Self Defense Products Blog

For the third time in month, a person was attacked in the Lake Phalen area of St. Paul. This time, it was a 23 year old woman jogger, according a story on KARE-11 TV.

It’s sad that some person or persons are intent on targeting people in this area and making them feel vulnerable. Most of these cases have not involved robbery attempts, just criminal assault. I don’t know whether these criminals are frustrated about the economy and have turned to taking their frustrations out on innocent victims, but I do know that is has to stop!

I would love to see one of these criminals run into someone carrying pepper spray or a Taser and getting a taste of their own medicine.

I just saw this story on the local news tonight about a man who had stolen a car. This thief was so proud of himself that he actually called 911 and reported that he had stolen a car and, since he was much smarter than the police, they would never catch him!

Well, he was wrong. The police arrived at his residence the next day and arrested him. You see, the police have this new fangled device called “caller ID”. It lets them see exactly who is calling them and provides the callers phone number, etc. This feature is very useful for determining who called them in case the caller gets disconnected at some point during the phone call. People that need help, or are reporting to authorities that someone else needs help, can get disconnected for various reasons like passing out, trying to escape a dangerous situation like a criminal chasing them, etc.

It turns out that caller ID also comes in real handy when the authorites are trying to locate a REALLY STUPID CRIMINAL!

Maybe it’s just me, but it sure seems like there is a lot more crime these days. I think that when times get tough, Americans naturally do whatever they can to survive. Most of us with an education and some work experience have options regarding what type of work we will accept even in the current dismal state of the economy.

If you’re young and stupid, you probably don’t have many (or any) sources of income to turn to. Unfortunetly, it seems like there are more people turning to crime these days as a way to support themselves. The crime industry is an equal idiot employment opportunity. There are no resumes needed, no job interviews to go on, no sending your resume off into some black box and just praying that SOMEONE will eventually invite you to meet for an interview.

Can you imagine some armed robber holding up a gas station and the clerk behind the window asking the robber “Is this your first robbery attempt? Because you act like you don’t have much experience at this sort of thing. How many robbery’s have you successfully pulled off in the past? Have you actually ever shot a person? I’m sorry, but I really don’t think you’re qualified to pull off this robbery. I think it’s best if you just leave because we would like to pursue some other, more qualifed robbers. If you will just leave a business card, we’ll add your information to our database of other criminals and follow up with you if we have a need for your services within the next 12 months.”

http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com/wildfire.htm

I just registered my new TASER C2 with TASER International and was thinking I made a pretty good investment in the safety of myself and my family. Let me explain how valuable this device is, in case you’re not familiar the TASER C2.

The TASER C2 is a self-defense electronic control device Manufactured by TASER International, the same company that manufactures TASERs used by Law Enforcement personnel all over the world. The TASER C2 is just as effective as the TASER used by Law Enforcement, plus it has some smart additional features which make it perfect for any ordinary citizen to use.

The TASER C2 uses a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy to the small probes that are attached to the TASER C2 by insulated conductive wires with a maximum length of 15 feet. The TASER C2 transmits electrical pulses along the wires and into the body of affecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous system. The energy can penetrate up to 2 inches of clothing, or 1 inch per probe.

How does a TASER work?
The human nervous system communicates with simple electrical impulses. The command center (brain and spinal cord) processes information and makes decisions. The peripheral nervous system includes the sensory and motor nerves. The sensory nerves carry information from the body to the brain (temperature, touch, etc.) the motor nerves carry commands from the brain to the muscles to control movement and can be involuntary in response to the sensory information. An example would be involuntary muscle reaction to pull the hand away from a hot object.

TASER technology uses similar electrical pulses to costs stimulation that affects the century and motor nerves. No muscular incapacitation (NMI) occurs when a device is able to cause involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. It is not dependent on pain and is effective on subjects with a high level of pain tolerance.

