Beyond Keychains: Compact Self-Defense Options
Tasers
Ah, Tasers, I have a lot of history with this weapon. I worked with the inventor of the modern Taser, Jack Cover, and I fondly remember his first large-scale gun. It was tested in Hawaii; now get this, his
test subject was… a Buffalo! Yep, those huge creatures that you usually see in Yellow Stone Park. Well, the weapon was a two-stage type of gun.
First, it fired the two darts to hit the Buffalo, who didn’t
seem even to care that there were two small darks stuck to their hide. Then,
pulling the trigger back to the next level was to apply the electrical charge.
What happened when a nine-volt battery hit the Buffalo was
nothing short of astounding. It plopped down to its stomach and shook with the
electrical pulse hitting it. No harm done, though. When Jack let up on the
trigger, the Buffalo looked around, surprised, and then just stood up. The
entire day went like that, and needless to say, I was very impressed with the
stopping power of these new non-lethal tools at the time.
At the end of the test day, I must say no animals were harmed, as we had a veterinarian there with us to examine the Buffalo, and we gave them a meal of their favorite treats. On the way out of the Hawaiian ranch, I think I heard one say, "Come back soon; we will keep the light on for you all." Well, perhaps not, but they were excited by the treats.
I did develop a few of my own Tasers, too, so I’m very
familiar with the technology. But, for self-defense, I think they can be an
excellent way to go. There are some issues that you must embrace with them;
however, they are usually covered in training classes with the Taser. In short,
what you want is a multiple-shot taser that also can be reloaded quickly. Also,
if you run out of Taser dart cartridges, then by flipping off the empty or
spent dart cartridges, you have a touch Taser or stun gun.
How they work is straightforward. A nine-volt battery
electrical signal is modulated or made into a particular waveform that
interferes with the body’s natural neurological signal. Then, this waveform is
sent through a series of voltage amplification transformers to yield a very
high voltage. For civilian models, this is usually around 50,000 volts. For
military or law enforcement, it can be as high as 80,000 volts or higher in
some cases.
When you pull the trigger, you send the modulated nine-volt
battery signal into the amplifying transformers, and you also fire the darts
out of the Taser. These darts pull a very thin wire with them, and once you hit
the target, the electricity flows from one dart to the other. The body or skin
is in between the two darts, and that is what people feel. The signal and
voltage flowing between the darts are what interrupt the body’s standard
electrical signals.
Legal considerations: You must, like all self-defense
weapons, check the local laws to make sure you can carry or use them. Also, if
you plan to travel to other locations, you need to check their laws as well.
Pros and cons of everyday carry Self-Defense Weapons.
Cons first: The first issue is keeping
them charged and checking them before you put them on your body. If you find
one that isn’t fully charged, you leave it on the charger and start your day
without your EDC or everyday carry. This is not a good thing.
Some people don’t respond to these weapons. It’s rare, but
it happens, so you must have another self-defense tool to back you up. We have
spent a fair amount of time on self-defense weapons, so remember the onion
approach.
Your self-defense strategy must be layered, and to that end, you must carry other weapons for backup. Also, remember the distances that other self-defense weapons work in, and layer your protection accordingly. Think of a person coming at you who starts at 21 feet and runs at you. Tasers have that
range covered well, but if they fail, you need a backup Self-Defense weapon. Also, an FYI: there are two ways to defeat the Taser in the field. I don’t want to discuss this and give the bad guys instructions on how to neutralize a Taser, but it exists.
Next, Pepper Gel keeps you covered up to eight feet away
from you unless there is heavy rain or gale-force wind.
Next, batons, knives, and finally, something like a Defenderself-defense weapon. It’s your last line of defense, and it is made to work in
close quarters.
Pros: The Taser range is impressive,
and they come in multiple-shot models, too. They have a good reputation and can
work to psychologically deter some attackers. They are relatively inexpensive compared
to a gun, and they are usually non-lethal.
