Many people that are involved in decisions about everyday
self-defense have a very rigid idea of what that entails. As someone who spent many years studying
firearms and self-defense scenarios I always figured that if someone or
something alarmed me enough to warrant self-defense I should use lethal force. And so I’ve always carried a gun with the
intention of only pulling it if I had to use it. But then about 1982 my views changed. I realized that self-defense scenarios are not
a one-size-fits-all. There are actually options, and they’re a good
thing.
The fact is, there are non-lethal options available, and
some scenarios could be handled with less than lethal force. While I always recommend carrying a firearm as
your first line of defense in an actual life-or-death emergency, over the years
I’ve witnessed some instances where I wish I’d had a less-permanent
choice. I first considered a baton but quickly learned that they are not
as “less lethal” as I would have preferred. It’s very easy to seriously injure or even
kill someone with a baton without decent training and practice hitting less
lethal points on the body.
While there are several products available as less-lethal
options, most do have a downside. I know
there are a few so-called “experts” in self-defense that will recommend a
flashlight, hairbrush, or even a whistle. But these may or may not discourage an
attacker, especially if the bad guy is high on drugs or intoxicated. If it’s daytime or the thug wears his sun
glasses at night, for example, a flashlight is worthless.
In my view, the best less-than-lethal device that you can
depend on is Pepper Spray as a Force alternative. Oleoresin Capsicum, also
known as OC or pepper spray, is a popular defensive weapon for civilians and law
enforcement agencies. Derived from chili
peppers, oleoresin capsicum is the active ingredient in pepper spray and in
some topical pain relievers. It is found
in cayenne and other varieties of peppers. These are the same peppers used to "heat
up" spicy foods.
Contact with OC particles in a sprayed mist or gel
incapacitates subjects by inducing an almost immediate burning sensation of the
skin, but more important, a burning and swelling of the eyes. It’s legal in most jurisdictions (of course,
you should always check your local laws!), and it’s easy to use. It can buy time for you to get away, because,
as anyone who has ever been blasted in the eyes with it knows, it’s
incapacitating to the average person.
There are dozens of pepper spray products available but
for the moment I will recommend one device: SABRE. It comes in several different sizes with carry
straps, on key chains, or in a holster. Sabre
has a range of approximately 10-12 feet that can debilitate an attacker for up
to 45 minutes. What’s more, depending on
the size of Sabre purchased it will contain from 25-35 shots. I’ve carried this brand for many years, and I
must say, it works.
Whatever nonlethal alternative you choose, however, you
should practice with it. Seeing just how
far the spray stream travels and how it’s best aimed in order to hit the face
of your target is not something you should find out during an actual emergency.
And always be aware of wind
direction! However, if you are hesitant to waste a can of pepper spray for
practice Sabre as well as some of the other manufacturers offers a non-potent
training unit so you can get a feel for using it without saturating the area
with pepper spray.
A non-lethal device is just one more self-defense tactic
that should be added to your repertoire. And when carried in tandem with a
firearm, it may allow you to avoid using a sledge hammer when all you really
needed was a tack hammer.
Pepper Spray vs. Mace: An Important Note
Chemical Mace is the brand name for the first type of
defensive spray that was bottled in an aerosol can and commercialized in the
1960s. It’s a chemical compound that contains phenacyl chloride (CN), better
known as tear gas. But tear gas is toxic to some people, and later it was found
that pepper spray (oleoresin capsicum) is non-toxic and more potent as a
temporary debilitator. So, while people commonly refer to pepper spray as
“mace,” the term is inaccurate.
Be Safe!
Russ Sharrock
I have made available to anyone interested a FREE series of Do-it-Yourself forms that can be printed for your use:
1) A Safety & Security Risk Assessment form.
2) Church Emergency Plan Template
3) General Fire Safety Checklist
4) A Bomb Threat Checklist
5) A Bomb Threat Distance chart for various types of explosive
devises to be referred to in the event of a bomb threat evacuation. These
are minimum distances to evacuate away from the area of blast.
They’re Word documents so you can make any changes necessary to fit
your church size and needs. I will be adding new forms as time
allows.
For a copy of any of the Do-it-Yourself forms, or if you have any
questions, you can contact me at: integritysecconslt@mail.com
Integrity
Security Consulting
Russ
Sharrock
405-762-2471 | integrityseccon@hotmail.com
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