Try reading or watching the news today and what do you observe? The amount of aggression is heightening all over the world and the rate of criminality seems to go up. Like everyone else, no person in his or her right mind want to fall victim to any sort of attack, accidental or premeditated. Nobody would want to walk in the dark hoping to be robbed or sexually assaulted. With evils lurking even right at your own doorstep, it is important to have a personal defense plan and an arsenal of non lethal weapons for emergencies.

Self-defense techniques and non-lethal weapons, according to experts, must very well go together with the intention of countering an attack. In the absence of formal training, carrying non lethal weapons will help render an assailant incapacitated or at the very least, dissuade him or her to continue such vile intentions. Since you cannot carry a baseball bat or Rambo knife without getting attention to yourself, the following non lethal weapons can come handy.

1. Pepper Spray

A lot of discussion had been going to and fro when it comes to the use of pepper spray and Mace. Many pepper sprays or OC sprays are formulated with liquified capsicum, the chemical compound in hot peppers. It is meant to irritate the eye and even cause temporary blindness to an attacker. Mace, on the other hand, is composed of OC spray and tear gas which means, double whammy to an attacker (check out the Mace gun spray below). While these two are different products, formulation-wise, it is safe to conclude that carrying either in one’s pocket or purse will make one have something to reach out to during an emergency. Keep one on your bug out bag, too.

2. Taser

Do you know why a Taser is considered one of the most effective non lethal weapons for emergencies? Because it works! Made to deliver neuro-muscular incapacitation, a taser temporarily overrides your attacker’s central nervous system by limiting muscle control for around 30 to 40 seconds. It is known to take down even the vilest of evils roaming the streets to find their next unsuspecting victim. Get your own with this 15-foot safety range Taser below from Amazon.

3. Stun Gun

A stun gun is another electrical type of non lethal weapon fit for emergencies and survival situations. Though widely confused with Taser, its main difference rest on the effectiveness of their range. While a Taser can be used in as far as 15-foot range, using a stun gun must put you in close contact with an attacker. You need to touch its prong into the attacker’s nape or body to deliver the high voltage current to “stun” or cause them to be immobile. When it comes to stun guns, the ViperTek VTS 989 Heavy Duty Stun Gun comes highly recommended.

4. Smart Alarms

Given that there’s no EMP attack, your smartphone is another ally during an emergency. It gives you access to communication systems as well as in activating an alarm system to call the police or call attention to yourself or your home in times of an aggression. Apps like PANIK, for instance, can activate a loud siren or flash multi-hued screen light or fire-up your phone’s torchlight to send out sign of an attack. PANIK also directly sends out distress call to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and IG as well as send SMS to family and friends. It can even be locked with password preventing an attacker from shutting down your phone. Check PANIK out from your favorite app store.

Another personal alarm system as a passive non lethal weapon for emergencies is the PeakPlus Personal Security Alarm. Simply attach this to your keychain or hook it on your jean’s waistline and push to activate when in danger. Its 120decibel alarm will catch attention to yourself and put your attacker at bay.

5. Tactical Pen

A tactical pen is also one of the most popular non lethal weapons for emergencies. It is also one of the handiest and most effective, when you know precisely what to do. Concealed inside a purse, your trouser’s pocket or carried around like a miniature baton, it provides the same level of protection with that of a tactical knife sans the deadly sharp edge. Check out this handy yet durable tactical pen from Smith and Wesson.

 

6. Incapacitating Flashlight

One of the fastest method to deflect an attack is to distract the attacker. This is even more so when your at a disadvantage. Flashing a flashlight designed with heavy lumens will put an attacker in a disoriented state giving you leeway to run or seek for help. It may even be used as a baton to strike your attacker at designated pressure points. While there’s one being made right now that allows an attacker to become nauseated and lose balance, this Guard Dog Security Katana Prym1 Camo Edition will make a good companion or as part of your ultimate bug out bag.

7. Non-Lethal Grenades

This one is not available in online retail sites just yet. You can buy, however, from registered arms dealer in your area. Sponge grenades or rubber ball hand grenades are used like the usual grenades only they’re not lethal. It simply slams an attacker to stun or make him or her incapacitated. It can bruise and sting, but it will not kill.

Be Prepared At All Times

While it is good to have any of these non lethal weapons for emergencies handy, it is still important to learn basic self-defense. Women, in particular, must learn Krav Manga moves or basic self-defense techniques to give them a fighting chance in case of an attack. When buying any of these weapons above, consider also checking with local policies and regulations to ensure compliance.