As mentioned earlier, they are non-lethal, easy to use,
compact, and portable. These are essential features to consider while in the
field. Models offer other features, making them a very versatile option. They
are generally legal to use, as well. They also have a lower risk of collateral
damage compared to other self-defense weapons like guns.
The Byrna gun is similar to a Taser, but it’s a chemical weapon and can be a kinetic weapon, too. It shoots Pepper powder balls that burst on contact with the bad guy or anything hard. It is a powerful way to deploy Pepper (chemical) powder on the would-be attacker. It is also non-lethal, and that is a good thing.
The effective range of a Byrna Gun is super impressive!
It can accurately shoot out to 60 feet! That’s crazy good, as your onion just
got a lot larger, haha. It shoots kinetic, Pepper, or inert slugs.
Therefore, while the Byrna’s range is a significant
advantage over many other less-lethal options, it’s crucial to consider these
factors when assessing its practical self-defense capabilities. Aiming for
center mass within the 60-foot effective range is recommended for optimal
results.
You need to check the legal status of carrying the Byrna
with your local laws, as well as wherever you plan to travel while you carry
the Byrna.
Choosing the Right Self-Defense Weapon
Let’s talk about environmental issues because many people
don’t think like that. If you live in Alaska or icy places, electric
self-defense things don’t always work very well. In addition, if you are in the
rain all the time, the same thing can be true with electrical self-defense
solutions; well, they don’t work too well.
The Byrna is a CO2-fired device, and it might be reduced in
capability if you live in high-altitude areas. The manufacturer can help you
with that, but all this is true for scorching places like the deserts of the
world. Things are affected by your environment, so you must consider that when
you are choosing your various self-defense weapons to cover the 21-foot
standing nose-to-nose with your attacker.
I don’t usually do this, but here is what Claude has to say
about CO2-powered weapons:
“Certainly! I'd be happy to share some thoughts on how
altitude affects CO2 gas cylinder cartridges used in devices like Byrna guns or
BB guns. This is an essential consideration for the performance of these
devices.
Here's an overview of how altitude affects CO2-powered devices:
1. Pressure Difference:
- At higher
altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is lower.
- This creates a
greater pressure difference between the CO2 in the cartridge and the outside
air.
- Initially,
this might seem beneficial, as it could lead to higher muzzle velocities.
2. Temperature Effects:
- Higher
altitudes generally mean cooler temperatures.
- CO2 is
sensitive to temperature changes; cooler temperatures reduce the pressure
inside the cartridge.
- This can
counteract the potential benefits of the lower atmospheric pressure.
3. Gas Expansion:
- As the CO2 is
released, it expands rapidly, causing cooling (the Joule-Thomson effect) [9].
- At higher
altitudes, this cooling effect can be more pronounced due to the lower ambient
pressure.
- This can lead
to faster cooling of the cartridge and potentially reduced performance over
time.
4. Shot Consistency:
- The
combination of these factors can lead to less consistent performance.
- Initial shots
might be more powerful, but subsequent shots could see a more rapid decline in
power.
5. Cartridge Lifespan:
- In theory, you
might get slightly more shots per cartridge at higher altitudes due to the
lower ambient pressure.
- However, this
could be offset by the more rapid cooling of the cartridge.
6. Accuracy:
- Changes in
projectile velocity can affect accuracy, especially at longer ranges.
- Users might
need to adjust their aim to compensate for these changes.
Practical Considerations:
- For Byrna guns or similar self-defense tools, these
effects are likely to be less noticeable in typical use scenarios (short range,
few shots fired quickly).
- For target shooting or recreational use of BB guns,
users might notice more significant effects, especially if shooting over longer
periods or at longer ranges.
- It's advisable to test the device at the altitude where
it will be used most frequently to understand its performance characteristics.
- Storing CO2 cartridges at a consistent, moderate
temperature can help maintain more predictable performance.
In conclusion, while altitude does affect the performance
of CO2-powered devices, the practical impact for self-defense tools like Byrna
guns is likely to be minimal in most scenarios. However, users should be aware
of these factors, especially if they live or frequently travel to high-altitude
areas.”