Previous generations of stun guns could primarily affect the Senator nerves only, resulting in pain compliance. A person with a very high tolerance pain (e.g., a drug abuser or a trained, focused fighter) might be able to fight through the pain of a traditional stun gun.

Electricity must be able to flow between the probes of the electrodes.

Electricity generally follows the path of least resistance between the probes. The greater the spread between the probes on the target, generally the greater the NMI effectiveness.

Electricity will generally not pass to others in contact with the subject unless contact is made directly between or on the probes.

Electricity can arc through clothing.

Exposure to water will not cause electrocution to increase the power to the subject (electrical charge is fixed inside the TASER device, and will not increase significantly even with environmental changes).

TASER technology uses similar electrical pulses to cause stimulation that affects the sensory and motor nerves. Neromuscular Incapacitation (NMI) occurs when a device is able to cause an involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. It is not dependent on pain and is effective on subjects of the high level of pain tolerance.

SPECIAL FEATURES TO PREVENT MISUSE
Every time a TASER C2 cartridge is deployed, at least 24 small, confetti -like AFID tags are ejected. Each AFID is printed with the serial number of the cartridge deployed, allowing law enforcement agencies to determine the registered owner of the cartridge and track citizen use if ever used in a criminal act.

You are required to complete a criminal background check in order to receive a unique code that will be used to activate your TASER C2. This means that when a TASER C2 has been fired, it will be much easier for the police to track down the registered owner of the device.

The TASER C2, with laser guided targeting, costs $350. It costs another $10 to register your unit with TASER. This is a one-time fee.

The TASER C2 is certainly not the cheapest self defense device available, but I feel this is the most effective, non-lethal self defense device currently on the market and well worth the investment in the safety of myself and my family.

http://www.laneselfdefense.com/c2taser.htm

Stay safe to stay alive,

Steve Lane
Self Defense & Surveillance Shop
http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com
http://www.LaneSurveillance.com

Another week, another disappointing stock market. But, cheer up! I think some long overdue change is on it’s way. And remember, there’s more to life than just money. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, “This too, shall pass.”

We don’t have to look too far to see the signs of outrageous greed that ran rampant during the last stock market bull cycle. Here are just some of the highlights from the last week of media reports that exhibit the excessive greediness of corporate executives:

• The Trustee in the Bernard Madoff bankruptcy case reported that the financier hadn’t bought any securities for the past 13 years!

• The SEC filed fraud charges against Texas billionaire Allen Stanford and two other executives of Stanford Group of selling $8 billion in high-yield certificates of deposit with impossibly high interest rates in a worldwide scheme.

• GM CEO Rick Wagoner was quoted at a press conference stating: “We have to restructure…so we can be viable at a sales level that is dramatically lower than what we ever anticipated.” Huh? You mean GM Executives never considered what would happen if oil prices increased from historically low levels and what impact that would have on their dominant market share position and sales of gas guzzling SUV’s and trucks? Were they too busy working on their golf game to bother with such small details?

• Speaking of General Motors, GM and Chrysler told the U.S. Congress that they could need $21.6 billion more in aid to keep them going. GM said it could need $100 billion in financing if it filed for bankruptcy, and CEO Rick Wagner said bankruptcy would be “risky” and would only be used as a last resort. I wonder what Wagner really means when he says that a GM bankruptcy would be “risky”? Risky for him, personally, and his future salary and earnings prospect perhaps?

• UBS agreed to pay $780 million and identify some American clients with undeclared bank accounts, to settle a tax case and avert criminal charges. But Switzerland’s finance minister vowed that the country’s bank secrecy would be maintained.

But, as Bob Dylan would say, “The times, they are a changing.” Yes, the Federal Goverment is throwing an awful lot of money at our financial markets to try and stop the decline in our financial markets and restore some resembelance of confidence again. As inflationary as the long-term effects of this loose money policy will be, they really don’t have a choice if they have any hope of preventing the global economy from falling into a long, deep and severe depression.

