 That Could Save Your Life "Pin It")
If the grid goes down, the ability to defend oneself will be invaluable. In fact, the importance of self-defense will be right up there with food and water. Of course, a firearm is the most effective way to defend yourself from an attacker, but that might not always be possible. For example, if you find yourself in a place where firearms aren’t allowed.
The purpose of this article is to teach you about the many other types of weapons you can use to defend yourself. You can carry most of these anywhere without drawing any unwanted attention, yet they’re effective enough to take down almost anyone.
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Here are 9 weapons that could save your life:
1. Knife
We’ll start with the most obvious weapon: the knife. Knives are everywhere, and almost everyone has at least a couple of them, whether they’re Swiss Army knives or big fixed bladed K-bars. Granted, while a K-bar or similar type knife is likely to draw attention to you, a simple folding tactical knife can be kept nicely concealed in your pocket and can be equally as effective.
A knife can be even more deadly than a gun in close quarters. For self defense, opt for a durable folding knife that can be opened quickly and has a serrated blade with an ergonomic grip.
2. Pepper Spray
Since this stuff is strong enough to be used as a defense against bears, you can bet it will be effective against any human. The inflammatory effect of pepper spray causes eyes to swell and close, making it impossible for the attacker to see anything.
It’s also very cost efficient at only $10 to $15 per canister. That’s a small price to pay for a device that causes extreme irritation to the assailant’s eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
Nonetheless, pepper spray does have some serious cons. When you spray a blast onto the face of an attacker, it’s possible that some of it could get on you as well. This is bad for people with respiratory problems. Furthermore, the chemicals in pepper spray typically can’t stand extreme hot or cold temperatures, weakening its effectiveness.
It also doesn’t work as well in the wind or rain, and could backfire if there’s a strong gust of wind in your face. While you should have pepper spray in your self defense arsenal, you’d be wise to carry an additional defensive item as well.
3. Stun Gun
Many stun guns don’t look like traditional guns so they shouldn’t draw too much attention. Still, you’d be wise to keep your stun gun adequately concealed. A stun gun is not only a non-lethal self defense weapon, it’s a great alternative to pepper spray since it will even work in the wind or rain.
The mere jolting sound that stun guns produce may be enough to scare away attackers. But even if it isn’t, the thousands of volts of electricity certainly will.
4. Cane
A cane is one of the most efficient defensive items on this list. It gives you plenty of reach, hits hard, and it’s far less intimidating (at first) than a baseball bat. Select a cane that won’t break easily and has a heavy handle; hardwood canes with rubber-type handles are usually your best bet.
Just remember that if you plan on using a cane for self-defense, you better look like you have a limp since you’ll look very suspicious if you don’t.
5. Umbrella
An umbrella is a great alternative to the cane and can be just as deadly, but only if you use an umbrella that isn’t fragile. Many umbrellas can break easily if used in a fight, so stick to umbrellas that were build for self-defense purposes like the one in the link. It’s lightweight and made out of fiberglass that hits as hard as a steel pipe.
Of course, you can only use an umbrella when it’s raining or wet outside since you’d look pretty suspicious carrying one around on a sunny day.
6. Belt
A belt is another ubiquitous item that can be converted into a powerful self-defense weapon. For this, you’ll want a wide leather belt with a heavy metal buckle. A belt will give you plenty of reach and the buckle can inflict a lot of damage if you swing hard enough. A belt could also be used to strangle an assailant or tie them up after you’ve apprehended them, tripling its practicality.
7. Tactical Pen
A tactical pen is an item that’s equally at home in your EDC as it is in your survival kit. Any pen can be used as a weapon (look no further than the Bourne films), but a tactical pen is even better. There should be at least an inch of the pen sticking out from your fist in order for it to be effective as you punch holes in your assailant.
8. Scarf
Wait a minute, a scarf? Yes, that’s right. While the scarf is one of the most unlikely self-defense weapons, it can also be one of the most fatal if you know what you’re doing. You can use a scarf as a makeshift garrote or a strangling weapon.
If you’re still skeptical, keep in mind that the French Foreign Legion carry scarves as part of their equipment and have been known to use them as garrotes on tactical missions. The only downside to a scar is that they’re meant for cold weather, so you might look silly wearing one in warm weather.
9. Car Keys
Last but certainly not least, you can also use your car keys as a self-defense weapon. Assuming your keys are non-folding (and most are), then you can use them as a push dagger. While they’re not as sharp as an actual dagger, they can still inflict some serious damage if you use them hard enough, especially if you’re pumped up with adrenaline.
Better yet, you can get a keychain self-defense tool like the one in the link. these are sharp enough to really hurt someone, even through their clothes.