Also, I could counsel you to seriously consider what is
legal to own, carry, and use where you are going to carry or deploy these
weapons. If not, you might find yourself in jail with the bad guy.
Conclusion
Women face an array of threats, and if they are seeking effective and accessible self-defense options, this blog post covers many options for their perusal. The range of self-defense weapons was heavily considered, as was the effectiveness of each weapon. Everything from close-quarter combat weapons to the Byrna gun with an impressive 60-foot range was introduced to the reader in Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog post.
You must embrace the onion or layered self-defense concept
and realize it’s not just one choice for your safety. We covered everything
from the revolutionary Ivan
key chain, the new panic buttons connected to the Internet, and many other
weapons as well.
We’ve highlighted the importance of considering factors such
as ease of use, environment, legality, and effectiveness when selecting the
right tools for your needs. While no single weapon offers a foolproof solution,
a layered self-defense strategy, coupled with situational awareness and
training, can empower women to protect themselves confidently.
Remember, personal safety is a priority, and these compact tools can provide an added layer of security
in an unpredictable world. By staying informed, proactive, and equipped, women can take control of their safety and navigate daily life with greater peace of mind.
Thank you for reading this important blog post! Make sure and visit the Defenders website at https://pdws.biz
Master Peter Brusso
Appendix
Violence Statistics in the U.K.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/violence/index.htm
Guesswork on stats
To scale up the U.K. statistics to estimate what America
might be experiencing, we can use a combination of population ratio and other
relevant factors. However, it’s important to note that this will be a rough
estimate, as many factors influence crime rates, and reporting methods can vary
between countries.
Let’s start with the basic population ratio:
1. U.K. population (2021 estimate): 67.2 million
2. U.S. population (2021 estimate): 331.9 million
3. Population ratio: U.S. is approximately 4.94 times larger
Using this ratio as a starting point:
U.K. statistic: 288,000 people experience violent attacks at
work
Scaled up to the U.S.: 288,000 x 4.94 = 1,422,720
UK statistic: 41% sustain injury (118,080 people)
Scaled up to the U.S.: 118,080 x 4.94 = 583,315
However, this simple scaling doesn’t account for differences
in:
1. Work culture and employment rates
2. Reporting practices
3. Legal definitions of workplace violence
4. Social and economic factors
A more accurate estimate might consider:
1. Comparing violent crime rates overall between the two
countries
2. Looking at workplace safety statistics from U.S. sources
3. Considering differences in industries and job types
between the countries
As a very rough rule of thumb, you might say:
“If the U.K. experiences 288,000 violent attacks at work
annually, the U.S., given its larger population, might experience over 1.4
million such incidents. Similarly, if 118,000 people sustain injuries from
these attacks in the U.K., the number in the U.S. could potentially exceed
580,000.”
But it’s crucial to emphasize that this is a very rough
estimate and should be used cautiously. For accurate statistics, it’s best to
refer to official U.S. sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
--
American stats from Claude
I apologize, but I don’t have the ability to search for or
access current statistics beyond my last training data from 2022. However, I
can provide you with some statistics from reliable U.S. sources that were
available up to that point. Here are some relevant figures from reputable
sources:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2019:
- There were 20,870
cases of intentional injury by another person in the private industry
workplace.
- This equates to
1.7 cases per 10,000 full-time workers.
2. National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) data for
2019:
- An estimated 1.3
million nonfatal violent crimes occurred against persons age 16 or older
while they were at work or on duty.
3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
- OSHA estimates
that about 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence
each year.
4. National Safety Council (NSC):
- In 2019, assaults
resulted in 20,870 injuries and 454 fatalities in the workplace.
U.K. statistic: 288,000 people experience violent attacks at
work
Scaled up to the U.S.: 288,000 x 4.94 = 1,422,720
UK statistic: 41% sustain injury (118,080 people)
Scaled up to U.S.: 118,080 x 4.94 = 583,315
These statistics provide a general picture of workplace
violence in the United States up to 2019-2020. However, it’s important to note
that definitions of workplace violence can vary, and not all incidents may be
reported.
