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Jordan
Your mind stays focused on your body and the path ahead during a run. Unfortunately, there can be more than obstacles blocking your route or interrupting your exercise routine. There may come a time when threatened with harm from an animal or person, and you will require proper self-defense gear. Preparing beforehand will provide you with defense and security, things that will allow you to keep focused on your running mechanics and pace. Use the following tips and best self-defense gear for runners to stay safe and enjoy your run in peace.
Why You Need to Take Self-Defense Seriously
There are a variety of both domestic and wild animals that you could encounter on your path or trail. You are probably aware of the potential animal dangers on regular exercise routes, but an unexpected encounter can happen anywhere! An agitated or loose dog may perceive you as a potential target or threat and attempt to attack you. Carrying personal protection designed to repel canines, or fend them off as they attack, can help to prevent serious bites.
Animal Threats
Wild predators can be encountered on streets or in parks but are most often found along rural trails. While most wild animals will avoid contact with humans, surprise encounters can initiate an ambush or attack. Depending upon the size of the animal, a mauling could cause serious injury or even fatalities. Many sprays and audible repellents have been designed to end these encounters before they can escalate.
Human Threats
People can also pose a risk for runners. Bright or reflective colors can prevent injury when running in bad weather or low light. Drivers can only react to what they can see, so visibility alerts them to your presence. Most dangerous human encounters involve intentional attacks, however.
Audible alarms can scare off an attacker and alert others to the danger you are in. Sprays and shocking devices help to stop attacks by hampering the perpetrator. Finally, batons or edged blades can turn the table on an attacker. Stopping these unwanted encounters may prevent a mugging, rape, or worse.
Self-Defense Tips for Runners
Exercising should be about fun and health improvement. Taking some time now to prepare for running safety will go a long way towards keeping it that way. The first step towards safer exercising will be to train yourself to become more aware of your surroundings. Many unwanted encounters can be avoided if you use your ears, eyes, and nose to detect possible trouble. Limit distractions that have become part of your routine, and never drop your guard, even on familiar routes.
Get Visible
Bright and reflective running gear offers protection from more than drivers on the road. Providing contrast to your surroundings will allow wild animals to see you sooner than they could if you blended in. Many wild animals, including most predators, try to avoid contact with humans. The sooner that they are alerted to your presence, the more time that they will have to move away from you.
Know Your Route
Take the time to learn the route you use for exercise. Scouting a nighttime path during the day can show you areas of potential concern. Plan to avoid sections that offer poor lighting or are remote. Learn what type of animal dangers may be present on your selected path. If mountain lions are known to frequent the area, you can avoid running at dawn and dusk (when they’re most active).
Be Able to Communicate/Carry a Cell Phone
Krav Maga instructor Dan Gador suggests that active cell phones can be crucial for self-defense for runners. He suggests that it can be put on silent mode if you wish to avoid disturbances, but keep it active. Use it to call 911 in the event that you are attacked or injured. An active cell phone will also show your location to authorities and allow them to find you.
Threat Avoidance
Another step that you can take to eliminate potential risks from animals or people is to avoid them. If you see suspicious characters or a loose dog up ahead, you can find an alternate path. If you notice a wild animal in front of you, allow it to pass or move back until it leaves. Avoidance will be a simple defensive strategy that can help to prevent bodily harm.
Dealing with Human Threats
Sadly, the largest threat you may ever face is another human being. It’s imperative to “prepare for the worst but hope for the best” when running.
Vocalize
Your voice is a built-in defensive mechanism that can be effective in deterring an attacker or getting them to stop. Screaming and yelling alerts others to your danger and may force a mugger or rapist to run away. The “Rape” whistle allows you to use your lungs to produce a piercing alarm as well.
Alarms
Handheld or key-chain alarms can also be carried that produce high decibel alerts when they are activated. Most products designed for this purpose produce noises that distinguish them from car alarms that are often ignored. Remember that screaming along with the alarm alerts others more effectively than the alarm noise alone.
Pepper Spray
Another device that provides you with some defensive protection is pepper spray for runners. The canister is designed to be easy to carry while you run and should be kept within easy reach. Pepper spray for runners will affect an attacker’s eyesight, nasal passages, and skin. Brandishing a pepper spray may make an attacker hesitate and, once used will facilitate your escape.
Stun Guns and Shocking Devices
A shocking device, such as a stun gun, can stop an attacker once they close in on you out on the path. These are close combat weapons that will require you to apply the prongs to the attacker to generate the shock. A handheld taser allows you to keep some distance between you and your attacker at the expense of bulkiness. Locking muscles and pain stop the assault and will allow you to escape.
Batons
Batons are ancient handheld weapons that could stop an attacker with physical blows. Many of the commercially available batons are made with solid materials capable of inflicting a strong concussive blow. Runners will need to carry this type of defensive device in their hand as they exercise, providing instant access. Many newer models incorporate lights and stun gun capabilities into the baton body for a multi-purpose defensive weapon.
Knives and Bladed Weapons
Knives and other bladed weapons can provide you with protection, but keep in mind that they can be lethal. This close combat weapon allows you to cut or stab an attacker once they spring upon you. Brandishing the weapon may cause some attackers to think twice before they attack. A knife may be the most regulated self-defense for runners so keep that in mind before you carry it.
Self-Defense Training
Taking a hand-to-hand defensive course will provide you with martial arts training. This teaches you how to use your elbows, feet, fist, and knees as a defensive weapon. Certain hand fighting techniques can teach disarming or escape moves along with offensive moves like joint locks and leg sweeps. An advantage of martial arts is that you do not require a weapon to inflict blows to stop an attack.