JConrad says
May 7, 2019 at 6:38 pmActually, an umbrella is great for shade on a sunny day.
Candyman says
January 3, 2019 at 2:47 pmHammer, tools, broom stick, sling shoot, bean shooter, saw blades, wife purse, having multiple people at your place during the shtf, just use your imagination you’ll think of something
Thebigdaddyo says
December 23, 2018 at 7:08 pmThe best defense is a gun my choice is a .45 wheel gun. But in line with this article at home I have a fixed blade innocuously hidden within three steps anywhere in the house. A policeman’s maglite is next to every door-way, as is a fire-extinguisher (sprayed in someones face is a great diversion, as well as putting out fires.) In every car on the floorboard is either a long metal shank framers hammer or another policeman’s maglite, or in one – two very large rocks. (You can always explain the hammer as a tool used for this or that and left in the car and the rock, well, you were collecting it) Of course, my daily walk around back-pack has a folding Sparco, a fixed 4-inch knife, a Leatherman and a roll of quarters. SO basically, either at home or on the road, I will either cut you up or beat the hell out of you if I don’t put a hole in you.
Survivor says
June 4, 2018 at 10:22 amSurvival is not for the faint hearted.
Be prepared to use whatever weapons you have at your disposal to protect yourself against an attacker.
Fight dirty because your attacker is definitely going to.
Broken beer bottles make excellent improvised weapons.
So do bricks, pipes and chains.
Following the law is not going to save save you from an attack.
Thomas Johns says
February 10, 2018 at 9:28 pmSome good ideas, and yes anything could potentially become a lethal weapon. The scarf as a garotte is a good idea. My edc, besides my pocket knife is a large cotton bandana. I wrap $5 in quarters in one corner and keep if slightly hanging from my pocket with the quarters in my pocket. The quarters can be used as a cudgel to smack an attacker as well as keeping it from falling out of your pocket. It is a multiple purpose tool as it can be used as an emergency bandage or tourniquete or just to mop the sweat from your brow.
Clifford Ishii says
November 14, 2017 at 4:24 pmHave and carry a Jo staff if you can’t have a gun.
RAY MCKENDRY says
September 17, 2017 at 5:05 pmWell I also welcome this discussion because law and order has broken down as we have left the old moorings that we had in society and we have to have something other than alarm systems in our yards and homes. The home invaders do not pay any attention to them whatever at 2 or 3am! We all have a right to defend ourselves and government agencies, police and neighbours will probably not be able to get to you in time to save you. So I say, all the best to those who have practical advice as to how we can appropriately defend our loved ones and ourselves in the event of a violent attack.
Isabella says
July 8, 2017 at 9:49 pmOkay, some of us live in place like most countries of europe where having a gun is not a option. Walking with a knife in your purse is reason for arrest. How do you make you house save . How to barricade? How to have something that really doesn’t look like a weapon but still can be off help?
Todd says
January 25, 2018 at 5:19 pmFor barricading your home, there’s kits for entry doors that make it virtually impossible to kick it in, of course unless it’s a hollow core. Motion lights sometimes are enough to scare someone away at night, just make sure they’re really bright. A flashlight with a strobe feature can briefly disorient an attacker or home invader, especially if it’s the green laser base. Idk if pepper spray is legal or not where you live, but one with a strong enough compound will stop an attacker for a great deal of time. I recommend learning even basic hand to hand self defense, especially if you’re a female. There’s plenty of options or ideas, but if you never train or plan, all of them are useless anyways. If you need any more ideas or have questions, feel free to ask away.
Bria Lapoint says
December 24, 2018 at 7:14 amCane swords, if they are allowed in Europe. Or take a martial arts class.
Bria Lapoint says
December 24, 2018 at 7:06 amCane sword are lovely. I dont know if Europe allows those. I know some states in the US are somewhat strict on weapons too. If all else fails, buy a DVD on martial arts and learn it.
Candyman says
January 3, 2019 at 2:42 pmIf they want in they’re going to get in. A car can go through the single story houses. Even if your door is blocked. Pepper spray. Or make your own in a small spray bottle. (crushed chili peppers jalapeno anything you’ll find like ghost peppers and everything imaginable crush them up put them in some hot water let them sit for a while in a glass mason jar and then straighten it and then put into the small spray bottle). Hard wood cane. Make it where you can put keys, coins or something in the handle or even a small chain to wrap around the handle. Coin rolls in a sock double sock it. If you know how to fight make yourself some gloves with metal knockles like coins or so on top paint them the color of the gloves.