For the most current and accurate statistics, I would
recommend checking the websites of these organizations (BLS, NCVS, OSHA, NSC)
or contacting them directly. They typically update their data annually or
bi-annually.
--
Perplexity
According to the available statistics, workplace violence is
a significant issue in the United States:
Nearly 2 million American workers report experiencing
workplace violence each year [1]. Of these incidents:
- Workplace violence results in 18,000 serious injuries
annually [1].
- Approximately 579,000 nonfatal violent crimes occur in the
workplace each year [1].
- One in five people who experience workplace violence
require time off from work to recover [1].
Specifically for injuries:
- Nonfatal injuries from workplace violence result in an
average of 3 days away from work for recovery [1].
- Workplace violence incidents have led to an average of
500,000 employees missing three or more days of work annually [1].
It’s important to note that certain sectors face higher
risks:
- Over half of workplace violence incidents occur in
healthcare settings [1].
- Healthcare workers report the highest rates of injuries
from workplace violence, with a nearly 50% increase between 2015-2019[2].
- Workers in the healthcare sector make up around 50% of all
victims of workplace assault in the nation [2].
These statistics highlight the prevalence and severity of
workplace violence in the United States, particularly in sectors like
healthcare where workers face elevated risks of violent encounters on the job.
Citations:
[1] https://wifitalents.com/statistic/work-place-violence/
[2] https://abc11.com/health-care-workers-attacks-on-the-job-doctors-emts-nurses-hospital/12371248/
[3] https://www.axios.com/2023/08/10/escalating-violence-americas-hospitals
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk6IpMO4ItU
[5] https://abc11.com/nurse-attacked-patient-duke-emergency-room-multiple-injuries/12575609/
[6] https://www.aast.org/resources-detail/workplace-violence
[8] https://www.nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/workplace-violence
--
Perplexity 2
Based on the available statistics, a significant number of
women in the United States experience various forms of violence, including
sexual assault and rape, each year:
Sexual Violence Statistics
- On average, there are approximately 463,634 victims (age
12 or older) of rape and sexual assault annually in the United States [4].
- In 2022, about 442,754 women were raped or sexually
assaulted in the U.S., an increase from the previous year [5].
- It’s estimated that there are over 433,000 cases of sexual
assault or rape annually in the U.S. among people ages 12 and older [3].
Prevalence and Risk Factors
- Over half of women (53%) report experiencing some form of
sexual violence in their lifetime [3].
- One in five women in the United States has experienced completed
or attempted rape during their lifetime [1].
- Women ages 18-24 who are college students are 3 times more
likely than women in general to experience sexual violence [4].
- The highest risk years for sexual assault are between the
ages of 12 and 34 [3].
Reporting and Perpetrators
- Only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported
to the police, meaning more than two out of three go unreported [3].
- Eight out of 10 victims know the person who raped them,
with perpetrators including acquaintances, family members, or current or former
romantic partners [3].
It’s important to note that these statistics likely
underrepresent the true extent of violence against women, as many incidents go
unreported. Additionally, while this data focuses primarily on sexual violence,
women also experience other forms of violence such as domestic abuse, physical
assault, and stalking.
Citations:
[1] https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics
[2] https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/FEMVIED.PDF
[3] https://www.charliehealth.com/post/sexual-assault-statistics
[4] https://rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence
[5] https://www.statista.com/statistics/251923/usa-reported-forcible-rape-cases-by-gender/
[6] https://www.savacenterga.org/statistics
[7] https://now.org/resource/violence-against-women-in-the-united-states-statistic/
[8] https://rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem
Perplexity 3 violent street attacks
Based on the available data, I can provide some insights
into street attacks and violent crimes in the United States over the past few
years, focusing on robberies, violent attacks leading to major injury, and
homicides. However, it’s important to note that the data doesn’t specifically
isolate “street attacks” as a category, so we’ll look at relevant violent crime
statistics:
Robbery
- Robbery rates have been declining in recent years. In
2022, there were approximately 323,000 reported robberies in the United
States [1].
