Protecting oneself is important for many people and nowadays it is part of our lives. Especially in large cities, danger can lurk in the form of assault or robbery, and not only in the evening or night hours, but also during the day. Victims of violent or property crime are mainly girls, women, seniors or other disabled people. That is why various aids for protecting the victim and stopping any attacker are important.
To protect yourself or your loved ones, you can choose a stun gun or a defense spray. If you are facing the question of whether it is better to have a stun gun or a spray, you are in the right place. Let's take a look at it together.
Defense sprays
Defense sprays, also known as pepper sprays, are the simplest means of protection. Their use is very simple. You remove the safety catch, while modern sprays can be pressed directly, and you aim them at the target. Women have also tried using sprays, so aiming at the target is not difficult for them at all. After all, they use spray in the form of hairspray or deodorant every day. You can choose it according to the substance it contains.
We distinguish 3 types of sprays:
- Defense sprays marked CS – contain the synthetic substance CS, they have an immediate effect on the eyes, skin or mucous membrane. However, they are not strong enough and suitable for defense against animals.
- Defense sprays marked OC – Pepper – contain the natural substance oleoresin capsicum – they immediately paralyze the attacker and are also suitable against animals, for example against dogs.
- Defense sprays marked CR – contain a synthetic, irritating substance equal to 30% cayenne pepper content and are suitable against both animals and people.
When deciding which type to choose, it is not that important. It doesn't matter how much of which substance is in the spray, because they all burn very much in the eyes and on the mucous membranes, and it is very difficult for anyone to keep their eyes open any longer. Apparent lack of effect can mean only one thing – that you simply did not hit the attacker's face. The most important thing is to hit the attacker directly in the face, especially the eyes.
If you spend a lot of time in nature or in the forest, it is better to choose defense sprays against wild animals, whose effect reaches up to 6 – 8 meters, where they create a defensive barrier approximately 4 m wide against attacking animals. They contain a combination of substances that ensure immediate and intense burning in the respiratory tract area with a blurring effect on vision. At the same time, they disable the predator's sense of smell, so you can safely make it all the way home.
TIP: Also read our detailed article about defense sprays.
Stun guns
Stun guns are effective self-defense tools. They emit an electric current that, upon contact with the attacker, passes into the muscular and nervous system. They have two electrodes between which the current flows. When you press the trigger and touch the attacker, an electric current passes into their body, even through clothing. It acts quickly and effectively, and there is certainly no risk of accidentally hitting another person. The attacker thus remains confused for several minutes. You can encounter stun guns with different voltages, most commonly ranging from 200,000 – 500,000 V. The most effective devices have 10,000,000 V.
Some paralyzers have a safety lock against accidental activation. An integrated flashlight for self-defense in the dark is an excellent feature. If you are worried about the attacker snatching the paralyzer away from you, we recommend a device with a safety wrist strap and a safety pin. If it is pulled out of your hand, it will simply stop working. Some devices have a built-in pepper spray or a sound siren function to alert people nearby.
You can also choose a paralyzer according to size. Smaller ones are easier to handle and carry, while larger ones can scare off an attacker even from a distance. We recommend smaller paralyzers for women, they are more discreet, can be carried in a handbag, and do not get in the way.
You can choose from:
TIP: Read more about paralyzers and their use.
Paralyzer or spray?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question. Each of these defensive tools has its advantages and disadvantages, which stand out in different situations. Your purchase should be to your advantage, not to the advantage of the attacker.
The advantages of defense sprays include:
- effectiveness from a distance – when using them, you keep a distance from a potential attacker and disable them before they even touch you,
- small size, which does not reveal that you are about to defend yourself,
- an excellent aid against attacking animals,
- you can choose the model depending on where you are going, for example, take the „Jet“ model for a walk in the forest, the „Gel“ model for an elevator, and the „Fog“ model for close range in corridors.
Disadvantages of defense sprays:
- the success of using the spray depends on weather conditions, so in the case of strong wind or headwind you may not be able to spray the contents directly into the attacker's face,
- defense with a spray can be complicated in a small enclosed space,
- the contents of the spray can affect everyone, including you, if you are within range and have no chance to escape.
Advantages of paralyzers:
- if you are already attacked, due to the close distance, defense with a paralyzer is more effective,
- an advantage is the presence of a safety lock against snatching, which ensures the attacker cannot pull the paralyzer out of your hand,
- you can use it multiple times because it can be recharged,
- they do not depend on the surrounding temperature or weather conditions.
Disadvantages of paralyzers:
- a major disadvantage is that they must be used at contact distance,
- it is not suitable against dangerous animals due to the close distance required to use the paralyzer, which is quite dangerous,
- you need to make sure it is not discharged.
Both sprays and electric stun guns can be chosen in a design that doesn't require a special holster. They are equipped with a clip that can be attached to a belt or the edge of a backpack, so they are always at hand when needed. After all, it's unimaginable to carry such a tool with you only to have it buried in a handbag among a pile of items like keys, a phone, or cosmetics. Danger brings panic with it, and in that panic, you might not be able to find the stun gun or spray at all.
Is it better to have a stun gun or a spray?
Have we helped you decide which self-defense tool is better to use and have? If not, we recommend choosing both. Each has a different purpose, and you can combine the methods of defense. It doesn't hurt to have a backup for cases when you don't hit the attacker's face with the spray — then you can use the stun gun. Or vice versa, if you hit the attacker with the stun gun, you can still "finish the job" with the spray. Don't worry, you won't cause the attacker any permanent harm, as they are not dangerous to a person.
