71% of women surveyed in the US reported that they avoided doing things they wanted to do because they were worried about being attacked.
The good news, however, is that people can carry non-lethal weapons to protect themselves in the event of a dangerous situation. Did you know something as simple as a bright flashlight can be considered a self-defense weapon if you know how to use it right?
If you want to protect yourself, but don’t want to actually risk killing someone, you need to invest in non-lethal weapons.
There are some new non-lethal weapons that have better technology than what you may have seen before, so keep reading to learn more about what your main options are.
Pepper Spray
This is the most common of the non-lethal self-defense weapons out there because it is affordable, small, and effective.
It targets the eyesight of the perpetrator, which causes side effects like burning, shortness of breath, or gagging. This gives you plenty of time to get away from the attacker or defend yourself.
If you’re looking for an alternative to pepper spray, you should consider a deterrent spray for these reasons.
Household Items
Having certain “regular” items on your person that can also act as weapons when needed is a great idea.
Think about how heavy a full reusable water bottle can get; this is easily something you can use as a weapon if needed. Other ideas include:
- Keys
- Belt
- Pen
- Glass bottle
There are also items you can carry that are actual weapons but look like regular things. If you look online, you can find lipstick pepper spray, self-defense rings, and security umbrellas, which are just a few examples.
Knives
There are specific knives designed for self-defense, but it’s important to consider that for this to be a non-lethal weapon, you would need to use it as a tool if approached by an attacker.
They are very resourceful and can be quick to access, but it’s a good idea to practice with the knife to learn how to use it as a self-defense weapon exclusively. Otherwise, your nerves may get the best of you and create a more dangerous situation.
A knife can be considered a deadly weapon in criminal court, so you really only want to use a knife in a self-defense situation regardless.
Batons
Did you know you can get collapsible, flexible, or mini batons? You can also have a baton that comes with other multi-purpose tools. This makes it a very versatile option and one of the best non-lethal weapons on the market.
A high-quality baton is capable of breaking a car window if you get trapped or converting itself into a shield for protection.
Obviously, you can also use this for whacking someone that is trying to harm you. To use a baton for self-defense, it’s best to aim for soft tissue, like hands, legs, or arms.
Pocket Weapons
This is a very broad category of self-defense weapons, but it all comes down to items that you can fit into your pockets. Things like stun knuckles, stun gun flashlights, or self-defense flashlights are just a few of the options that you can consider.
These are non-lethal items that can work to temporarily disorient your attacker.
Choose Non-Lethal Weapons to Protect Yourself
There are several options for non-lethal weapons that you can choose from. It’s important to think about what you’d be most comfortable using in a high-stress, anxiety-inducing situation.
Practice with the weapon you choose so that you know how to use it, and keep it in a place that is readily accessible when you’re out and about.
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