Posts Tagged ‘personal gadget’

Pepper Spray – Heat Levels Matter

When shopping for pepper spray products, you usually take into account factors like pepper spray pattern, price, and size. Definitely, those are important but you also have one more thing to consider, and that’s the heat rating of your pepper spray product.

More Heat Equals Longer Effects
That’s basically what greater heat levels can contribute to your personal safety. The effects of pepper spray are inflammatory by nature. This means that affected areas will immediately sting. If it hits your eyes, they’ll close in reflex to prevent further harm. That means staying partially or completely blind for a certain period of time.

If your respiratory system is affected and you inhale enough capsaicin, you’ll start coughing and choking and experience nausea. Your nose could also start to run as mucus is produced as another reflex response to the presence of capsaicin.

The effects don’t stop there. If you try to rub it away, you will only succeed in having the inflammation spread to other areas. That means more parts of your face will hurt.

How long all these lasts will, as we’ve said earlier, depend on how much capsaicin a pepper spray product has. On average, pepper spray effects last twenty to forty-five minutes. You have two ways to determine a product’s heat rating. First, there’s the easy way – just check out the product label and the perentage of Oleoresin Capsicum or OC indicated.

The typical pepper spray product uses a 10% OC solution. This is equivalent to 2,000,000 SHU – but we’ll talk about that later. Others have 18 and 20% OC content and are consequently more effective to use against your attacker.

Understanding How SHU Works
SHU stands for Scoville Heat Units and used for the Scoville Scale, a measurement system devised by American chemist Wilbur Scovile for gauging the heat levels of pepper. More specifically, it measures the amount of capsaicin in a given pepper or pepper spray product.

Peppers you see often used for cooking spicy dishes can have SHU ratings anywhere from zero (sweet bell pepper) to 8,000. The more exotic dishes may have peppers spicy enough to register with more than a million SHU.

And with pepper spray products, there are those that have excessively high capsaicin content to score 16,000,000 SHU in the Scoville Scale. You can just imagine how hot that can be!

Be More Effective
Having a pepper spray product with a high heat rating is good, but it can be better if you combine with a triple action attack: there are self-defense weapons that combine a pepper spray, tear gas, and UV dye marker all into one.

No Need to Get Physical with Self-Defense Whistle

You only need a glimpse of crime statistics from the FBI to realize just how dangerous the outside world can be. Every time you leave your home, every time you walk the streets alone, every time you find yourself in a dark place – all these represent a risk on your life that you’re taking. Do yourself a favor and protect yourself with a self-defense whistle.

The self-defense whistle is ideal for individuals who strongly prefer not to engage in a physical fight with their assailant. It could be due to your personal principles or because you believe that you are seriously disadvantaged in such fights. Whatever the case may be, a self-defense whistle is your best weapon against criminal attacks.

Indeed, many a crime could have been prevented and lives could have been saved even if only would-be victims had been able to successfully call for help. But of course, screaming loud enough takes time and energy – two things that you may not have the luxury of when you’re running for your life.

Calling for help, however, need not require the use of your voice if you have a self-defense whistle.

Loud and Clear
Self-defense whistles in the market today emit a very loud and shrill whistling sound with a minimum of a 100 decibel alarm. You may even find some models using a 120-decibel alarm.
Such volume is imperative for your life’s safety: one little blow and you’re sure to get people’s attention. Just one clear look on your situation is all you need and help is sure to come immediately.

Compact Design
Self-defense whistles are small and handy. They often come in the form of key chains and as such, they won’t look out of place if you have them in your hands all the time or chained to your belt strap or pocket. You may even attach them to a necklace for quicker access. What’s important here is that self-defense whistles are small enough to bring with you at all times. That way, you’ll have 24/7 protection wherever you are.

Flashing Lights
A whistle in a silent night may be an effective signal for help, but darkness can prevent you from enjoying a timely rescue. Using a self-defense whistle – and not just whistling yourself – will, however, changes things. Self-defense whistles today also come with flashing lights to help your would-be rescuer pinpoint your exact location.

With self-defense whistles, there is no need to get close enough to hit your attacker. Just blow away and help will come running.

What are Taser Holsters and Do You Need One?

When people purchase a Taser, buying a holster is probably the last thing on their minds.  Holsters are accessories, after all.  Buying one is like buying an eyeglass chain that you may or may not readily need.  But for practical reasons, a Taser holster may just come in handy if you need to use and carry your Taser.

What are Taser holsters?
Taser holsters are holders that resemble shaped pouches.  They are used to hold Tasers when not in use and are usually sold as a free accessory for every purchase of a Taser.  While optional in many cases, holsters are increasingly becoming popular with people who want a practical means to keep their Tasers and carry them during transit.

Taser holsters are made of cloth or some other strong material such as leather.  Some of the most common holsters being sold today are made with nylon.