Critics of President Obama’s new housing rescue plan say they don’t want to pay for their neighbor’s mortgage in the form of higher taxes. Well, I don’t think anyone is happy about paying higher taxes, but what choice do we really have? The economy is messed up, big time. We can’t blame President Obama for this because things were already messed up by the time he was elected into office. He could complain about the crappy job that he inherited from the outgoing administration, but he’s not. He’s doing everything that he can to try and stop the bleeding and prevent any further damage from occuring.

Now, to get back to the headline of this long-winded blog post, It was clear from the November 2008 U.S. Presidential results that Americans wanted change. Not just a little tweak, but a major change. Well, change IS coming. It has to, or else we are all dead. Not just the US economy, but the global economy. How can you imagine that a person as insane as Adolph Hitler became so powerful? Germany was weak from the last major recession and people were starving and desperate for change. These people were so desperate that they decided that while Hitler had some radical ideas, nothing else had worked so far. They HAD to DO SOMETHING! So they put this guy named Hitler with some crazy ideas into power to see if that might fix things. And the rest is history, as they say.

Please don’t misunderstand and think that I’m comparing President Obama to Adolph Hitler, because that is NOT WHAT I’M DOING. American’s are smart enough to learn from the past mistakes of others and I think Obama is exactly what America needs right now to get us out of this financial mess without creating more problems down the road.

Just to be safe, you might want to pick up a C2 TASER in case their’s an uprising in your neigborhood…

www.LaneSelfDefense.com/c2taser.htm

A Taser is simply a less lethal alternative to a hand gun. Afterall, you just want to stop your neighbor from attacking you and stealing your stuff. You don’t want to actually KILL HIM, right?

Stay safe to stay alive,

Steve Lane

Self Defense & Surveillance Shop

http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com

http://www.LaneSurveillance.com

When you think of self defense products you typically think about pepper spray, stun guns or personal security alarms. However, there is another effective form of self defense that is not usually considered and that is a safety light.

How Safety Lights May Help

Safety lights are designed to light up the way when you are out walking on a dark night. Not only do they help you to see better, but they also enable you to draw attention to yourself. This may seem like a bad idea; after all, who wants to draw attention to themselves at night when there are potential attackers out there? Surely the attacker will see you and find it easier to attack you? Well surprisingly drawing attention to yourself does not increase the risk of you being attacked, instead it prevents it.
By drawing attention to yourself with a safety light it enables other people to see you. So if you are attacked there is a better chance that somebody will witness what is happening. Help can then be called and your attacker will be scared off. So that is one way in which a safety light can protect you.

By lighting up the way a safety light will also help you to see potential attackers. Often when you are walking late at night it is difficult to see what is in front of you. That is why so many people are attacked because their attacker can see them, but they did not see their attacker until it was too late. By seeing where you are going you will be able to assess the possible risks ahead and that can potentially stop you from being attacked.

Choosing a Good Safety Light

There are different lights that you can purchase but typically the best types to get are the LED versions. You can also choose between flashing lights and simple constant lights. If you use a flashing light that does help to draw attention to you when you are being attacked. A constant light is better to help you to see where you are going. For best results it would be a good idea to purchase a LED light that has the ability to flash but which also has a constant light on it too.

If you want a light which is convenient to carry then you should choose the Cell Phone flash light. This is designed to peel and stick to your cell phone and it can easily be operated whenever it is needed. It lasts for up to 6,000 hours and you can use it literally everywhere. It is small enough to easily carry around and use outside and generally it is one of the best lights available.

If you just want the simplest of safety lights then the LED light is what you need. It comes with seven different flashing patterns and you can choose from three different styles. There is a wrist strap, a bicycle light and a belt clip. It has a very powerful light and the seven different flashing functions will help you to signal help if it is needed.

