Using a Stun Gun or Pepper Spray

A stun gun is a battery-operated device that gives an electrical shock to an attacker using two metal prongs located on top of the device. It can be used as protection from attackers, muggers, or even your husband, if he's an abuser (don't let him know you have it). The current of the gun interrupts the nerve impulses that control muscle movement. It can cause a person to be disabled for nearly 30 minutes. You should always have your stun gun or pepper spray in your hand and ready for use whenever you are in a potentially dangerous situation such as a dark parking lot or while walking your dog. Other dangerous situations are when your spouse or boyfriend (or in some cases your girlfriend) has shown him/herself to be an abuser. Do not "threaten" him (or her) with it. Just use it without warning. If that person is capable of abusing you, showing it to them will only give them warning. Do not tell them in advance that you have it. These things work because you can use them without warning, giving your attacker, whoever it is, a big surprise when he/she attacks you. You need to touch the stun gun to the person's body because, unlike those used by police, the smaller ones normally carried by individuals do not "shoot something out." You must touch the person's skin (even under clothes), preferably on the upper hip, below the rib cage or the upper shoulder. This is because there are nerve centers there that make the stun gun more effective. But it will still work when touched at any point on the body. Touch the trunk of the body because stunning a limb may only stun that limb without affecting the rest of the body. Doing so will not cause a shock to you, even if he/she is holding you. Hold it there from one to five seconds, however long it takes to incapacitate them and allow you to escape. With a pepper spray, aim it at the attacker (preferably the eyes) and push the button, holding it long enough to incapacitate the attacker. Then run away and get help. Always touch the points of contact to a metal source (without touching the trigger) soon after using the stun gun to "discharge" any residual charge so as not to hurt yourself. On some of the smaller ones using a 9-volt battery, it's a good idea to replace the battery if you held the trigger for a while.