Best way of protecting yourself

[Jack Worf]

I did not mean to diminish your concerns. I'm over 40 myself and I still have to keep a lookout on my father, who's in his 70ies, as I'm afraid he might pull some stunt on me sooner or later.

However, you didn't mention any physical incapabilities in your OP. Therefore I assumed it safe to suggest a physical regiment. Because, no matter how one'd like it color it, it's gonna get physical. And there is certainly no magic wand, be it pepper spray or any other, that will solve it with a single stroke or touch of a button.

I have to admit I've never much concerned myself with things like stun batons or pepper spray. Not even when educating my mother about self defense. I taught her some things about the use of the flashlight and the kermabit, but mostly talked to her about common sense. She still carries pepper spray, though. I just hope I made her realize how much sense of false security and possible selfinjuries that might ensue.

In other words: if/when you realize how important force-on-force training is for combative handgun-shooting, then you'll have no problem recognizing that it's no different with non-lethal SD-tools.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I carry a cane ,pepper spray,flashlight,several knives and a handgun.

 

[19-3Ben]

So far there has been a whole bunch of good advice on here.
I will add one thing.

Let me just say it as it is. I am not Bruce Lee. I am over 40 and getting older by the day. There is no way I can take on a big built 25 year old guy.

This is a big problem, and this mentality is dangerous.

When I graduated college at 22, I was 35lbs overweight, and out of shape. I got sick of it and I decided to do something about it. I lost the weight, and I've had slight ups and downs since then (5-10lbs more or less), but nothing really significant in terms of actual weight. What I HAVE done is increase muscle mass and cardiac stamina since then. I am 29 and in better than at any point previously in my life. I coach soccer to 14-16 year olds, and in training, I can always outrun my kids in speed and distance.

I'm not saying this to make anyone feel badly, or to brag, and I do realize that staying in shape at 29 is much easier than at 40, but it is an example of age not meaning that one HAS to "lose it." I have a friend who is 68 and is stronger than I am. While he couldn't hold pace with me in an 8 mile run or anything, pound for pound, he's stronger than most guys my age. Why? because when he was 50yo he realized he had let himself go and decided to do something about it. He hits the gym 5 times a week, lifts, takes long walks etc...
Now this guy is one tough bruiser. At 68 years old, I wouldn't wanna be the guy to try anything with him. He has great physical capacity, and has taken martial arts to learn how maximize on that potential.


Moral of the story, age is really no excuse.* Find a way to get back in shape. It's tough and it sucks, but you can do it. Once in shape, learn how to use your newfound fitness and you'll be surprised what you can do.


*of course, if someone has an impairment/disability it's a different matter.

EDIT TO ADD-
Aside from anything else, anyone who has ever been in a hand-to-hand fight knows how much of an intense amount of energy it requires. The caloric output in a short period is intense, your heart is racing, etc... It's an incredible strain on the system. Being armed, but out of shape you're still in trouble. A weapon wielded by someone who can't put out that massive energy needed to fight is not going to save him.

 

[sgt127]

Clutch chest. Scream. Tip over forehead on the steering wheel, horn blaring. Let arms drop limp to side. Remain motionless. He'll spend months scanning the paper and waiting for a knock on the door.

Option 2 (my preferred choice actually) pepper spray. Good for one on one and clearing a crowd. As soon as you get it, spray some in a paper cup and breathe in a snootful. At least you'll know what to expect because invariably, you will get hit with some blow back if you ever use it.

 

[Valkman]

*of course, if someone has an impairment/disability it's a different matter.

I'm glad you put that in there because at 29 I wasn't afraid of much but at 58 I cannot fight some young big guy anymore. I've had a liver transplant and have bad feet so I will not run and I will not be pounded on. I don't like to say "Well if this happens I'll shoot" but there are lines I draw. I agree with carrying pepper spray for less than lethal situations. A cane is an excellent thing to have with you as are knives and of course a gun if you can.

 

[Hunter2011]

I agree, nothing wrong with going to the gym to improve yourself etc. At this moment I can do 30 more push-ups than what I could manage 8 years ago. So anyone can better himself. But you do get guys that are just good, and usually, from my experience, it is them that does not mind to be confrontational for the slightest reason. I will not be able to win in such a fight. That is that.
My father bought pepper spray for my mother. We tested it and got some blow-back, just a little, very little, it did not even get on us fiscally. But it was bad, even the dog sneezed. So I do believe a direct hit will mean something. But can you always reliably get a direct hit?