Gabrielle Paz says
January 9, 2019 at 10:12 amAlso, a big dog that won’t bark at nothing is a great deterrent. I had one, and boy, was he good. When he barked, the neighbors paid attention. He wasn’t a gossip like the others in the neighborhood.
Montana Jack says
June 8, 2017 at 12:00 amThe author had me until he said “if you find yourself in a place where firearms aren’t allowed.” Really?
After a grid-down situation, when life becomes cheap and people will kill you for a can of food, you’re going to be concerned about gun-free zones?
And to all you geniuses who plan on carrying only a knife, baseball bat or some kind of spray, good luck with that. Two-legged apex predators are going to be armed with short, medium and long-range firearms. They’re going to pick you off before you know what hit you. I plan to be equally armed to protect my family, community, and myself.
Bria Lapoint says
December 24, 2018 at 7:13 amThere are states and places where guns are considered illegal. Nevermind that making firearms illegal is against the bill of rights (or the constitution dont hate, its been a long time since i looked at both, but i know its one of the two) Also, other countries have banned guns, some banned all guns and some only certain types.
Wendy says
December 27, 2018 at 5:47 pmAlways remember, the attackers won’t be worried about following the law. It seems that there are deliberate events involving gun shooting that sure seems that they were constructed and delivered to turn people against the right to bear arms and protect themselves, or others. All countries need to wake up and each citizen needs to realize what these bans actually mean for all involved.
rick burkeen says
March 8, 2017 at 7:10 pmI sometimes wonder if people who are so against guns have had their gun rights revoked for a criminal charge or deemed unstable. It would seem the first thought a person in that situation would have is “If I can’t have a gun, I don’t want anyone to have a gun.” And, I would add, that is fairly logical thinking, since you are now at an immediate and severe disadvantage.
Patrick says
November 13, 2016 at 12:06 amAlso,a knife can be used with the right training to not be lethal and help a soft target hold off an attacker as she is retreating and screaming for help. But be prepared to use a lethal cavity thrust[s] [stab] as the attacker rushes and grabs on to her as a final defense. I myself would prefer a knife over any of these other options as you can still fight with the knife even held on the ground under your attacker.
SP says
September 5, 2016 at 10:32 amCheck your local laws, having #1, 2 or 3 on your person or even owning one can be illegal in some states.
I found it odd that I could conceal carry a gun in MA, but stun guns and pepper spray were illegal.
Also, the “personal protection” pepper spray that you buy is not the same as the “bear-stop” pepper spray. Different concentrations/potency. Bear pepper spray will likely stop a human assailant, but human pepper spray likely will not stop a bear (just giving yourself some seasoning for the bear).
Almost all of these weapons require you to be danger-close to what is attacking you, so you better also learn some sort of self defense/martial arts where you are the weapon.
SP says
September 5, 2016 at 10:41 amAlso, don’t believe the TV shows/movies when it comes to stun guns, there are a fair # of people that have little to no reaction to getting stunned (especially if they are on drugs), they don’t necessarily fall down every time and almost never go unconscious.
The “stun effect” only happens while both electrodes are touching the person and you are pulling the trigger sending electricity into them. As soon as you break that connection or stop pulling the trigger, the effect immediately ends and you have a pissed off person that has immediate control of their body again.
Juanita says
January 15, 2016 at 12:38 pmIt can be googled. There are canes that do double duty as they are also stun guns.
Victoria Klingonsmit says
December 31, 2015 at 4:29 pmTry wasp spray as a substitute for pepper spray.
Cheryl says
November 19, 2016 at 4:39 pmA can of wasp spray is so big. Have you ever seen a small can of spray?
J L Smith says
January 5, 2018 at 3:04 pmWasp spray is not to be used on humans. It can be fatal to a human, and YOU will end up in jail. Pepper spray will not work on some people, and definitely will not work on an assailant wearing glasses.
I ask myself, what do the police carry? Their lives are on the line everyday, and their primary defense weapon is a gun. They also do carry other less lethal weapons for various reasons, such as animal attacks, etc. but the average citizen, having no radio, and no back up, needs to be able to reliably stop an attacker before they can kill or maim said citizen. None of the items listed will do that. By all means, have several items handy with which to defend yourself, but, in the end, the best fight is the one you avoid in the first place.
Johninokla says
July 25, 2018 at 4:27 amAre you really worried about what happens to someone attacking you or would you rather get out of the situation alive yourself? I’d rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Aaron StClair says
December 23, 2015 at 11:46 pmGee, anything could be used as an weapon. Better start banning them forks and spoons!
Buddys Discounts says
December 23, 2015 at 6:50 pmNot bad, but Wasp Spray is recommended more then pepper spray since it has a longer range