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Your Best Self Defense Options for Real World Survival

Let’s me get right to the point, you need to know not only what your self-defense options are, but also which ones work best the best for you. You will find your answer within one or more of the three groups I am about to discuss in this article, (1) Martial Arts; (2) Non-Lethal Self Defense Weapons; (3) Lethal Weapons. In this article, I examine each of these categories concerning their practical advantages and disadvantages.

As an ex federal agent, retired military special agent and 35-year martial artist I will give you my honest, reliable answers because I really care about your safety and want you to be as safe as possible and I know what I am talking about from real-world experience. So, let’s get started!

Self Defense Option #1: Martial Arts Training

In my opinion, learning some type of self-defense system is a must. No matter what you plan to add to your arsenal from the other two options, when you learn a martial art your body becomes a dependable weapon that goes with you everywhere. This will eliminate your ever being surprised without having some means to defend yourself. You may not have your firearm, TASER, knife or another weapon on you, but your self-defense skills will always be with you.

Recognizing the importance of learning some sort of fighting skill raises the question, which martial art or fighting system should you choose? Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga…these are just a few of the many self-defense options available to you.

My recommendation would be Krav Maga.

Why?

Because Krav Maga has been proven effective by the Israeli military and now other forces including the Air Force Office of Special Investigations for which I was an instructor, is teaching it. In contrast to Taekwondo (for instance), which relies a lot on kicks and moves that you may not be able to perform as you age, Krav Maga is rather easy to learn with techniques that can be performed by almost anyone.

Despite all the advantages, martial arts still have some downsides. Learning most martial arts may take considerable time and effort to become highly skilled. That’s why choosing one of the other self-defense options I discuss below is still necessary. You need something to defend yourself with now, not tomorrow (TRS offers some great resources for doing this, that can really teach you some practical and easy to learn techniques that can be used almost right away, I know I have used them myself!)

Furthermore, if your attacker is armed, I don’t recommend trying to defend yourself unarmed unless you really have no other choice. Bruce Lee once said: “Showing off is the fool’s idea of glory.”

Self Defense Option #2: Non-Lethal Weapons

Some of the non-lethal weapons I discuss here include things like TASER weapons, stun guns, pepper sprays, sticks, kubotons, and an assortment of others. When you use one of these to defend yourself, you may be able to effectively stop your attacker without killing him or inflicting any significant damage. I will provide a bit more information about each of these weapon choices before I give you my recommendations.

A TASER is a compact, lightweight, non-lethal self-defense device similar to a firearm in shape. However, instead of firing bullets, these weapons use compressed nitrogen to shoot out two electrode barbs (each one attached to insulated conductive wires) into an attacker up to 15 feet away at a speed of 135 feet per second.

The fired barbs will attach to the attacker’s skin or clothes, immediately releasing a high voltage/low amperage electrical discharge that will affect the attacker’s neuromuscular system (these self-defense weapons’ energy can even penetrate up to two inches of clothing), incapacitating him/her while you safely escape. This is definitely easier (and less dangerous) than using any self-defense technique. It is also safer than using a firearm: According to police, TASER devices have a higher instant incapacitation rate than a 9mm handgun.

A second non-lethal option is a stun gun. Stun guns are designed to deliver a high voltage, low amperage electric discharge. To defend yourself using a stun gun you have to hold its electrodes directly against the attacker’s body, which means you have to be much closer to your attacker (this is not recommended if your attacker is threatening you with a knife or hand-held weapon).

When you hold the stun guns’ electrodes directly against the attacker’s skin or clothes, they will deliver a strong electrical discharge that will stun or even knock out your attacker. He/she will experience disorientation, confusion, loss of balance, and inability to move efficiently for a few minutes afterward (with no significant or permanent harm done). This will give you time to escape. Please remember to keep a good battery in your stun gun or TASER.

Stun guns come in many different shapes. Some of them are little “stun boxes” (Mini Stun Guns), small enough to fit inside a cigarette package. Other come as Stun Batons, Stun Flashlights and even Cell Phone Stun Guns (designed to fool your attacker.