Dealing with Animal Threats
Veteran trail runner Lisa Jhung suggests individual approaches when dealing with animal encounters. Understanding the types of animals, you may confront and how to react towards them is the first line in protecting yourself.
Body protection can keep runners safe on paths where venomous snakes are found. Proper clothing adds layers over your body that the snake cannot bite through.
Dog chasers are a good deterrent against canines that are wandering. They produce a high decibel and/or high-frequency noise that dogs find unpleasant.
Spray repellents, such as runner bear spray, will cause eye and skin irritation that can force a retreat. Products designed as runner bear spray provide stronger dosages than pepper or tear-gas products for humans.
Potential Legal Issues
Keep in mind that it may be illegal to carry some personal protection devices. These laws may be enforced city or statewide. Other running self-defense products may have a size or output restrictions in certain counties or municipalities. Take the time to learn the laws concerning products in the city, county, and state you live in.
Best Running Self-Defense Products
Given your need to be safe while running, the following gear offers great self-defense options while out on your run.
SABRE RED Pepper Gel Spray
Easy to Carry And Use: The compact size of the canister allows it to fit in the palm of your hand. It also includes a hand strap that will keep it in your hand while running. This can prevent hand muscles from cramping and prevents you from dropping them accidentally. The position of the activation button allows it to be operated with the thumb, a feature that makes it ready to use almost instantly.
Strong and Powerful Spray: This American-made product is trusted by the police forces in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. The heat level has been tested to match that found in police-grade sprays, providing ample heat. Its 12-foot range helps to keep attackers at a safer distance.
Pro/Con: The pepper spray delivered by this device is listed as police strength, which indicates the heat level generated by the pepper compounds. Unfortunately, the trigger design can stick, so a burst or two needs to be wasted to make sure it’s working.
VIPERTEK VTS-989 Heavy Duty Stun Gun
Designed for Best Shock Delivery: The handle on this stun gun has finger groves that help to promote a firm grip if this device needs to be deployed. It also has a non-slip rubber coating, a feature that helps to grip sweaty or wet hands. Each of the electrode spikes is sharp, a design element that helps the prongs penetrate clothing. An added feature is the shock plates located along the front sides that deliver a jolt as well.
Powerful Shock Is Easy to Maintain: This device emits a sound when activated, something that may help to intimidate an attacker before it is used. The jolt itself will cause involuntary muscle spasms that prevent an attack from continuing. This will allow you to put distance between you and your target.
Pro/Con: This unit uses batteries that do not require charging, a feature that is handy for forgetful people. If these batteries ever stop holding a charge, the unit will need to be replaced, however.
Langxun 2 Pack Keychain Folding Pocket Knife
Discreet Look and Size: This clever set of knives is built to look like a typical key. The knife blade folds into the key-shaped body and can be hard to distinguish without a close inspection. It offers a blade length that is short enough to keep it within legal limits in most places. A back-lock has been added for extra safety while the blade is in the open position, too.
Durable Design Has Multiple Uses: It is made from stainless steel that will provide plenty of material strength when used. A single edge allows you to open boxes and letters as well as an attacker’s skin. The tip provides a point that can penetrate multiple layers of clothing and can be used for general tasks as well. This knife comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pro/Con: The body design on this knife makes it non-conspicuous, a feature that helps its effectiveness. Unfortunately, the folding design will require time to unfold before it can be used.
Wewalab Electronic Dog Repeller
Ultra-Sonic Wave: The stand-out feature of this dog chaser is the ultrasonic wave that it emits. This wave can be directed toward the aggressive canine by pointing the device toward it. A focused broadcast generates a wave equal to 130 decibels, a noise level that will discomfort even the most agitated dogs. This item will generate the sound wave as long as the activation button is pressed. The manufacturer suggests holding the button down for up to 3.5-seconds per burst.
Flashing LED Flashlight: The tip of the handheld device has an LED that flashes when the dog repeller is activated. I like this addition, as it provides a visual aid that lets the dog know where the noise is coming from.
Pro/Con: This dog chaser uses a sound wave that emits in the direction that you point it, a feature that prevents it from sending those strong waves in unwanted directions. Those ultra-sonic waves are powerful, however, and caution needs to be exercised to prevent permanent hearing damage.
FRONTIERSMAN Bear Spray
Tested Stopping Power: The formula used in this spray provides the maximum strength allowed by the EPA and Health Canada, providing consumer confidence. It delivers 2.0-percent major capsaicinoids, the name given to compounds made from peppers. This percentage indicates a high heat level needed for large predators. Field tested by the staff at Elmendorf Air Force Base and Brown Bear Resources, it packs a punch.
Delivers Large Cloud: Each burst delivers 44-50 grams of repellent, depending upon the size of the canister. This volume of material will generate a dense cloud that spreads out from the nozzle. A distance range of 30-35 feet can be reached, an important benefit considering how fast bears can move. This product is rated to work on brown bears, grizzly bears, as well as polar bears.
Pro/Con: The spray canister is designed to operate up to 30 feet, a good distance to keep a bear at. Its design may cause the contents to go all over when used, though, making a mess.
Conclusion
When it comes to running safety, it is important to prepare yourself for animals and people. Planning and strategies can help keep you safe, but defensive gear is a smart option. Ambushes and surprise encounters require a weapon that can stop the attack. A variety of options are available that match your abilities and needs.
Devices designed to stop human attackers can provide protection at a distance or in close quarters. Conversely, animal devices are distance repellents. The proper gear will keep your run fun and safe!
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