Fitness for Self Defense

Whether you buy pepper spray or just rely on your own body to survive a dangerous situation, a healthy, fit physique will help you survive and escape. It’s easy to get discouraged by the challenges of a fitness program, but you can prevail with self-discipline and a realistic look at your personality, lifestyle and goals.

If you’ve been burned by unsuccessful attempts to get fit in the past your first question might be, “If I buy stun guns or other self-defense products, doesn’t that take the place of the muscles I’d need to punch, kick and wrestle with an attacker?” No! A self defense product enhances your physical and mental attributes and can be an “equalizer” when you’re faces with a strong, aggressive attacker, but it doesn’t take the place of your personal attributes. The situation may call for direct body to body contact before you can apply something like a C2 Taser effectively.

Nevertheless, it’s easy to develop unrealistic expectations when it comes to physical fitness. Some of these come from martial arts myths, and others have to do with seeing ripped, powerful mixed martial arts fighters in the media. The worst thing you can do is try a fitness program for a month and give up because you don’t look like a UFC fighter, or you can’t do some fancy jumping kick. Your goal isn’t to be like some guy in the movies, or a professional fighter. It’s to simply improve your physical attributes so that you get a bit more fit every day, and to get used to physical discomfort and develop the mentality to prevail. Any improvement is good, and the healthy discomfort of a proper fitness program helps you develop mental toughness that applies in self-defense situations.

Let’s finish off with five tips for fitness and self-defense:

See a Doctor Before Starting an Exercise Program: Check with your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Your specific medical condition influences how you should exercise.

Use Something You’ll Stick With as Your Fitness Backbone: Zero in on a physical activity you enjoy doing and can do regularly. For example, I love hiking and it’s a rare week where I don’t get out for a long walk. Even if other fitness programs don’t work out for you, your “backbone” is always there.

Don’t Believe That Strength Doesn’t Matter: One of the worst martial arts myths is that strength doesn’t matter if you know good self defense techniques. Whether you learn from a self defense instructor or buy a stun gun, self defense preparations make the most efficient, effective use of your strength – they don’t make strength irrelevant.

Concentrate on the Three Big Fitness Attributes: That’s physical strength, cardiovascular health and joint health. You need all three for best quality of life. Self defense encounters are usually brief and intense, so explosive, short term physical strength is probably the most important attribute, followed by enough cardio to breathe properly in an emergency and run away. Healthy, flexible joints prevent injury and keep you mobile.

Listen to Your Body: If you feel sharp pain or any “funny” feeling, ease off what you’re doing and talk to your doctor to avoid injury.

Get to Know a C2 Taser

The C2 Taser represents a step forward in personal protection technology. Tasers are well known law enforcement tools and some civilians have purchased police models for personal defense, but the C2 is the first model that is specifically designed as a civilian self defense product.

The C2 is useful because it adjusts well-known Taser capabilities for civilian use and adds additional features to make it an ideal piece of personal protection gear. Let’s break these down:

Probe Mode: Like other Tasers, a C2 will shoot a probe that, when it strikes its target, delivers an incapacitating charge. C2 Tasers maintain the shock for a longer period that police models because their intent is to allow the user to flee while the attacker is incapacitated. Once used in this mode, the C2 releases paper strips containing the Taser’s serial number so that police can easily trace the weapon and understand the chain of events.

Drive Stun: C2 Tasers also feature a Drive Stun mode for close range use. In Drive Stun, the Taser doesn’t incapacitate but it does dissuade attackers by inflicting pain and shock on par with many other stun gun models. Keep in mind that the Taser is larger than many of these, so if you’d like an easier to carry solution it’s a better idea to buy stun guns that are smaller – but remember that you need the Taser for ranged personal defense.

Ergonomic Form Factor: Police Tasers are modeled on firearms because police have extensive training in their use, making it easy to transfer the same accuracy and reflexive response to a less lethal alternative. The civilian model doesn’t require this kind of experience, and is modeled on the basic form of a number of household objects – remote controls, hand vacuums and other objects people handle every day – to make it easy to use. The ergonomic handle also allows for use by people with a variety of hand sizes. Furthermore, as the C2 Taser is designed to be dropped so allow escape, the handle design supports this without requiring further disengagement from a handle or guard.