Another non-lethal option I will discuss for self-defense is a pepper spray. As an agent, I carried my pepper spray right next to my gun and my ASP baton. I did this so that all my weapons would be on the same side and my muscle memory would not be confused when I had to use my weapons. I have seen the effects of pepper spray on many individuals.

Pepper spray, also known as an OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) spray, is a non-lethal self-defense weapon that consists of an aerosol type container. Its small enough to be carried in a pocket, purse or keychain (you can also find them in rings, lipstick cases, walking weights and other things designed to fool an attacker, adding a surprise factor). When you fire your pepper spray towards the attacker’s face it will immediately expel an oily liquid (insoluble in water) up to 25 feet away (depending on the pepper spray model you choose.)

Be careful, I have had many of my agents spray themselves in the face when the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and also spray their partners who were engaging the attacker. An OC pepper spray will cause 15-30 minutes of temporary blindness, 45-60 minutes of a burning sensation of the skin, 3-15 minutes of upper body spasms (which will force the attacker to bend forward), 3-15 minutes of uncontrollable coughing, and 3-15 minutes of breathing and speaking difficulties.

Overall, the symptoms will last from 15-60 minutes, with decreased effects lasting for hours (I use to laugh when my special agent students would tell me they got another dose of pepper spray when they took a shower after training. All students were required to be sprayed to experience the effects of the spray.) The attacker will be unable to attack, immediately becoming vulnerable. CAUTION be aware that some people are not affected, or as seriously affected by OC spray. I have personally witnessed this.)

Finally, sticks and kubotons (a kubotan is a self-defense keychain weapon typically no more than 5.5 inches long and about half an inch in diameter, slightly thicker or the same size as a marker pen. The material is usually of a hard high-impact plastic and is one of the easiest self-defense weapons to use you will ever find) are effective weapons as well. The good thing is that a stick like weapon can easily be acquired. But learn to use one effectively. I laugh when I see people carrying sticks when I am out walking my dog. They probably have no idea how to use it, and it would probably be taken away by an attacker and used against them.

Out of TASER devices, stun guns, pepper sprays, stick, which one would I recommend? Choose a TASER device or OC pepper sprays whenever you can. Both are really effective, even when you are dealing with drugged individuals, and you can keep a safe distance between you and your attacker. But stun guns and stick are still good enough if you see yourself involved in armed combat. In such cases, both will surely give you the necessary edge you need to survive.

Self Defense Option #3: Lethal Weapons

When I speak about lethal weapons, first let me stress that I am not advocating for or recommending that you carry a lethal weapon. And if you do, do so legally. With that out of the way, included in this group are both pistols and rifles. Many people consider these as their self-defense method of choice. Is it OK to do so? Well maybe!

Firearms are an effective way to defend yourself and your loved ones with, no doubt about it IF you know how to use one. Guns are designed to seriously wound or kill your attacker, not to incapacitate him or her. So be ready to deal with that. Also, if your attacker has a firearm, there will likely be a gunfight, which could put others at risk. And, you could end up in court, possibly for involuntary homicide.

Be aware that unlike television often depicts, even if you hit your attacker he may still pose a threat as long as he can still fire at you. So, if you have to kill him (you might have to if he keeps pulling the trigger), you will have to legally prove that you used a “reasonable amount” of force to defend yourself or your loved ones (which isn’t always that easy). This might mean months of emotional and economic efforts on your part.

The other lethal weapon I want to speak on is a knife. I train in an art that emphasizes the use of a knife for defense. Let me tell you, I have seen the results of knife attacks, and I fear them even more than a gun. If you decide to use one for your self-defense, I recommend you get at least some basic training. Why? Because if you don’t know what you are doing, you could end up harming yourself, and your opponent may take it away from you and use it against you.

Conclusion

So, based on all that I have discussed in this article I have given you several things to think about and some options to choose from. Your self-defense options include martial arts training, non-lethal self-defense weapons, and lethal weapons. I would recommend being totally prepared by choosing something from all three options.

