| While watching CNN, I saw a very self aware 17 year | | | | assistant) or cell phone, an ice pick, your tire thumper, |
| old girl from California who turned a scary situation into | | | | or a heavy duty flashlight would do the trick. But, if you |
| a valuable example. Evidently she'd been exposed to a | | | | are caught by surprise when walking to or from your |
| safety lesson, self defense course, or knowledgeable | | | | car, you could use your car keys or a pen, if you don't |
| parents who prepared her. She was aware and | | | | have the heart attack gadget or a kubotan attached |
| ready, not a defenseless and vulnerable target. When | | | | to your key ring. |
| she was approached by her attackers, she fought | | | | If you're like me, you've got it all in your purse: cell |
| back with her baton, an item that was an everyday | | | | phone, jewelry, safety pins, tweezers, pens, and a |
| object for her, and it ended up keeping her safe and | | | | fingernail file. Or, inside your briefcase might be a PDA, |
| probably saving her life! | | | | a hardback book, nail clipper, specialty tool, pens, a belt, |
| So, what is in your immediate environment that can be | | | | or an electrical adapter with prongs that could nicely |
| used as an improvised weapon? First, you need to | | | | punch in eyeballs. Think like the TSA (Transportation |
| know the definition of an improvised weapon. It is | | | | Security Administration) and imagine the many uses |
| anything that can be used as a weapon but its actual | | | | for items that have been banned on airlines. |
| purpose is for something else. | | | | Inside your garage, shed, and home, you probably have |
| Take a break and make a mental list of these types | | | | tools, books, sports equipment, hot liquids, caustic liquids, |
| of items that are at your daily disposal in your car, | | | | glass mugs and pitchers, umbrellas, and kitchen utensils. |
| purse, pockets, backpack, briefcase, desk, garage, | | | | These items all have a second use as improvised |
| kitchen, bedroom, office, etc. Plan now so that if you | | | | weapons. |
| are ever attacked, it will come as second nature to | | | | Outside, you may have immediate access to |
| you to use something as a weapon, especially when | | | | branches, rocks, broken glass, or debris - anything that |
| you don't have a real weapon on you. It seems that | | | | could interfere with the attack long enough for you to |
| criminals can quickly think and use items as weapons | | | | startle the assailant and make your escape to safety. |
| on you or your property, so don't give them a chance | | | | In your own yard, it would be wise to hide any |
| to think or act; you be the one who acts so that they | | | | exposed items that could be used against you or just |
| have to react (retreat)! | | | | to be aware of their placement. |
| When you are inside your car, what is the first thing | | | | I always have a real or improvised weapon in hand or |
| you would grab if a road rage warrior smashed in your | | | | close by; not that I'm paranoid, I just like to be prepared. |
| window and attacked you? I would use my visor | | | | You can make a game of locating improvised |
| pepper spray, but that's not an improvised weapon. | | | | weapons wherever you are; be aware and don't be |
| The hard corner of your PDA (personal digital | | | | caught empty-handed! |