| The Basics of Self Defense Devices. Self defense | | | | least! |
| devices are by their nature intimidating. For those | | | | Mace |
| unfamiliar with their use and operation, they can be | | | | Mace, like pepper spray, is a form of tear gas or |
| just as foreboding by their looks alone as for their | | | | lachrymatory (tear-inducing) agent. It's typically |
| deterrent on criminals. This is actually misleading, | | | | delivered via aerosol spray can. Its volatile nature has |
| because many of the self defense devices commonly | | | | made it illegal in many countries, and pepper spray |
| available to the public are conceived and designed | | | | has largely replaced it for civilian use. MACE is also a |
| with both safety and ease and quickness of use | | | | brand name of pepper sprays that include gel and |
| deliberately in mind. The following five devices are by | | | | foam solutions. The term "mace" is often used |
| no means a complete list of the self-defense | | | | interchangeably with "pepper spray," though the two |
| products available to the consumer, over-the-counter | | | | have important chemical differences. |
| market. However, they are routinely the most | | | | Personal Alarms |
| popular and are also widely available online. | | | | Similar to a car alarm for the body, personal alarms |
| Stun Guns and Tasers | | | | include handheld sirens, whistles, and other |
| Stun guns and tasers use powerful electric shocks to | | | | accessory-ready items that are easily carried on the |
| disable opponents by constricting their muscles to the | | | | person to alert of danger. Many personal alarms are |
| point of temporary disability. Many are small enough | | | | electronic, while some whistles retain the timeless |
| to fit inside a woman's purse or within an inside | | | | mechanisms of such items of yesteryear. Some |
| jacket pocket. They are battery operated. A taser is | | | | electric models also include strobe lights, flashlights, |
| a stun gun that uses two powerful pitons and flexible | | | | and other distracting effects that improve visibility |
| wires to deliver the electrical charge. A stun gun is | | | | even while working to disorient an attacker. Still other |
| routinely shaped much like a woman's razor and | | | | classes serve as dog repellents and early-warning |
| contains powerful conducting needles that deliver the | | | | home safety alarms. |
| shock. | | | | Diversion Safes |
| Pepper Sprays | | | | Remember the spy TV show where every routine |
| Pepper spray, sometimes referred to as OC spray, | | | | item housed a secret compartment or gadget? |
| capsicum spray, or OC gas, uses powerful irritants to | | | | Diversion safes work on the same principle, allowing |
| inflame the eyes and sinus passages. Pepper sprays | | | | security items such as spare keys, money, or |
| commonly use some form of capsaicin, an irritant | | | | valuable information to be stored "hidden in plain |
| found within chili peppers of Central America. Very | | | | sight" with a replica façade. Some diversion |
| common in riot control among police agencies | | | | safes take the appearance of weathered car fluid |
| worldwide, the effects of pepper spray are both | | | | containers, making them perfect for camouflage use |
| nonlethal, but also very painful and discomforting. | | | | in the garage. Others are designed to resemble light |
| Pepper spray routinely causes coughing, watering of | | | | plugs, book, flowerpots or wall sockets. |
| the eyes, spastic sneezing fits, and other allergy-like | | | | With the array of self defense products, and new |
| effects. Capsaicin is not soluble in water, and | | | | self defense product options available to combat |
| removing it from the face and sinus passages usually | | | | crime and deter theft, many Americans can now |
| requires considerable effort. Nasty stuff to say the | | | | protect themselves and loved ones effectively. |