Do you need a Taser holster?
A Taser holster is nothing more than just a container or storage device for your Taser gun.  In the absence of a holster, the Taser will probably find a comfortable place in a bag or a pocket.  While this is good enough, it may not be practical in the long run.

When not in use, Tasers tend to be forgotten tools of self-defense.  The problem here is that in case an emergency does occur and physical attack is imminent, how soon can you get hold of your Taser gun, aim it and fire?  A holster will not only keep your Taser in place, it will also encourage you to wear it near your body where it will be easy to find and deploy.  The few seconds it would take for you to rummage through your bag or dig into your pocket for a loose Taser might be enough for your attacker to hurt you.  with a holster, you will have no excuse to give him that chance.

Buying a Taser holster
When purchasing a Taser, check to see if a holster comes with the offer.  Holsters are often offered for free.  If your purchase does not include one or if you are not comfortable with the free item, you could choose from numerous styles, designs, colors and brands.  Be sure to check the model of your Taser gun prior to purchase of a holster because many of these are designed for use with specific Taser types.  This will ensure a snug, reliable fit for your gadget.

What is a Runt Stun Gun and Could You Use One?

People who are looking for a reliable and effective self-defense weapon often pick the stun gun for its power to incapacitate an attacker.  Stun guns have been proven excellent as tools for stopping an attacker at close contact.  It could disable an assailant — ironically enough — safely, without causing permanent body harm, which is one of the main reasons stun guns are allowed for use even by civilians.  Stun guns have improved over the years and now come in a variety of designs and models.  One of these is the runt stun gun — handy, easy to conceal yet capable of packing enough wallop to keep attackers at bay.

What is a runt stun gun?
A runt stun gun is a small-sized stun gun — hence the nickname.  It is slightly shorter and thinner than a regular stun gun but is still capable of producing high-voltage shock.  In fact, there are runt stun guns that could generate as much as 950,000 volts — that’s 900,000 more power than some regularly-sized stun guns can offer.

So just how small is a runt?  Some models are just a little over 3″ high — small enough to fit in the palm of the hand and tiny enough to resemble an old-model beeper or even a thick business card holder.

Does it work?
The runt stun gun has the same design and functionality as a traditional stun gun — that is, it’s designed to deliver a shock upon contact once the trigger is pressed.  Its only difference is its size.  The shock from the runt stun gun penetrates the skin and affects the muscle, causing pain and discomfort.  The shock also leads to energy loss, which explains why a person who gets stunned will have some difficulty moving initially.  In some cases, the stunned person may even experience loss of coordination and balance.

The effects of a stun gun generally depends on certain factors, such as the power or voltage of the gun, the individual’s size, body mass and emotional or physical condition.  Runt stun guns also rely on battery power in order to work, so it’s important that a unit always has a fresh pair of batteries to remain reliable.

Who can make use of a runt stun gun?
The runt stun gun is an excellent choice for people who prefer a handy device that’s lightweight, easy to carry and unobtrusive enough to conceal in a regular purse or pocket.  It’s a practical choice for any man or woman who wants a fast-acting, effective yet safe way to defend themselves.

What to look for in a runt stun gun
When buying a runt stun gun, consider the range of power (usually expressed in voltage/volts) it comes with.  Most of the models you’ll find today can range from a low 350,000 volts to a high of 950,000 volts.  There are also models that come in all three voltages, allowing the user to switch from a low voltage to a higher voltage at the flick of a switch.

3 Must-Have Ninja Weapons: Ninja Grappling Hook, Hand Claws and Throwing Stars

When it comes to legendary fighting skills, ninjas are often some of the most respected and feared.  Capable of nearly esoteric self-defense skills, ninjas are also known for their weapons, including the ninja grappling hook, the hand claws and the throwing stars.  To this day, these ancient weapons remain as some of the most trusted — and effective — tools for self-defense.  Find out if any of these are the right fit for you:

The grappling hook
The grappling hook is a type of ninja weapon that is often utilized to scale walls, trees, rocks and buildings.  They work efficiently for both vertical and horizontal obstacles, allowing the user to move from one area to the next.  As a weapon of self-defense, the grappling hook is used primarily to escape a dangerous situation.

Is it right for you?
The grappling hook is a metallic device consisting of 3 to 4 hooks that are attached to a length of rope.  The hooks are meant to provide a grip onto a stable object so the user can climb or cross between two obstacles.

The grappling hook requires some skills to handle, particularly for throwing and accurately hitting a target.  It also requires upper body and arm strength to help the user move.

The hand claws
The hand claws are probably one of the deadliest ninja weapons you could ever own.  Made with sharp, steel claws, these are slipped to fit around each hand with the claws facing down and outward from the back of the hand.

Hand claws are also known as shuko.

Hand claws are useful for climbing (as long as they are sharp and solid enough) and for deterring a physical attack.  They are quite effective on certain surfaces such as wood although they may have certain limitations on materials such as concrete, marble and glass.