However, if you are totally against the lethal option (be aware, the bad guy isn’t though), then the first two option should be your choice. I would NEVER recommend you rely on just your body for self-defense. But should your weapon be taken away, or you don’t have a weapon handy (just about anything can be turned into a weapon BTW, just check out my improvised weapons DVD) you have to be prepared to use your martial arts training to defend yourself.

No matter which self-defense option (or options) you choose, don’t you ever forget that self-defense is your legal right. Protect yourself and your loved ones as best you can. Follow this advice and be prepared for potential future threats.

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11 thoughts on “Your Best Self Defense Options for Real World Survival”

  1. How true this article is. There isn’t any one solution to self defence. The better prepared you are the better the odds that you will walk away unharmed. I agree that if you must use lethal defense it’s best to shoot to kill and don’t stop shooting till the threat is eliminated. That’s what they teach you in C/C (concealed carrying training). But you best be ready to obtain a good lawyer. Needless to say lethal defense should be your absolute last resort.

  2. You mentioned taser guns. Do you sell them. I would be interested in learning more and would also be interested in purchasing one for me and one for my daughter, different address.
    Thanks

  3. All useful advice, especially the bit about having to explain yourself legally for your self-defence options.
    I have been in court twice after I was attacked, the first time I broke an attackers arm, but I am qualified in martial arts and as such, I am a lethal weapon legally. As I used my training against a legally untrained man, I was in trouble although I was the victim at first. The conflict earned me a record and a hefty fine, I was told I was fortunate not to have been sent to prison. It was deemed that at my skill level a less violent method of defending myself was available.
    The second time I found myself in trouble with the law I was attacked by two men, both armed with knives. I took a knife from one of the attackers and left him bleeding from a wound to his elbow that he was obligated to hold tight or bleed out. I then used the knife on his companion and left him on the ground holding on to life. I did the right things, I called an ambulance, offered first aid and I called the Police.
    I was charged because the knife I took off of my attacker was bigger than the other attacker had and you can only legally use equal to or lesser force. I had an advantage on two levels, firstly I had the superior weapon, secondly, I had superior skills. I gave my attacker the chance to lay down his knife and walk away, he did not, I had to pay another very large fine and I was told the next time I ended up in court I would be sent to prison. I have not bothered to call for an ambulance or call the police since. Now, if I put down an aggressor I clean the scene and leave. I know it makes a bad situation worse, but it gives me a chance or avoiding prison, doing the right thing guarantees I will end up behind bars.
    My advice is to be damn certain you have no retreat options, especially if you are ex-military or a registered martial artist.

  4. Good advice. An important element of any kind of self-defense method, and maybe the most difficult to communicate or impart, is that one must develop a kind of righteous fierceness or seriousness of intent (NOT brutality). Without this, you will be a joke to any real predator-type. If you emanate timidity, brandishing a weapon is not enough… a bad guy will simply laugh, snatch it , and use it on you, as Derek Smith says. You should consider the effect a technique or weapon will have on a person, and don’t expect your opponent to be intimidated just because you produce a weapon. Example: rather than call out, “Get back! I have pepper spray!”, you are probably better off deploying it unobtrusively, and simply squirting the guy in the face.

  5. Very well said Derek information spot on but here in AU we are not aloud to have any of those Weapons but it dose not stop Him or Herself from having such a weapon.

  6. Check your opponent against your surroundings and go from there, great advice. Start small, finish big.

  7. I participated in a couple of edged weapons seminars with Tom Sotis about 25 years ago, as part of a mixed salad course of study. He explained that knives are the most dangerous close quarters weapons and that two skilled fighters are subject to a 50/50% chance of a mutual kill. It was fairly unanimous amongst the participants that this was not good. Run away or fire a gun, although surprise and speed can be used with limited success in disarming. I like your summary that pepper spray and Tasers are the best non-lethal tools. I can no longer outrun an assailant.