Free Replacement: If you ever lose a C2 Taser in the course of using it to protect yourself, Taser International will replace the weapon for free as long as you submit a copy of the applicable police report. This policy supports the strategy behind the C2 Taser’s use: Activate it, abandon it, escape and report!

These features are designed to ensure that you’ll have no hesitation about using your C2 Taser in situations for which it’s intended. Used as intended, it can not only be very effective, but work hand in hand with law enforcement efforts. Visit us to find out more or purchase your own.

Self Defense Products and Tips for College Students

For many freshmen, college is their first taste of independence, where they’re living on their own, some distance from home and with significant new responsibilities. It can be more than intimidating – it can be dangerous. Let’s talk about the self-defense issues around college life and some of the self defense products and tips students can use to make their lives safer. Remember to check the laws in your area and your college’s policies.

Drinking and Fighting: Alcohol is far and away the most common source of violence on campus, leading to fights in and around bars between students, and students and locals. In many cases this resembles good old fashioned schoolyard bullying and the best thing to do is to resist being provoked. Travel in a group so that you’re less likely to be attacked on the way home and don’t let your friends provoke fights. You don’t have anything to prove, and it just takes a slip on concrete or a weapon to turn posturing into something life-threatening.

If you’d like extra protection, consider buying pepper spray. It’s easy to carry and can be used against a number of attackers at once, giving you a chance to escape. Just remember that no self defense product can compensate for poor judgment. If you escalate with insults and threats in kind, using any self defense product may look like assault.

Sexual Assault: Unfortunately, sexual assault is a persistent threat on college campuses despite improvements in policy, awareness and activism. Traveling in groups is always smart, but be aware that most perpetrators are known to their victims – they’re partners and acquaintances. Keep a close watch over your drinks – never leave them unattended – because you must account for the danger of date rape drugs – and limit your alcohol consumption. Women have a lower physiological tolerance for alcohol, so they may become unexpectedly and rapidly intoxicated when drinking in a mixed group. Finally, make sure there is always someone to “check in” with, who expects to see you by a certain time unless you specifically call in. (This is actually a great tip for general safety, not just the threat of rape.)

Do yourself a favor and take a self-defense course where they cover the specific issues around sexual assault, including use of force on people known to you. For self-defense purposes, a stun gun can be useful, particularly if you keep it on your person – not just in your purse, which might be some distance away if you find yourself in your dorm or apartment.

Theft: Students often underestimate the danger of on-campus theft. Colleges are heavily trafficked, poorly secured and contain the residences of largely upper and middle-class students, making them ideal for professional thieves. It’s also a sad fact that addiction, alcoholism and mental health issues often strike during college years, leading to students stealing to either support a drug habit or due to impaired impulse control. Personal danger comes into play when you interrupt a burglary in progress or have been targeted for mugging.

Learn About TASERs on Youtube

We’ve been steadily adding new content to our Self Defense Products Youtube Account. Right now our primary focus is on the TASERs and Stun Guns we sell through our site. Our CEO David Brackman regularly attends gun shows to tell people about how TASERs work, how to use them, the law, and TASER International’s consumer policies.

We’ve combined several of Dave’s segments into a TASER Guide playlist. All of this material is culled from conversations Dave has with ordinary, interested Americans. That’s our core clientele. Dave does talk to security professionals and other people with a career-driven, above average interest in self-protection, but at Self Defense ATL we work hard to cater to regular folks.

We’re not alone, either. That’s why TASER International created the C2 TASER to cater to this growing niche. More and more Americans want less-lethal options for self defense. This need bridges the gap between popular opinions on self-protection and is common to both those who don’t feel comfortable owning a firearm and people who enthusiastically exercise their Second Amendment rights.

