January is National Personal Self-Defense Month.

Each year we highlight this important awareness month because we believe that awareness leads to power which leads to prevention.

Preventing a crime is always better than reacting to one. Strand Security has been dedicated to not just security, but personal safety for many years. We even have our own Myrtle Beach Self Defense division. Learn more about how this came to be here.

This article will lists several options of self-defense weapons you can carry on you, as you go about your day.

Protect yourself: learn self-defense techniques and carry a weapon of some sort to ward of an attack.

The Personal Taser

A taser works like this:

Electric TASER devices work by delivering a high-voltage, low-current electrical discharge into the body of an assailant, overwhelming the muscle-triggering mechanisms of their body. The shock is painful and can paralyze the assailant, but the electric TASER device as a non-lethal weapon is generally considered safe.

The keyword here is that a taser can paralyze the attacker, opening up an opportunity for the victim to get away! Taser can only be used by making contact with an assailant. S/he has to get within reach for your to deploy this self defense weapon.

Pepper Spray

Much like the taser, pepper spray can be used to fend of an assailant or attacker. The advantage over a taser is that pepper spray can be used from a distance – you do NOT have to wait to use this weapon until physical contact is made.

A small can of pepper spray can be tucked into a pocket, sock, or even a bra. It’s easier to carry than a taser, and is recommended for those who workout outside – i.e. runners, bicyclists, hikers etc.

Pocket Weapons

Pocket weapons can be anything from a swiss army knife, keys, small tools, sharp objects – i.e. anything that is strong, sharp, pointy and light weight.

While pepper spray can be used from a distance, pocket weapons, like a taser, are only to be used as a last resort when in close contact with the assailant. Pocket weapons can be hidden in … pockets, but also in backpacks, fanny packs and a purse.

Heavy Flashlight

A heavy flashlight can serve double duty. Light the way and serve as a weapons when needed. A heavy flashlight, used strategically, can knock down a grown men or woman and incapacitate them. This gives the victim opportunity to escape.

Whistle / Air Horn

A whistle or air horn deployed at close range can damage the eardrum, and at the same time, strongly deter an assailant from carrying out the intended attack. Loud sounds alert bystanders to the fact that an assault is in progress, thus rallying support for the victim. Most assailants will turn and run when confronted with a loud noise.

Smartwatch

Last but not least, your smartwatch can be used to help victims in several ways.

1. Emergency SOS. Simply press and hold the side button below the digital crown dial on the upper right side of the Apple watch. The watch will automatically call 911 and send a text message to up to five emergency contacts you previously selected and stored within the watch. The Apple Watch reveals the wearer’s exact location and serves as a speakerphone, allowing the user to communicate with a 911 operator or emergency contacts.

Several Galaxy smartwatches also have an SOS feature, accessed by pressing the home key on the lower right side, that will alert contacts you’ve previously entered on the smartphone paired with the watch.

2 GPS location tracking. An Apple iPhone can be used to track an Apple Watch wearer’s exact location in real time. This is a useful feature and helpful during an assault or kidnapping especially when a victim is incapacitated in some way, and can’t call 911 or speak to an operator.

Prevent Being Victimized. Learn Self Defense.

While not all assaults, attacks and crimes can be prevented, learning self defense and awareness about personal safety does help in reducing your risk for being a victim.

Heather of Strand Security has been teaching personal self defense classes to the Grand Strand Community for over 5 years. That includes Girl Scouts, business organizations, sororities, council of the aging and more!

Contact Heather today to schedule your class.