Overall safety lights may not be able to directly stop an attack, but they can help to prevent them. It would be a good idea to carry around another self defense product such as pepper spray if you really want to protect yourself, or even just a personal safety alarm to further draw attention to yourself in the event of an attack. You can even purchase combined safety alarms and lights and that may be the best option for you.

Mae West once remarked, that it was easy to whistle , you just put your lips together and blow. This is great advice under normal circumstances when no pressure is involved.

Imagine your car is in a parking garage and it is late at night. You begin schlepping to your car and suddenly hear footsteps behind you. You walk a bit faster and you can hear the pace of the footsteps quicken. Off to the right you see a man and a woman walking to their car. You try to whistle but it is not loud enough to draw attention. As the attacker catches up to you the couple disappear from sight.

This is a frightening scenario, but one that happens all too often. Protection involves being prepared and staying free from harm. All things being perfect you could walk down the street any time of day or night without worrying about impending harm.

At this moment crime rates are on the rise and there is not a solution on the horizon. Although we can’t wipe our crime entirely we can lower the incident rate by taking precautions and using self defense tools to protect ourselves.

The electronic pocket whistle is just such a tool. The electronic whistle will scream for attention when you can’t. This handy life saving whistle emits a loud 120db whistle for as long as you push the button. Useful in sporting events, a locator in emergencies (earthquakes, collapsed buildings), referee whistle, traffic whistle for police, military training, dog handling and as a safety alarm for crime prevention. 4 inches long.

Personal Security Advice for Travelers.

Summer is the time of year when millions of Americans take a vacation alone, with a spouse, or with the whole family. The excitement of getting away from your usual routine and doing something different is exciting. Very few people, however, plan ahead and take the proper precautions to protect their personal security at home and on the road. Here is some advice to keep in mind so that you may have safer travels.

Personal Security On The Road

If you are traveling for an extended time, notify family members and neighbors that you trust when you leave and when you are expected to return. Make sure they have your contact information (phone numbers for cell phones or hotels/lodging where you will be staying) so they can reach you in an emergency. Arrange to have the post office hold your mail for you and your newspaper delivery temporarily suspended. You may house plants or a garden that neighbors or friends will need to check on and water as needed while you are away.

Your personal security can be improved if you are well prepared for your travel schedule. Check departure times for trains and planes before you begin your travels. This way you won’t get stuck in the wrong terminals and put yourself at risk of getting lost or losing personal items. Try to choose seats that are near aisles or doors, if possible. Always know the location of emergency exits and alarms.

I know it can be difficult, but try not to sleep on public transportation. This can put you at risk of theft while you are asleep. Also, consider buying some clothing and accessories that are specially made to conceal important documents such as your passport, money, and credit cards. It is important to keep an emergency stash of money hidden on your body away from your wallet or purse, so that if you are robbed you can hand over some cash, and they will not get everything, including the passports and credit cards.

If you need to travel with valuables, keep them out of sight from the public and keep the luggage that contains them close to you. Always make sure that your can see the luggage and if someone does try to take your bag, just let it go.

Your personal security is more important that your valuables, so make sure you do not put up a fight with a thief. You do not know if they are carrying a weapon and you really don’t want to find out. The best thing to do is to research the area where you are going to be traveling and make sure that you don’t have to travel anywhere that is isolated and away from the crowds. Try to blend in as much as possible and you will be taking and extra step in protecting your personal security.

Tags: Crime Prevention, Electronic Pocket Whistle, Home safety, Home security, How to protect yourself from attack, Personal Safety, Self Defense Products, Self Defense Tips

The law tells us that the use of force is justified when it is reasonably believed that it is necessary for self defense against another’s unlawful force. But, you cannot use any more force than is reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

What does this mean? Well, if someone punches you in the face, you are not justified to pull out a gun and shoot him. So, how do you stay safe and remain reasonably protected from being attacked?

