Part of the myth and mystique of the ninja involves their ability to fly, scale walls or travel huge vertical spaces seemingly without a lot of effort. This physical prowess of the ninja has made them very popular mythical figures.  But have you ever wondered how they really travel from one distance to another?  Many modern-day ninjas can tell you but they don’t necessarily need to have superpowers.  The answer to their seemingly superhuman ability actually lies in a simple tool – the ninja grappling hook.  If you’ve always wanted to unleash the real ninja in you, this is an important gear to have.

What is the grappling hook?
The ninja grappling hook is a tool made from metal.  It usually has three or four hooks arranged in a circular fashion for balance.  The hooks have one handle, which is attached to a rope.

The ninja grappling hook is used to scale vertical obstacles such as walls, rocks, concrete or trees.  They were traditionally used by ninjas to help them transfer from one location to the next, usually to climb up or down with the use of the attached rope.

Uses
The grappling hook is not just for ninjas alone.  They also have many practical uses for rock or mountain climbers, hikers, adventurists and even the military.  Grappling hooks can, for example, be used to move distant objects or create makeshift bridges across deep chasms or crevasses.  They can also be used to attach to objects and drag them from one place to the next.

Buying the ninja grappling hook
When buying the ninja grappling hook, look for a steel make.  This will help ensure solid stability and longevity of the tool.  After all, what’s a real ninja if the hook gives due to corrosion in the middle of a climb?

Inspect the length and material of the rope attached to the hook as well.  In general, ropes are made of nylon, which is sufficiently strong and can hold up to a few hundred pounds of weight.  Look for a good length as well.  Most retailers offer ninja grappling hooks with at least 30 feet of rope.  If you need a longer rope, you could purchase additional length and attach this instead.

Using the ninja grappling hook
To use the grappling hook, hold the tool firmly by the end of the rope nearest the end of the hook.  Swing this rope around until you obtain a sufficient momentum.  When you’re ready, you can release the hook so that it reaches and attaches to your target.

An important thing to remember: always practice on using the ninja grappling hook.  You have to be confident enough to use it efficiently and safely so that when you truly need it for an emergency, it won’t fail.

ninja grappling hook image

There are three things you should look for buying spy gadgets: stealth, convenience and automated use.  A great spy gadget should be able to work for you in places where it’s otherwise difficult to operate a standard tool and work for you even if you’re physically unable to. If you want a good set of surveillance tools, here are the top 3 spy gadgets you should consider buying:

Spy pen
The spy pen looks like an ordinary pen but it has a built-in camera.  It can be concealed so easily, whether worn on a shirt pocket or hanging from a purse or it could be placed on everyday objects such as chairs, desks or cabinets without anyone suspecting anything. It’s excellent for any undercover assignment or for recording in real time.

Spy pens are wireless spy gadgets that can transmit color images on video.  To record images, you can attach the pen’s receiver to a VCR.  Spy pens work within a limited radius, from about 250 ft. to 500 ft. for some models.

Keychain digicam
A keychain digicam is a digital camera disguised as a keychain.  That’s right – a keychain.  It’s so small and unobtrusive that in case you need to take photos or record video images, you could use it without really making a big fuss out of it.  It works with just one AAA size alkaline battery, producing as many as 400 pictures, provided you skimp on picture quality and resolution. This is the perfect spy gadget if you need to take short video clips only.

The keychain digicam also works as a webcam.  It’s so small that you don’t even have to pack it to bring it along.  Just hang it from your purse or backpack or with your car keys.  It’s also digital, which means you can keep photo and video images as electronic formats.

Most keychain digicams also come with photo editing software, in case you need to refine some shots.

Motion sensor phone
The motion sensor phone is another terrific spy gadget, a perfect tool for keeping tabs on the safety of your own home. It’s a telephone, a microphone and a motion detector all in one cool gadget.  It’s a perfect alternative to hidden cameras for your home, capable of detecting any intrusions in case you’re away.

The motion sensor phone looks and functions as an ordinary telephone, except that it’s built with a sensor that detects motion to within a specific range.  If it’s tripped, the sensor will activate the device, dial a pre-programmed number that you set and turn on the microphone so you can listen in.  If you decide that the intruder is a potential burglar, you can then dial the police.

The motion sensor phone is one of the top spy gadgets to get, mainly because it works well, is relatively cheap and don’t require noisy alarms or monthly fees.

spy pen image

The ninja is a very popular image and personage in both myth and history.  Other than the romance associated with the ninja’s legendary abilities, there is also a huge interest in the ninja’s gears.  Some of its most popular are the ninja hand claws, considered an efficient yet lethal tool for a skilled person to use for personal safety and self-defense.

What is a ninja hand claw?
The ninja hand claws are one of a select few tools that are readily referred to as ninja gears.  They are worn individually around each hand.  They are slipped over the fingers and are fit snugly around the palm.  The claws are designed securely over the grip so that it faces outward from the knuckles.  The claws face downward for a proper grip.

The strap is usually made of strong fabric, although some manufacturers may prefer to use leather. Straps are adjustable, so they fit most sizes.