Dave’s talks on the C2 emphasize the features that are specifically designed for civilian use – the product isn’t just about style. For example, the unit releases paper with its serial number to ensure easy tracking by police and even uses a different electrical cycle designed to help users escape instead of closing and arresting in the way a police TASER supports.

Dave’s ability to communicate with people from all walks of life is what we think separates him from other presenters and salespeople, particularly online. So come visit!

Do Stun Guns Work? Watch and Learn

I regularly appear at trade shows to demonstrate how Tasers and stun guns work. Back in March a nice young man allowed himself to get a “taste” of what a small civilian model stun gun does. See for yourself via our Youtube channel.

That was just a little jolt to the hand but it was enough to get a healthy looking guy to double over. Aside from proving that stun guns are effective, this video includes a couple of insights about how they work, and how to best apply them.

First of all, notice how I pressed into his hand? You want to do the same whenever you’re called on to defend yourself. A stun gun is an amazing self defense product but it isn’t a ray gun. You want the electrical discharge to penetrate as deeply as possible, through skin and clothing. Thick clothing may impede the discharge but it won’t necessarily stop it. Nevertheless, press hard and aim for exposed areas.

Second, I went for this gentleman’s hand because the extremities are the least serious body parts to target – but the stun gun still works pretty well. In a self-defense situation you might aim for the neck, upper leg or the spot where the hip meets the torso, but if you’re being grabbed you can attack the arms and work your way in to the torso until you’re free to escape. This makes stun guns excellent for smaller individuals who have been grabbed, since an effective shock to the arm can persuade an attacker to let go.

If you want to buy stun guns and have any questions, contact us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Case Study: Woman Uses Her Stun Gun to Protect Atlanta Area Officer

In January, Tanisha Cross of Lithona, GA did a very brave thing (link to news story): She used her stun gun (what the media have called a “taser gun,” though it was a different model, not a C2 Taser Gun) to help a police officer subdue an attacker. I want to highlight this incident because it represents the very best practices when it comes to using self defense products and highlights the specific advantages you have when you buy a Taser gun instead of a more lethal alternative.

Ms. Cross was on her way to Wal-Mart with her mother when she noticed a man attacking a DeKalb County police officer. The assailant had already stolen the officer’s radio and rubbed pepper spray in his eyes. She grabbed her stun gun, used it against the attacker, and protected the officer until he regained is composure. Eventually, the officer and a nearby security guard were able to effectively fight back.

That’s the story. Now read it at the link, and let’s look at what Tanisha Cross did right:

She asked to intervene: She got the officer’s okay before jumping in. This is important. Situations with police can escalate into life and death struggles, and the officer doesn’t necessarily know who you are. Furthermore, his duty to protect you may outweigh any benefit you can provide. Ms. Cross asked to help, making it absolutely clear whose side she was on, and ensuring that the officer really needed help.

Multiple strikes: Tanisha Cross didn’t treat the stun gun like a “magic wand.” She struck the attacker’s limbs multiple times to keep him from closing in, hitting or grappling with either herself or the officer. This highlights one of the main assets of a stun gun: its ability to prevent a stronger person from taking hold of you.

Weapon retention: Weapon retention was a major element in this altercation. At the time of the attack, the officer was trying to keep the perpetrator from grabbing his gun after losing his radio and in all likelihood (reports aren’t clear) having his own pepper spray used against him. Ms. Cross attacked the limbs, keeping the attacker from grappling for the stun gun while protecting the officer’s firearm: the most dangerous element in the conflict.

If you carry any sort of weapon you must always think of the consequences if somebody else gets it. Police need to carry firearms and you might choose to do so yourself, but having the option of a worst case scenario where someone shocks you with your own weapon instead of shooting you is a welcome option when you exercise your rights.

In short, we salute Tanisha Cross for her bravery, but more than that, we congratulate her form being smart. Applied intelligence is the most important self defense tool in anyone’s arsenal.

