| My wife gave birth to our second child April 30, 2009. | | | | If I didn’t have the OC spray available and the |
| There were some complications that have forced my | | | | latter occurred, someone would have probably been |
| little one to remain in the hospital until Mother’s | | | | hurt badly or worse. Remember, my little girl is the |
| Day. As a result, I am shuffling back and worth to | | | | truck and I would have fought to the death to |
| the hospital at all times of day and night. Ironically on | | | | protect her. The spray prevented that from |
| May 6th at about 5:30pm my four year old and I | | | | happening. In less than a second the “threat” |
| were walking to my truck; when an unexpected | | | | was neutralized, which gave me ample time to call for |
| situation occurred. | | | | help. At the same time no one was hurt permanently |
| As we were nearing my vehicle, I hear someone in | | | | or seriously. Law enforcement was able to transport |
| the distance. I look over and spot a large man | | | | this man without resistance. |
| jogging toward us. As he is running he’s looking | | | | I wanted to share this with you because it’s real |
| over his shoulder and shouting “get away, leave | | | | world stuff. First, we were in a hospital parking lot. |
| me alone”. The problem was no one nor nothing | | | | This is a place that should be and I assumed was |
| was there! The fact that my little girl was with me | | | | safe. Next, this did not happen at 2 or 3 in the |
| really had me on guard and the adrenalin started | | | | morning. Instead, the sun was shining and it was at a |
| pumping. The “fight or flight” reflex had | | | | time when many people are coming and going to |
| definitely been triggered in me. | | | | visit. Had my pepper spray been packed away |
| This guy is about 50 yards away but jogging toward | | | | somewhere and not readily available there could have |
| me and continuing to yell that someone or something | | | | been trouble. |
| that wasn’t there. I put my girl in the truck and | | | | This is why I stress awareness and preparation in |
| locked the doors. At about 25 yards I yelled | | | | every aspect of your life, especially your safety and |
| “Can I help you?”. There was no response | | | | security. I’m no hero, what I am and was is |
| and he continued. At about 10 yards I yelled | | | | prepared to handle a situation like this because |
| “stop, don’t come any closer”. Still no | | | | I’ve practiced for it in my mind over and over |
| response. At about 5 yards I pulled my pepper spray, | | | | again. The second part and just as important is the |
| aimed and fired. | | | | awareness piece. Had I been involved in a cell phone |
| He stopped almost immediately and began screaming | | | | conversation, or had my IPOD playing, or just not |
| then went down to his knees. He was incapacitated, | | | | paying much attention I could have been in trouble. I |
| so I called the police to come and pick him up. Turns | | | | would have been prepared but not aware, thus very |
| out this guy ran away from a mental health unit that | | | | vulnerable to attack. |
| was also located on the hospital premises. Without | | | | I encourage you to get and utilize some form of non |
| going into much detail, this was a very ill and mentally | | | | lethal self defense for yourself and family members. |
| disturbed individual. Had I not stopped him, he may | | | | It literally can mean the difference between a good |
| have run right by me or he may have asked me to | | | | and bad outcome. During this situation, I was carrying |
| help him or he may have attempted to attack me or | | | | Fox Labs spray in my pocket. |
| my daughter. | | | | |