Ninja hand claws are often referred to as shuko.  When buying them, keep the following considerations in mind:

Sharpness of the claws.  One common complaint among users is that ninja hand claws aren’t always sufficiently sharp.  Check if yours are indeed sharp enough.  You might have to sharpen them yourself if necessary.

Comfort.  Some ninja hand claws are made with a single piece of metal.  They can be uncomfortable once you close your hand to form a fist.  Before buying a pair, try them on to determine if you can use them without any problems.

Local regulations.  Not every state allows the purchase and/or use of ninja hand claws.  Check if your locality has restricting regulations.

Uses of the ninja hand claw
The ninja hand claw is a type of ninja gear that has been used traditionally for climbing walls, trees and other obstacles.  It can also be very effective for scaling rock faces (provided the ninja hand claws are sharp and strong enough) and for ice climbing.

Since the claws are sharpened and curved, they can be used to bore holes on a wall so the climber can get a sufficient grip.  They are usually paired with foot spikes to obtain sufficient stability during the climb.

For personal safety, ninja hand claws are also very important self-defense gears.  They may seem like specialized tools and if you are a beginner inexperienced in their use, you may feel overwhelmed or less confident.  However, ninja hand claws are actually similar to brass knuckles in terms of use.  They also rely on your ability to swing or throw a punch.

Unlike brass knuckles, though, ninja hand claws contain sharp hooks.  They can, for example, tear or puncture skin.  They can have frighteningly strong stopping power and in the hands of a skillful and confident user, they can be very efficient personal safety gears indeed.

Ninja Hand Claws image

Spy gears are getting smaller these days and they’re also becoming much easier to hide.  Spy gadgets can now be camouflaged as ordinary objects – lipsticks, stuffed toys, mobile phones, etc.  Some, such as the keychain digital camera, can seem like useless toys but are in fact, very effective as spy gadgets.  The keychain digital camera has functionalities and features that can rival the full-sized version – plus, it’s easy to hide and is quite useful for spy activities.  It also doesn’t hurt that it’s a cute spy gadget.

What you can expect
The keychain spy camera ranks high not just in terms of cuteness but also in features.  It’s a digital camera, which means it doesn’t require film in order to work.  Depending on the model you purchase, you could shoot a minimum of about 20 photos on some and around 80 to about 100 on others.

The number of photos you get to shoot will also depend on the settings, which means that using optimized settings will reduce the number of photos you get.  Compressing the image quality will help squeeze in a few more shots.  Video recording capability may also be included on some models, while others can function as webcams.  This makes the keychain digital camera perfect if you need a multi-purpose gadget that can take pictures and videos or allow you to enjoy video conferencing with friends.

The keychain digital camera is also cheap to use because most models require only one AAA battery.

Accessories
Most retailers will sell the keychain digital camera with a USB cable, a driver and a CD that contains software for editing photos.  You should also be provided with a small booklet of instructions.

Limitations
Don’t expect the spy gadget keychain digital camera to shoot like a regular-sized SLR or digital camera. There are certain image quality issues you will have to contend with, so don’t try to expect too much or you’ll be disappointed.  If you’re familiar with the results you get from a webcam shot, then that’s the image quality you’ll probably get.  The standard resolution you get is about 320 x 240 pixels, which doubles if you use the high resolution mode.

You might not have to worry about picture quality for so long, though.  Since this spy gadget is gaining in popularity, manufacturers may soon produce small cameras with better picture resolution.

The battery on the keychain digital camera also doesn’t boast a lot of standby life, so if you want to save on power, turn the gadget on only if you intend to use it.

keychain digital camera images

It’s a surprising fact that many people still regard the workplace as one of the safest places.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, many accidents occur at one’s place of work, causing employees many hours of downtime and costing companies millions of dollars in insurance coverage.  If you want to keep yourself or your employees safe at work, here are some workplace safety tips you must keep in mind:

Be aware of exits and entrances
Always be aware of the location of doors, windows and emergency exits at your place of work, whether it’s an office building, a plant, a warehouse or a home office. Determine the viability of these areas as effective exits in case of an emergency.

Try to familiarize yourself with these areas so that you know exactly where to go even if there’s smoke, heavy traffic or absolute panic.  Make sure that these exits are accessible for everyone to use and that workers are aware of them.

Handle electric gadgets and appliances carefully
Don’t do anything at the office that you would consider unsafe at home.  Be especially careful with electric appliances at the office.  Check proper usage instructions and make sure you use the equipment as directed. Don’t try to repair equipment yourself.  If something malfunctions, call the attention of the right department instead.

Wear safety equipment
Some workplaces, by the nature of the industry they belong in, can be hazardous.  Floors in the office pantry, for example, can be slippery or construction areas can have falling debris.  Even ordinary office fixtures such as stairs, elevators, overhead cabinets and electrical outlets can pose a danger if you’re not careful. If you work in places where there are personal or physical hazards, follow safety protocols and regulations that are in place.