Aggravated Assault
- Aggravated assault, which often leads to major injuries,
has seen fluctuations. In 2022, there were about 1,095,000 reported cases of
aggravated assault [1].
Homicide
- Homicide rates increased significantly in 2020 but have
shown signs of decline since then:
- There was a 30%
increase in homicides from 2019 to 2020, the largest single-year increase since
1960 [4].
- In 2022, the
homicide rate decreased by 9% to 6.3 per 100,000 people [4].
Carjackings
While specific national data on carjackings is not provided
in the search results, it’s worth noting that this crime has been a growing
concern in many urban areas.
Overall Trends
- Violent crime rates, including those for street-level
crimes, spiked significantly in 2020 but have shown signs of decline since
then.
- In the first half of 2023, murders in 30 large American
cities declined by 9.4% compared to the same period in 2022 [4].
- Despite recent declines, violent crime rates in many
cities remain higher than pre-2020 levels. For instance, in the first half of
2023, homicide rates were still 24% higher compared to the first half of 2019
[4].
It’s important to note that these statistics represent
overall trends and may not capture the full picture of street-level attacks.
Local variations can be significant, and some cities may experience different
patterns than the national averages suggest.
Citations:
[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/251923/usa-reported-forcible-rape-cases-by-gender/
[2] https://home.chicagopolice.org/statistics-data/statistical-reports/
[3] https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/stay-safe/crime-data/crime-dashboard
[4] https://counciloncj.org/homicide-trends-report/
[5] https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/FEMVIED.PDF
[6] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm
[7] https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/gsh/Booklet1.pdf
[8] https://wifitalents.com/statistic/work-place-violence/
Perplexity on personal alarms
Based on the search results provided and my knowledge, there
isn’t clear statistical data or documented cases specifically showing personal
alarm keychains saving lives or stopping attacks. However, there are some
relevant points to consider:
1. Effectiveness as a deterrent: Personal alarms are
designed to startle attackers and draw attention, which could potentially deter
an attack. The loud noise (often 120-140 decibels) is meant to disorient
assailants and alert others nearby.
2. Anecdotal evidence: While not scientific data, customer
reviews often mention feeling safer with these devices, suggesting they provide
a sense of security.
3. Expert recommendations: Personal safety experts and
organizations often recommend personal alarms as part of a broader safety
strategy, indicating some level of perceived effectiveness.
4. Limitations: The search results note that personal alarms
have limitations. They may not be effective against multiple attackers or if an
assailant is wearing earphones/earplugs.
5. Lack of comprehensive studies: There doesn’t appear to be
robust scientific research specifically on the effectiveness of personal alarm
keychains in real-world attack scenarios.
6. Complementary tool: Personal alarms are generally
recommended as one part of a broader personal safety approach, not as a
standalone solution.
While personal alarms may have potential benefits, there’s a
lack of concrete data proving their effectiveness in stopping attacks or saving
lives. They’re likely more of a deterrent and attention-drawing tool rather
than a guaranteed method of protection. More research is needed to assess their
real-world impact on preventing or stopping attacks definitively.
Citations:
[1] https://pomsafe.com/personal-alarm-keychain/
[2] https://www.stunster.com/blog/how-effective-are-personal-alarms/
[3] https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Personal-Keychain-Emergency-Security/dp/B0CKPYN23Y
[4] https://www.tbotech.com/are-personal-alarms-really-effective.htm
[5] https://us.empoweredbyashley.com/blogs/news/how-effective-are-personal-safety-alarms
[6] https://www.garbo.io/blog/personal-safety-alarm
[7] https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/tools/personal-safety-device-backcountry-effectiveness/
[8] https://counciloncj.org/homicide-trends-report/
[9] the Joules-Tomson Effect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joule%E2%80%93Thomson_effect
