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As they say, “different stokes for different folks”. Before we decide on which type of self-defense is right for a person, we need to classify age and gender. I think we can break down the categories to four basic: Children and young teenagers are a group from 1 to 14. This is a group under parental control. They should not be dating or driving and should be supervised, by adults, in any activity away from home. Responsible Teenagers of the age 15 to 21. These are young adults, not quite as capable of making educated decisions as their adult counter-part. However this group is dating, driving and going to college. Men over the age of twenty-one. This is an adult group that is capable of making decisions and realizing the ramifications of their actions. Women over the age of twenty-one have the same traits as their male counter-parts. The difference is physical strength and cultural influence. I believe all groups could learn a lot by classes on physical self-defense such as Karate or Judo. This not only gives those skills to protect themselves, but also builds a healthier body, stamina and positive self-worth. Even the children can benefit from this type of training and as they grow older can use these skills when they find themselves in a difficult situation. However physical contact with an intruder should be used only if there is no other means of self-defense available. Involving children in self-defense training and education about self-defense items is appropriate. Sending the child out on their own with just this training or personal self-defense weapons is not permissible. When they grow older they can hone their skills and obtain self-defense items. Responsible Teenagers can be educated and trained to carry personal self-defense protection. Every young adult is different and it is the duty of a parent to decide when and what the young adult is ready for. This will require the adult to educate themselves as well as the young adult on the proper items and their use for the young adult to carry. The parent should not just buy a stun gun and give it to the young adult with no training or education. Before you consider “arming” a young adult with a stun gun, Mace or other item, you need to check local laws and definitely school rules and regulations. Maybe the items will only be carried on a date or in their automobile. You must follow the laws and educate your child to follow all rules and laws. Most women that say they are not capable of self-defense are a product of the culture or have not been educated. Judo as an example, does not rely on physical size or strength to be effective. Women can be trained as well as men to defend themselves, but close physical contact should be a last resort. There are many great products women can use to avoid physical contact with an intruder. Not all men are “macho men”, capable of beating off and disabling their attacker. Men as with all other groups should avoid physical contact with an attacker and find a suitable self-defense item that fits their life-style and abilities. Cell Phones are a necessity today for anyone who travels away from home, especially if they are alone. The cell phone can be used to prevent a confrontation or for many other emergency reasons. It is in itself a self-defense tool to call police, friends or family. Young children can be provide with special cell-phones that are set up with buttons to dial preset numbers. A Mini GPS Device can be used by children, teenagers or adults. For children, if they are kidnapped, the device will monitor their location and even monitor conversations going on around them. The device has a panic button that will summons parents and the police and they can use a computer or smart phone to track the child. Teenagers can carry a mini-GPS without anyone knowing they have it on their person. Adults can use the mini GPS for hiking, camping, traveling or for senior citizens that may have diminished capabilities. Personal Alarms send out a very loud and shrill signal the alerts everybody in range and can scare off a potential attacker. These can be in many shapes, sizes and intensity of the alarm. This is an item can be carried by all four groups safely. Some are very small and can be attached to a child’s clothing or belt loop and be used by the child to attract attention allowing them to escape from a potential pedophile. Mace or Pepper Spray is a very convenient and effective deterrent. Pepper Spray is non-lethal and comes in many sizes and shapes to carry on your person, handbag, car or home. Used properly it will disable your assailant for 15 to 30 minutes and cause discomfort for up to one hour so you will have time to escape and summons the police. I believe a properly trained responsible teenager through adult can safely carry and use pepper spray. However local laws may prohibit anyone under the age of 18 carrying it on their person. A Stun Gun is another extremely effective deterrent against attackers. Again a responsible teenager through adult can effectively carry a stun gun. This is a close proximity weapon that must touch the attacker. However working in a crowed environment, being in a crowd or being on a date, this may be the difference between safety and rape or being attacked and robbed. The stun gun has a sort but highly effective range of time to allow you to run and summons the police or get to safety. Again local laws may prohibit the carrying of a stun gun by anyone under the age of 18. In choosing your means of self-defense we cannot emphasize training and education enough. Also you must comply with local laws and school rules. Special exemptions may be applicable to young adults under the age of 18 if there has been a history of attacks in their neighborhood, school or personal life, but again you must consult the local authorities. In many jurisdictions the person under the age of 18 may not be able to carry pepper spray or a stun gun on their person, but they may carry it in their car or dorm room. Be safe, trained and educated and by all means follow the law. Once your attacker is down, run and summons the police. Doug Harper is the owner of SharperSafety.com. Stun Weapon Shock Gun Baton Stun Pepper Spray Legal Buy Mace
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