Self Defense and Property Crime: A Hot Issue in Atlanta

Atlantans have become particularly worried about crime in recent months, due to a reported rise in property crimes and a number of brutal murders, including the February 10^th killing of cancer researcher Dr. Eugenia Calle. While anecdotes from citizens give them impression that violent crime is on the rise, too, this is disputed by police statistics. Who’s right? For the purposes of this article the answer isn’t important, but one fact is indisputable: property crime and violent crime go hand in hand. In Dr. Calle’s case, it appears that her killer’s motive was money, as he took cash, jewelry and credit cards that he later used in a spending spree.

Preventing and protecting yourself from property crime is one of the fundamentals of self defense. Where do you start? The key is to understand how burglars, muggers and thieves pick their targets, and why they steal in the first place. Here are two landmarks that apply to a great many criminals:

Addiction: Drug addiction is one of the most common motives for serious property crimes. Addicts have trouble keeping jobs, have impaired decision making skills and have a regular need for substantial amounts of money to keep up their habits.

Impulsiveness: Despite movies that show us meticulous criminal capers, most thefts are decided on the spot when an opportunity arises, or out of a sudden impulse, combined with a memory of a likely target.

As a result, you can’t be sure that simply not resisting a theft will ensure your safety. Even though we associate the term “career criminal” with a cool, street-smart professional, the average example is a desperate drug addict who isn’t thinking things through rationally. I’m not saying this to get you to sympathize with him – I’m saying it because this is what makes him dangerous. If he decided he’s going to hit you with a hammer and take your wallet, that’s what he will do, even if you would have given it to him in the first place. That’s the mental “script” he’s thrown together to commit the crime.

In essence, there are two ways to protect yourself from property crimes, or at least keep them from escalating into a threat to your safety: prevention and response.

Prevention: These measures make it less likely you’ll be hit in the first place. Make sure your home’s exterior is brightly lit and you stick to a routine of locking your doors – and you have sturdy deadbolts. In terms of self defense products, home protection tools that send a message that your home is more trouble than it’s worth are highly recommended. These include alarms and door braces. Some thieves will give openings a test kick or shove; if your doors and windows don’t budge, or it looks like an alarm will go off, they may move on to easier pickings.

Response: If the crime proceeds despite your best efforts you need to keep it from transforming into a violent attack on you and your family. Obviously, escape if you can. Gun ownership is a personal choice with pros and cons; exercise your rights at your discretion, but do your research, and take an accredited safety course. As an alternative, you can buy a Taser Gun. The C-2 model is designed for personal protection. If you get a Taser or buy stun guns make sure you get familiar with drawing them quickly and store them safely.

How to Use a Stun Gun

If you buy stun guns from us we hope you never have to use them, but if you do, we hope you do a good job. This time around we’ll go over the basics of using a stun gun properly.

To make a stun gun work you need to understand the principles behind its operation. Contrary to what the name might suggest, a stun gun (or stun baton) doesn’t shoot anything or operate at a distance (get a C2 Taser for those capabilities). It’s a close range electroshock weapon. Current passes through two contact points. When pressed against a target, the current passes through it. This causes pain, muscle contractions and disorientation, though the exact effects depend on the area you hit on an attacker as ell as his clothing and specific physiology.

One you buy a stun gun your first job is to get familiar with the weapon. First of all, never touch the contact points, and don’t let the touch anyone or anything you don’t want to hurt. Second, practice testing the stun gun (a visible current will pass between the contacts) to ensure that it’s working properly. Third, learn how to rapidly disengage the safety. Finally, become comfortable carrying it in your hand with the safety engaged. Our cell phone stun guns let you do this without drawing unwelcome attention to yourself. It also gives you the element of surprise so that an attacker won’t pre-emptively disarm you.

When you need to use the stun gun, disengage the safety and press it against the attacker for one to five second – longer if there’s no reaction. Clothing can interfere with a stun gun’s operation and the current needs to pass between points on the attacker’s body, so don’t just lightly touch – push! Don’t “punch” with the stun gun, since it requires some time in contact with the target. A split second impact will have little to no effect.