 

[Pete D.]

cane

Buy a livestock /stockman's/sorting cane, the kind used to handle cattle. They can be had in wood - heavy 1 inch to 1 1/4 inch hickory - or in UHMW plastic.
Inexpensive.
I have a 36" cattle cane of hickory. It is a formidable piece.
Google is your friend.

 

[Booner63]

From anyone with experience with "Stun Guns", how effective are they? I've heard (from this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcOMhnf38LE) that the actual TASERs - the ranged ones that launch electrodes into the target - are good at incapacitating by disrupting the nervous system, but that the handheld stun-guns with fixed electrodes do nothing but cause pain. Is this true? If so, why is this? My thinking was that since both introduce an electric current into the body, they should both disrupt the nervous system, but hey.
Does the "stun gun" disrupt the nervous system, or does it just cause pain?

 

[Madcap_Magician]

From anyone with experience with "Stun Guns", how effective are they? I've heard (from this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcOMhnf38LE) that the actual TASERs - the ranged ones that launch electrodes into the target - are good at incapacitating by disrupting the nervous system, but that the handheld stun-guns with fixed electrodes do nothing but cause pain. Is this true? If so, why is this? My thinking was that since both introduce an electric current into the body, they should both disrupt the nervous system, but hey.
Does the "stun gun" disrupt the nervous system, or does it just cause pain?

Distance between the probes will determine the effectiveness. With the little stun zappers, you are only getting about 2" or less distance between the probes, which is enough to cause some muscular pain. Additionally, that only lasts as long as the contact with the zapper, and the natural flinch mechanism will mean the person you hit with it will probably only get a tiny zap from it.

Contra TASER, which when well-aimed will land probes about two feet or more apart, and the probes are barbed. The electrical circuit now goes through several large muscle groups, which leads to that incapacitation effect.

That's not saying TASERs never fail, but a good hit with one will always drop someone for the count. If they are experienced or determined, that may be all you get, though the civilian TASER models run on a 30-second shock cycle.

Most common points of failure with the TASER would probably be: one or both probes missing the target, movement of the target dislodging a probe, or probes being fired from too close leading to insufficient probe spread.

 

[Pete D.]

in shape

Hit the gym? Yes it can work, but what about when I am 70?

When you are 70?
Why should that matter? Hit the gym.
Pete (in my 68th year)

 

[Paladin7]

I grew up in a very bad neighborhood and have had occassion in my life to learn some very good lessons... chief among them is...situational awareness, the second is...not acting like a victim.

Being very aware of what is going on around you all the time is something most people in our emasculated society just don't know how to do, so when they encounter one of society's predators, they easily become prey.

Not acting like a victim is a bit more tricky...some people just naturally have it, most don't. The way you carry yourself around people and how you deal with eye contact has a lot to do with it.

Thankfully, there is only a small percentage of the population that would fall into the category of sociopaths, but they do exist. So, chances are, if you are minding your p's and q's, not going into bad places, and are always aware of what is going on around you, you shouldn't have to worry about too many what ifs.

Also, road rage is a pretty easy one...drive carefully, and if you offend someone say sorry to difuse the situation, even if you are convinced it was not your fault. Better to swallow your pride, than get hurt or killed.

Best advice I can give you is to check out Marc "the animal" MacYoung's site... http://nononsenseselfdefense.com/

There is a ton of very good information on that site and book recommendations that can help a lot.

 

[krupparms]

I use a walking stick when possible, if not then a cane. Someone brought up a handkerchief. These can be carried folded with some metal washers inside . Stick it in a pocket with part of it hanging out, makes a good sap.

 

[GLOOB]

Someone brought up a handkerchief. These can be carried folded with some metal washers inside . Stick it in a pocket with part of it hanging out, makes a good sap.

Check your local laws. Saps are illegal in many states. Sure, it's just a handkerchief and some washers. Or a sock and a cueball. But that's one of the reasons why they are made illegal. They are cheap, silent, and disposable, which has historically made them popular with criminals.


Officer: Do you have any weapons on you?

You: No.

You better hope he doesn't search you and that he buys your explanation of just coming back from the hardware store.

You: Yes.

Admitted that your handerchief + washers is intended as a weapon, making it a sap/blackjack.

A change purse with a sturdy string closure might be a little more discreet. When asked what it is, you can say, "about 12 bucks!" Too bad we don't have any lead coins.