Learn Personal Safety Methods:

* Learn to believe in yourself and nurture that belief. You will better trust your strength, wisdom and instincts. You will be more likely to do whatever you need to for self-protection. If you hear that little voice inside called intuition telling you something is wrong, chances are that you are right.
* Face facts. The world can be a dangerous place, and that danger can appear right in your own home or neighborhood. No one is immune to violence and attack.
* Be aware. Know what is happening in the world around you. The more informed and alert you are, the better your chances of protecting yourself from attack.
* Appear strong. Strength is exuded from confident individuals. If you look like you are sure of yourself and believe in yourself, you are much less likely to be targeted for an attack. Criminals, like wild animals, prey on the weaker of the species.

Be Smart:

Do you really think that fighting back is going to help you? When dealing with people who are edgy, wound up and possibly on drugs, mounting an attack will only anger and frustrate them, making them even more violent and dangerous. Defend yourself if necessary, but never instigate a physical altercation.

Don’t assume that you will be attacked only by strangers. The majority of attacks involve people who know each other in some way. Be calm and don’t lose your temper or your self control. Humor and speak calmly to your attacker, but don’t condescend. Do anything you can to reduce the tension of the situation: it may save your life.

Reduce your Risks:

* Know your surroundings and remain in well-lit and populated areas. Pay attention to potential hiding places for attackers.
* Don’t take short cuts through isolated areas.
* Avoid going out alone at night.
* Be sure people you know are aware of your typical schedule. If you have plans that are out of the ordinary, like a date, be sure someone knows when you are leaving and when you plan to return.
* Exude self-confidence in all of your actions. If someone is watching you, this will make them think you could be a problem target that they should avoid.

Learn Self Defense:

You can attend a law enforcement or community class, research the Internet or choose any other method to learn some defensive skills. Then practice those skills with someone. The more educated and aware you are of how to avoid and get away from criminals, the better off you will be.

Protection from an attack can be learned and applied by anyone. It isn’t the size or gender of the attacker that matters most. It is the self-confidence and self awareness of the would-be victim that determines the outcome of an attack. If you don’t set yourself up to be a victim, you have a much better chance of not becoming one.

www.laneselfdefense.com/lipstickpepperspray.htm

Stay Safe,

Steve Lane

http://www.laneselfdefense.com

http://www.lanesurveillance.com

Tags: Crime Prevention, How to protect yourself from attack, Lipstick pepper spray, Personal Safety, Self Defense, Self Defense Products, Self Defense Tips

You are prepared to defend yourself, your family and those you love. So in a situation where any of those things are threatened, you’re prepared to do anything, right? Unfortunately, what happens after the event is over must also be considered.

In the midst of defending yourself, you don’t think hard about what the legal ramifications of self-defense might be. Fear and protective instincts put safety and survival as the first priority. When people attack you, they aren’t concerned about your life. Why be concerned about theirs? Because the simple fact of our society is that sometimes the justice system fails to deliver justice at all.

From the legal standpoint, lethal self-defense can be considered excessive force, even if your life was at stake. There is also the issue of what you are willing to live with morally after the fact. Protect your future while you protect yourself, and choose methods of non-lethal self-defense.

First and foremost, as you’ve heard many times before, the best self-defense is to avoid the situation altogether. Always pay attention, walk with purpose, and chose well-traveled areas. Keep trustworthy company. Don’t be a victim by putting yourself at risk. Moving on from that, if something does happen, make sure you are prepared.

Another reason, besides the legal ramifications, to chose non-lethal self-defense is accidents. When we react in fear, sometimes we may take actions that aren’t completely thought through. You may think someone is breaking into your home, but it could be a family member arriving home late. A loved one can recover from injuries, but a fatal gunshot is forever.

There are a variety of different non-lethal self defense weapons available for purchase, ranging from very mild to extremely powerful. Most options are fairly inexpensive and portable, and most of them easily concealed. They are completely legal and much safer than carrying a firearm.