The most effective targets for a stun gun are nerve clusters on the attacker’s torso. Many people recommend around the upper hip and below the rib cage. Used correctly, a stun gun will have some effect on almost any target area, however, and you can use it on an arm to persuade an attacker to let you go. Some authorities recommend working from the outside in, by using the stun gun to clear a grab before targeting the torso. The attacker may double up in pain, but remember that a stun gun doesn’t cause full paralysis or incapacitation. It gives you time to escape – that’s it. Use it to get away. If anything more severe happens to the attacker, consider that a lucky margin of safety. Count your blessings from a safe location.

The last importance piece of advice is to remember that a stun gun is not a shield! It’s usually not a great idea to wave it around to try and scare away an attacker. This just prepares them to defend themselves against the weapon and may inspire them to escalate the attack with their own weapon. If you feel threatened enough to let your attacker know you have it, you should actually use it.

Cell Phone Stun Gun Demonstration

You may or may not know this, but Self Defense ATL is on Youtube! Check out our Self Defense Youtube Channel, where we continuously add new product demonstrations and ads.

Today I'd like to show you two videos that demonstrate the Pretender Cell Phone Stun Gun. This is one of our favorite products because it fits our self-defense philosophy to a "T." It's designed for average people to carry around in daily life and use when they need to protect themselves. It's for when it's time to go - not just for show.

Here's an ad of ours with a dramatization of the Pretender being used.



Note that the woman in the dramatization doesn't need to employ much strength and uses the stun gun intelligently - she gets away as quickly as possible. (The next step is to call the police. Remember that even if they don't get the assailant right away, the description and data can help your community down the road.)

The next video is a practical information session with Self Defense ATL's David Brackman.



Here, he talks about its application at close range as well as the integral LED light. This also brings home an often confusing point: Even though "stun gun" is the common name for electroshock weapons, most of them are designed for close range use. Fortunately, their effectiveness doesn't rely on physical strength, so movements that normally wouldn't work with an impact weapon like a baton (such as a pressing motion with no "windup") still delivers the weapon's effect.

The Pretender isn't the only cell phone stun gun model we carry. Our Cell Phone Stun Gun Review page compares the models in our catalog.

Why Cops Buy Stun Guns!

Stun Guns use high voltage and low amperage to temporarily disable an attacker. They disrupt voluntary muscle movements and cause a great deal of pain, leaving enough time for you to get away from a dangerous situation. Most law enforcement organizations make stun guns available to front line officers because of their proven effectiveness.

Let's go over the above statements in detail. First of all, like most weapons a stun gun isn't a "magic wand" and it isn't "setting phasers on stun." Stun guns are trusted because they work on age-old electrical principles. A stun gun (including a TASER's twin projectiles and the prods on a stun baton) has two contact points that deliver the electricity. Many models have a test mode that lets you run a small arc of electricity between the contacts. When that shock moves through human flesh . . . that flesh's owner doesn't like it very much.

Despite the name, most stun guns are actually close range weapons. You must touch your attacker with the weapon's contacts. TASERs are the exception, since their contacts are twin darts that are shot out, trailing a wire to deliver the electrical discharge. The weapon's exact effects depend on its wattage, amperage and the length of time the contacts touch your attacker. A fraction of a second's contact will cause pain and muscle contractions. Two or three seconds is often enough contact time to make an attacker drop to the ground. Past that, the shock might incapacitate the assailant for longer.

The importance of contact time is why Taser International recommends that TASER civilian model users abandon the weapon and run after use (Taser International will replace it if they get a police report about the incident), but their stun guns use projectiles that will stay in the target unless forcibly removed, and deliver the shock even after being abandoned, for a maximum of five seconds.

Remember: Electricity is dangerous! A stun gun isn't as dangerous to the target as a firearm but it can still cause long-term health complications. You shouldn't worry about that when someone's threatening you, of course, but like all weapons, a stun gun isn't a toy and should be used carefully. Make sure you keep it safe, secure and out of reach of your children, but practice drawing it quickly in case you need to use it. Make sure it's fully charged at all times. Finally, be aware of local laws. See our Stun Gun Laws page for legal information.