Is it right for you?
The ninja claws can work to stop an assailant from attacking.  The sharp claws can tear the skin and cause enough pain in order to discourage further attack.  They do require arm and upper body strength if used for climbing.

The throwing stars
Throwing stars are sharp, flat and pointed objects that are synonymous to ninja activities.  They are probably the most popular ninja weapons in existence today.  They are used to distract an opponent or to deter an attack by slicing or cutting through flesh.  These weapons are also known as shuriken.

Is it right for you?
If you intend to use the throwing star as a weapon, learn to throw it safely, efficiently and accurately first.  With the right technique, you should be able to hit a target from some distance away.

Different Varieties of Stun Gun Voltages

The stun gun is one of the most powerful and effective tools for self-defense.  Handy, simple in design and straightforward to use, stun guns are preferred in many instances for deferring an attack or controlling unruly and dangerous behavior because it delivers fast, efficient results.  Stun guns come in a variety of power, usually expressed in voltages.  The number indicated as the voltage of the stun gun is an indication of its power, something that every buyer should be aware about.

What different varieties of stun gun voltages to expect
Stun guns come in different power indications, but they usually range from about 20,000 volts to 150,000 volts.  Newer models often have higher voltages, which could translate to better stopping power.  There are even stun gun models being sold with an advertised voltage of 1 million volts.  But how effective are these?

If the million voltage stun gun seems terrifying, it’s because humans generally have an adverse reaction to electricity and we know that higher voltages also equals more pain.  But should you choose a stun gun with a voltage of 900,000 over one that ‘only’ has 50,000?  That really depends on what you need and the type of reaction you want to produce.

In general, stun guns with 20,000 to 50,000 voltages are considered standard.  Most of these are dart-firing tasers that some users prefer because they can be utilized from farther away.  The darts they fire also come in direct contact with the body of the assailant, allowing the electricity to affect more skeletal muscles.  They are also chosen because they tend not to affect the heart, avoiding any life-threatening health issue.  Dart-firing tasers are also effective in knocking the assailant off.  These are very efficient for immobilizing the target.

Stun guns with high voltages are intended for close encounters.  They are designed to shock by contracting the muscles and causing pain.  However, they may not be that effective in knocking the assailant to the ground.  They are, however, quite efficient at producing shock that will cause enough pain and discomfort in order to discourage a physical attack.

Just how powerful is a particular stun gun voltage?
If you’ve ever experienced the discomfort of static electricity, such as when you rub your shoes against a synthetic rug and proceed to touch door knob, then you could safely say that you’ve been shocked with about 20,000 to 30,000 volts of electricity.  You could probably say that you know what that type of voltage feels like for an assailant against whom you’ll be using the stun gun.

What you should watch out for is the amperage or amps.  Stun guns usually have a high-voltage, low-amperage power arrangement to keep them on the safe side.  If the gun comes in a higher amperage, be very wary because you could cause serious, unnecessary damage.

Personal Safety Gadget: Electronic Whistle

Traveling in areas where there are few around is always dangerous, but there are instances when it can’t be avoided. Protect yourself and prevent confrontation by having an electronic whistle for personal safety.

Features of an Electronic Whistle
Getting an electronic whistle to blow out an SOS will be more effective than shouting for help. But in order to enjoy maximum use of it, you’ll need to understand how its key features work.

Volume
Electronic whistles don’t work like ordinary whistles because they rely on electricity and not your vocal powers. As such, the volume of its whistle is approximated at 120db, which is loud enough for people to hear over medium range distances.

Do not, however, overestimate its volume and the length of distance it can be heard from. Doing that could compromise your personal safety and help may not arrive as quickly as you expect it to.

Button Activation
As mentioned earlier on, you won’t have to rely on your vocal and respiratory powers to make electronic whistles work. Because of their push-button-activation setup, you just need to keep your finger on the button and the whistle will work as long as you need it to…or until it runs out of battery.

Battery Power
These are battery-powered and as such, you’ll have to be aware at all times of how much power there is still remaining in your electronic whistle. If you don’t replace or recharge them regularly, you could end up with a dead whistle at your time of need.

Keychain
Most electronic models will come with keychains. Use them to keep them securely in place, such as inside your pockets or attached to your belt strap. It’s also better to make it part of your daily routine to double-check the presence of your electronic whistle before leaving your home or workplace.

How to Make the Best of Use of Electronic Whistles for Your Personal Safety

Keep it hidden but accessible
Having the element of surprise at your side may be all the difference you need to thwart a robbery attempt or any other move from your attacker. As they are compact in size, it’s quite easy for you to keep them out of view but near enough for you to grab them whenever necessary.

Use it at the right time and place
Be aware of where you are. Avoid activating your electronic whistle if the area seems too isolated or if you believe you’re running low on battery power. Be strategic with its use.

Electronic whistles can be an effective but harmless self-defense weapon, but only when you don’t panic and use it at the right time and place.

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