Pepper spray has been around for many years and is still a popular choice because it is small, discrete and easy to carry in a purse. When sprayed in the eyes of an attacker, it temporarily blinds by causing trigger reactions. The eyes automatically close and begin to water. Other effects are runny nose and coughing. The full effect can be felt for up to 45 minutes, giving you time to escape. Take caution with pepper spray, though. Keep an eye on expiration dates and leaking, and make sure never to spray upwind.

www.laneselfdefense.com/peppergel.htm

Personal alarms create a loud noise that can discourage attackers and draw attention to you. These are the most useful if you are somewhere that others can come to your aid. Remember to be realistic and have another option if no one hears your alarm. Don’t depend on others to rush to your aid. Everyone loves a hero, but nobody like to put themselves in danger.

www.laneselfdefense.com/alarm.htm

Stun guns are also a popular option for non-lethal self defense. These electroshock weapons temporarily disable your attacker through the use of electric shock. A variety of jolt levels are available, from a fairly low charge in smaller flashlight-sized stun guns up to 300,000 volts or more. They administer the electric shock through direct contact. Some stun guns come disguised as cell phones, pens or flashlights.

www.laneselfdefense.com/hotshotstungun.htm

Tasers are also electroshock weapons. Media scrutiny has recently surrounded tasers after several high-profile incidents with law enforcement. While these officers may have used excessive force in those situations, when defending yourself against attack, that matters little. Tasers deliver a shock from a distance of several meters to subdue and temporarily disable your attacker. The shock is more powerful than a stun gun and does not require direct contact. Make sure you practice using your taser before you are in a negative situation. This goes with all self-defense weapons. You don’t want to waste any time when you need to protect yourself.

www.laneselfdefense.com/c2taser.htm

Don’t forget the practical options. Having a small and portable but heavy-duty flashlight allows you to see in the dark and makes a useful blunt object. A good crack on the head is an old-fashioned defense. Another is your cell phone. One of the best non-lethal defense weapons available is a call for help.

Stay Safe,

Steve Lane

http://www.laneselfdefense.com

http://www.lanesurveillance.com

Tags: Taser

Tags: C2 Taser, Electronic Pocket Whistle, Gel Pepper Spray, Personal Alarms, Stun Gun, Stun Guns, Stun Master Hot Shot, Stun Master Hot Shot Stun Gun, Taser, Tazer

You’ve seen it in pretty much every movie ever set in New York City.

The cab whizzes down the street. Then, someone, usually the main character, sticks two fingers in their mouth, and let’s out an earsplitting loud whistle.

The cab comes to a screeching halt. And, life goes on.

This is always a big part of the movie. It establishes the whistler as a competent city dweller. It sets them up as someone who can take care of themselves and gets things done.

Pretty much everyone wants to be that capable.

But the question remains. How do you whistle like that?

It’s supposed to be so simple. And, it is simple if you can figure out how to do it. If you can’t then what can you do?

Depend on the march of science.

http://www.laneselfdefense.com/alarm.htm

Depend on the modern wonder which is the HP-388 Electronic Pocket/Keychain Whistle. This is the simple electronic answer to not learning how to whistle.

It will stop a cab dead on the street.

It’s awfully loud. A ridiculous 120 db, just about the same as an ambulance siren or a rock band. And it keeps whistling for as long as you push the button.

Even better, you can use it for even more than just hailing a cab. Just a few other uses are to use in emergencies, or for a referee’s whistle or a police traffic whistle or for military training or dog handling.

You can even use it as a safety alarm if you’re a victim of crime.

So, here’s your chance to become a movie hero. Even if you don’t learn to whistle, you can still hail a cab with the best of them.

All hail the HP-388 Electronic Pocket/Keychain Whistle,

Steve Lane

P.S. Whether it’s hiking in the woods or walking down the street, one of the best security tools ever is a loud whistle.

http://www.laneselfdefense.com/alarm.htm

The HP-388 Electronic Pocket/Keychain Whistle will make sure that you get heard.