Regularly check your workplace for hazards
An important workplace safety tip to remember is to be always vigilant regarding your work area. Check for faulty office equipment, furniture or office appliances that may pose possible threats and other possible sources of physical harm.  Check your desk, chair, cabinets and gadgets as well.

Implement and/or participate in safety practices
Every workplace should have its own set of safety practice procedures.  Be aware of what these are at your place of work.  If you don’t have a safety procedure in place yet, consider having a team of workers to handle this.  Concerted efforts work best in this regard and the more employees are involved, the safer it will be for everyone.

image credits to sxc.hu

All over the United States, new state laws for public safety have come into effect. They’ve been formulated, enacted, and enforced for your sake, but they won’t do you any good if you’re not aware of them. Now, if you live in Oregon, here are a couple of new public safety laws you should learn.

All-Terrain Vehicles
Senate Bill 101 encompasses only ATV’s used for recreational purposes on public lands and do not include those used on private land as well as those used in forestry, agriculture, farming, and nurseries.

The new law poses new requirements for ATV drivers below sixteen years old. Youth drivers are required to obtain an ATV safety education card by finishing a safety education course. They must also comply with minimum physical requirements in regard with the grip and brake reach as well as leg length necessary for the ATV they’re driving.

Anti-Litter and Recycling
In 1971, citizens had been required to make nickel deposits for specified beverages to encourage recycling and prevent littering. At the stroke of midnight on the first day of 2009, that list had just been expanded to carbonated soft drinks, beer, and non-flavored and flavored water.

A Bottle Bill Task Force had also been formed to provide recommendations for further improvement on the bill. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality estimates that less than 13 billion containers would be recycled and reused in the next twenty years.

Prison Sentences
Upon gaining the approval of more than sixty percent of the state’s voters, Ballot Measure 57 is finally in effect. The new law enacts longer prison sentences for repeat drug offenders as well as those convicted of property and high-level crimes. Consequently, Ballot Measure 57 also forbids courts from imposing shorter sentences than those stated by the said law.

The new law, however, isn’t all about prison sentences. It also requires the Department of Corrections to establish grant programs and provide additional funding to enable local governments to offer rehabilitation and corrective treatment for repeat drug and alcohol offenders. The same treatment may also be directly provided by the DEC to certain addicted criminals.

Smoke-free Campaign
To protect its citizens from the admittedly harsh and undeserving effects of secondhand smoke, the state of Oregon has now banned smoking in as much as 75% of motel and hotel sleeping rooms as well as all indoor workplaces and breakrooms, bowling centers, bingo halls, restaurants, and bars. Moreover, businesses are required to ensure that a 10-feet smoke-free zone is maintained around their ventilation systems, doors, and windows. Violators could incur fines ranging from $500 to $2,000 per day.

Whoah! Woman! It’s time to celebrate Women’s Self-Empowerment Week, which runs from January 5 to 11. Although being empowered should be encouraged the whole year through, this is one good way to remind those who are being too busy to do so.

And how else could you better celebrate this moment than giving yourself the gift of safety learn self defense lessons! There are many ways you could get into it, you can introduce yourself to self defense lessons via this video from Just Yell Fire. And advance your education learning more self defense moves by watching more videos or taking self defense classes.

You can check out the new gym that does not only keep you in shape but also lets you learn self defense; there’s one in El Paso called “Fighter Physique”.

There is also a women’s self defense training for Elkhart, Indiana residents – Resist Aggression Defensively for Women on February 23.

If you want more varieties of self defense and fitness training programs, check out this list: a Fitness Calendar, which includes a free self-defense intro, Tae Kwon Do for kids to adults, and Body Combat, which is actually an aerobic program combining moves from a variety of self-defense disciplines.

Another Health Calendar, that you should take note of which gives you a choice of Tai Chi for Self Defense and other fitness programs.

Have a safe and fun Women’s Self-Empowerment Week!

Did you know that an average of 800,000 dog bites happen every year and 1 out of every 6 requires medical attention? source

And if you thought only Mr. Postman is prone to dog bites, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one American has a one in 50 chance of getting bitten by a dog each year.

Okay, enough of the gory details. So what I’m saying is, you will never know when a dog, although provoked by your unintentional noise or any other reason can make you a part of the statistic.

So what might be of help in avoiding having to go to the emergency room for a dog bite case?

One is never approach a stray dog. You don’t know if it’s been vaccinated or if it’s sick with anything.

Do not be too close to a dog. No matter how cute you find that new poodle of your neighbour, it’s better to be safe than never. Give the li’l doggie some space or it might force you to get some new stitches on your face.

If you see a nursing, sleeping or eating dog, resist the temptation of getting too near. It will feel threatened and you know animal instinct, right?

Use dog repellers. One is known as the Dog Chaser. It deters unfriendly canines with the help of ultrasonic technology. It sends off a discomforting but harmless, high frequency sound that can be heard by dogs. There’s also a dog repellent spray, which works like Mace for dogs. This dog repellent device works like a pepper spray.

And as always, prevention is still better than cure. As much as possible, stay away from dogs you are not familiar with. Stay safe and Happy New Year, everyone!

dog repeller image