many out there in different sizes and shapes. I suggest one that is at least 200 lumens and made of sturdy metal. It helps to have Dual-Output which means you can use a lower light function for regular flashlight duty. Also check the battery time and type. Make sure the type of battery works for you.
Here are some buying options. Surefire is the most well-known and highest priced so I added a few others to the list as options.
Buy on Amazon:
Surefire E2D LED Defender Dual-Output LED (200 Lumens)
- Virtually indestructible, microprocessor-controlled, light emitting diode (LED) has no filament to burn out or break; two-stage light lasts for thousands of hours
- Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens produces tightly focused beam with enough secondary light to accommodate peripheral vision
- Crenellated Strike Bezel and scalloped tailcap provide enhanced self-defense capabilities
- Rugged aerospace-grade aluminum body, Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized in black
Surefire P2X Fury Dual Output LED (500 Lumens)
- 500 Lumens of High Output for 1.5 Hours; 15 Lumens of Low Output for 46 Hours
- Virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize light output and runtime
- Precision micro-textured reflector creates smooth, optimized beam
- C4 LED technology for extreme brightness
- LED Solid State Power Regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life
- Waterproof
- 3 different operating modes
- Anti-roll face cap
Product Description by Manufacturer: With 600 lumens of blinding light, the ProTac HL is the brightest addition to the ProTac series. The ProTac HL offers the latest in power LED technology and three user selectable modes of operation: high/strobe/low, high only, or low/high. The combination of small size and output from the C4 LED result in one of the brightest tactical personal carry lights for its’ size. Packaged with a removable pocket clip and holster. Case made of 6000 series machined aircraft aluminum with anodized finish. Lens is glass, O-ring sealed to keep out moisture. Optimized electronics provides regulated intensity. Multi-function, push-button tactical tailswitch. One h and ed operation of momentary, variable intensity or strobe mode. 10-tap reprogram to allow selection of three different operating modes.
Olight M20S Warrior Premium R5 Black Tactical Flashlight with Side Switch (320 lumens)
- World-class ultra bright Cree XR-E R5 LED: 320 lumens
- Three output levels:320lumens(4hours), 110lumens(12 hours), 9lm(150hours)
- Side switch to direct access to strobe when power off or select output when power on.
- Throws a beam up to 306 yards !
- Waterproof and shockproof
2. Learn to use a Taser.
Those who have been tasered (no comment) know that it doesn't just hurt, you simply can't move. Or rather, you can't do anything but vibrate with pain and paralysis. You do have to get some simple training, you can't just buy one and expect it to work. They are also expensive. They run around $300 and up. I don't currently have any recommendations. If you need one contact me.
3. Buy some Pepper Spray.
There is a lot to say on this subject. Go to Pepper Spray University and all your questions will be answered.
Pepper Spray is good to have in general since it works well against most dogs. I need to blog about this so stay tuned. The general consensus among pros is that you need to have another option as well. Pepper spray can be great, but it isn't infallible. Someone on drugs or even who has just been sprayed before can ignore the effects. Also, an attacker who has been sprayed may still keep coming even if he can't see. You need to aim for the eyes, be ready to move and even strike with the end of your spray... which is why I recommend kubaton-style sprays. The advantage to these is not only are they metal, refillable and easy to strike with, they also have better safety mechanisms that make it pretty much impossible to spray yourself. That said, watch out for the wind.
You will need to mark the expiration of your spray in your calendar. They have about a 5 year shelf life. Change it out so it works when you need it.
Download Pepper Spray 101 for general info on how PS works.
Download How to Use Pepper Spray.
Here are some buying options...
Buy Refillable Kubaton-Style Pepper Spray on Amazon:
- 10% Oleoresin Capsicum formulation
- Precision machined from aerospace aluminum and solid brass
- Entire unit is o-ring sealed
- Capacity is six, one-half second bursts
- This item is not for sale in certain states
- comes in a variety of colors
- ships free
ASP Palm Defender Pepper Spray
- 10% Oleoresin Capsicum formulation
- Precision machined from aerospace aluminum and solid brass
- Entire unit is o-ring sealed
- Capacity is 3, one-half second bursts
- This item is not for sale in certain states
- comes in a variety of colors
- ships free
You can buy live refills for the Palm Defender, and inert practice spray so you can try it out and see how far it goes which is a very good idea. Or you can buy one of each.
Live Refills for the Key Defender and inert practice spray or one of each.
Product Description: The most popular Sabre style, the 0.54-ounce pepper spray offers a quick-release design giving you immediate access to your defense spray when unlocking a door or driving a car. Its powerful ballistic stream has a range of up to 10 feetand reduces wind blowback. As a result, you can reliably protect yourself in unfamiliar or dangerous neighborhoods and situations from a safe distance. Best of all, Sabre makes a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) with each purchase of a pink pepper spray unit. The pepper spray canister--which is a breeze to carry--includes approximately 25 shots. Sabre products are used by the New York Police Department, U.S. Marshalls, and thousands of police departments worldwide.
(smaller than above version) Sabre .54-Ounce Pepper Spray with Compact Pink Economy Key Ring
- PINK - Economy Key Chain pepper spray supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation!
- Compact - Easy to carry and takes up little space
- Very Effective - 10 foot range with 15 one second shots (3x's more spray) for protection against multiple threats from a distance
- Great Stopping Power - SABRE products are used by the NYPD, US Marshals and thousands of police departments worldwide
- This item is not for sale in certain states
2 Police Magnum OC17 Keychain Red Pepper Spray w/ UV Dye
- 1/2 Ounce Size - Leather Cases
- UV Identifying Dye
- Includes Keyring
- Safety Top
- 2 Per Order
Product Description: Police Magnum OC-17 Pepper Spray offers the most powerful concentration of pepper spray allowed by law. This is the same spray used by police officers. Each unit also includes UV dye for later identification of the perpetrator by law enforcement. The handy unit allows for one hand operation and can be used to provide multiple blasts up to 12 feet away. A suspect will be immediately affected with burning skin, coughing, watery eyes, runny nose, difficulty breathing but will have no permanent injuries. It is both non-toxic and non-flammable. Effective against: muggers, carjackers, rapists, vicious animals, etc.. The included leather cases are made of genuine leather and feature a keychain attachment. 2 per order.
- Features the Mace patiented Flip-Top Safety Cap to prevent accidental discharge.
- Features our exclusive finger grip dispenser which helps with accurate aim.
- Attractive dispenser includes key chain for convenience.
- A belt clip is also moulded into the dispenser for carrying and easy access.
- This item is not for sale in certain states
Product Description: The Hot Pink Mace Defense Spray Personal size model is small and compact to fit a women's hand for accurate discharge. The 18 gram unit contains approximately 10 to 20 short bursts with an effective range of 8 to 12 ft.
There are lots of other options. You can always contact me for more info or go to Pepper Spray University.