Less Than Lethal Self-Defense

There are some locations that prevent the use of deadly force. There are also people who do not want to use deadly force. In those cases, potential threats can still be mitigated. There are less than lethal tools that can be employed.

Let’s start by identifying some assumptions about criminals. I know, assumptions are dangerous and not always accurate. Work with me for a little bit. My first assumption is that criminals are inherently lazy. They want an easy mark. My next one is that criminals don’t like witnesses. These two characteristics can help an intended victim use non-lethal methods to thwart the attack.

Noise

Women’s self-defense classes teach their students to make as much noise they can by yelling and screaming. There are other devices that can fill this need without straining the vocal cords or being stopped by a hand over the victim’s mouth.

 Personal Alarms: There are personal alarms that can be activated by pulling a lanyard. Once they are activated it emits a 130 – 140 decibel alarm that can’t be silenced easily. They can be purchased for $9 to $30.

 Whistles – Everyone has heard of rape whistles. There are a variety of whistles (not labeled as rape whistles) that can emit a 120 – 150 decibel sound. Obviously, a hand over the mouth can be an issue with a whistle. I carry a whistle can that is part of a tactical pen. Whistles can be a lifesaver in survival situations also. Screaming for help is short term before the vocal cords fail. Whilstles can be purchased for $3-5.

Noise defense tools are the least likely to trip up your defense if an overzealous prosecutor wants to pursue charges.

Let’s look at other tools.

Lights

Flashlights can be a good next level of defense. I’m not talking about your two C or D cell incandescent light. Technology has advanced to provide several hundred lumens of light in a compact package. An additional feature beyond your youth camping flashlight is the ability for a razzle-dazzle light that is very disorienting.

Some of them have other features such as DNA collection sharp points, glass breakers and stun guns. Some are large enough to serve as a club.

While a light won’t take down an attacker it will give the victim an opportunity to run away while the attacker is temporarily blinded.

Sprays

There are two agents that are commonly used. OC and an OC/CS combination.

- OC Spray

OC spray is more commonly known as pepper spray. It contains the active ingredient oleoresin capsicum. When shopping for OC spray you will find different levels of OC from 2-10%. The higher the percentage the more ‘heat’ in the spray. Some may also contain UV dye to aid in prosecution.

OC spray can be a stream, gel or mist. The stream or gel sprays are intended to be sprayed directly in the eyes and face of the attacker. The mist is intended to place a cloud of the OC agent between you and the attacker, which acts as a type of barrier to facilitate escape.

- OC/CS Spray

OC/CS combination includes a lachrymatory agent, the active ingredient in tear gas. While OC spray is legal just about anywhere (as always check your state and local codes, it may not be legal in CA and NY) the addition of the CS component is not. Byrna (discussed later) reports that they cannot ship their OC/CS projectiles to NY, WI, MI, CA, or MN. I suspect that this combination is not legal in those states.

Deploying OC spray can be problematic. First, if you are not upwind you can become an unintended recipient. Next, deploying it in tight spaces can involve many unintended recipients. In addition to involving more people it may be against local ordinances to deploy pepper spray in enclosed environments.
OC spray may not be effective on all people. That is why some people (myself included) carry the OC/CS spray.

No one is immune from CS spray. It does cause extreme tearing in the eyes and breathing problems. My first experience with CS was in the military chemical warfare training. The second time was when I was discharging an expired container. More on that later.

While CS is very effective it has some dark characteristics. The spray has particles that do not evaporate, they persist. This is one of the characteristics that makes it more effective. The dark side of these particles is that they get in clothing and on surfaces. CS is a dirty spray. When deployed the areas affected have to be cleaned to ensure the particulates are removed. This is why prisons don’t use it for inmate control. We were taught by the military to go home and immediately get undressed and throw our clothes in the wash after our training. Otherwise, our unsuspecting significant other could get a dose of the tearing particulates.

Both OC and OC/CS sprays have expiration dates. I don’t think the contents expire but there is no pressure gage on the containers. After a while the pressure may slowly bleed off. By replacing the spray when it expires you are more assured to have pressure to get the job done.

C02 Pistols

There are several kinds of paintball projectile pistols. These .40 caliber C02 pistols can be loaded with rubber balls or chemical agents. Byrna (https://byrna.com/) sells several pistol and rifle variants as well as three types of projectiles. They have an OC projectile and an OC/CS projectile. Since these are not considered firearms there is no background check to purchase them. They are just one source.

These C02 pistols do not look like paintball guns with the huge hopper on top. They have magazines that hold the projectiles. The projectiles can contain paint or OC. They can be used to do training or for self-defense.

Energy Weapons

- Stun Devices

There are many forms of a stun device. I have seen them in rings, flashlights, and personal defense. These devices require direct contact to the attacker. While contact on skin is optimal it is possible to deliver an effective shock through light clothing. Another aspect to these devices is the psychological impact of hearing the snapping of the high voltage jumping across the terminals.

These devices require the attacker to be dissuaded from further attack. The pain and muscle lock up are temporary. While extremely painful and debilitating the effect temporary and doesn’t normally cause damage.

- TASER

Like the previously discussed stun devices the TASER causes extreme pain and neuromuscular incapacitation. The difference is the TASER fires two projectiles about 15 feet that embed themselves in the attacker. Like the stun devices it is more effective embedded in skin but will still work if the barbs are within 1 inch of the skin. The TASER cycles 19 times per second for 30 seconds. This is sufficient to make a quick escape.

There are many more tools that can be employed. One is a tactical pen. Comment with your favorite.