ATM  machines offer a real convenience to busy people, but at the same time offer an element of risk. Using  ATM machine safely requires awareness and a little common sense. Just because a bank ATM machine is  available 24-hours a day doesn’t mean it is always safe to use it. Most banks do not offer security personnel to guard these machines during non-business hours and statistics tell us that most bank ATM robberies occur at night between 7pm and midnight when the machine only produces 10% of the daily transactions.

Crime data indicate that most Bank ATM robberies are usually committed by males less than 25 years of age and most work alone. ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash. Statistics show that 50% of the ATM robberies occur after the cash withdrawal. Many ATM robbery victims are women and were alone when robbed. Many victims claim that they never saw the robber coming and most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash.

Self-Defense products offer great protection against ATM robberies and especially when the assault turns into a carjacking and or abduction. The most practical forms of self-defense devices for ATM attacks are pepper sprays and personal alarms, as both of these items can be purchased in a key chain or visor clip version.

Here are some tips to use when using ATM machines:
- Only use ATM machines in a well-lighted, open, high-traffic area
- Use ATMs at inside busy supermarkets when possible
- If lights around the ATM are not working, don’t use that machine
- Avoid bank ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places
- When you approach an ATM, scan the area first for loiterers
- Have your card ready and leave quickly, not counting your cash in public

 Last week I saw something at http://www.veteranselfdefense.com/ that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie.  What I came across was a 950,000 volt Runt Stun Gun. 

The effects of the stun gun were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety….?? WAY TOO COOL! 

To make a long story short, I bought the device and in about a week it was delivered to my home. I loaded two AAA batteries in the damn thing and pushed the button.  Nothing! I was disappointed…

I learned, however, that I had the batteries in wrong, so I corrected my error and pressed it against the couch.   AWESOME!!!  Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie (my wife) what that burn spot is on the couch.   Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn’t be all that bad with only two triple-A batteries, right?

 There I was, home alone in my recliner, my cat Gracie  looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the  directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on  a flesh & blood moving target.

 I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought naw, she is such a sweet   cat.  But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong? So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and stun gun in another.

The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would supposedly make your assailant flop on the  ground like a fish out of water.

 Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries. All the while I’m looking at this little device thinking to myself, ‘no possible way would this thing disable an attacker.

What happened next is almost beyond description, but I’ll do my best…?  I’m sitting there alone, Gracie (my cat) looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, ‘don’t do it dipshit, I thought  that a one second burst from such a tiny little thing couldn’t hurt all that bad.  I decided to give myself a one second burst just for hell of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and…   HOLY MOTHER OF GOD . . . WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. .. . WHAT THE HELL!!!

 I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet,  Apparently, I pissed myself, but was too disoriented to know for sure.  Both nipples on fire,  with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my leg.

A minute or so later (I can’t be sure, as  time was a irrelevant thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and tried to remember what the hell just happened.

 My bent reading glasses were on the floor.  The recliner was upside down and about 5 feet or so from where it originally was.  My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching.

 My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip felt like it  weighed 100 lbs. I had no control over the drooling.  

Note: If you ever feel compelled to stun yourself with a stun-gun, one note of caution:

There is no such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself!  You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor.  SON-OF-A-BITCH, THAT SHIT HURT LIKE HELL!!!

Yours Truly:

Stupid Ass

 PS:  My wife loved the gift, and now regularly threatens me with it!   ‘If you think Education is difficult, try being stupid.

Stun Guns

 
Talon™ MINI 80,000 volts
Stun Master Hot Shot 975,000 volts
The Runt Stun Gun
The Rechargeable Runt 950,000v
Stun Master™ 100,000-300,000v
Stun Master™ 625,000 volts
Stun Master™ 775,000 volts
Telescopic Stun Baton 800,000v
Stun Batons 300,000-500,000v
Z-Force™ 100,000-300,000 volts
Cell Phone Stun Gun 800,000 volts
Red & Blue Cell Phone Stun Gun /Pretender Cell Phone Stun Gun
Stun/Alarm Flashlights
Double Trouble Stun Gun
Knuckle Blaster Stun Gun

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

* Make sure your children are ready to care for themselves.
* Teach them basic safety rules.
* Know where your kids are, what they are doing, and who they are with.

ARE THEY READY? CAN YOUR CHILDREN-

1. Be trusted to go straight home after school?
2. Easily use the telephone, locks, and kitchen appliances?
3. Follow rules and instructions well?
4. Handle unexpected situations without panicking?
5. Stay home alone without being afraid?

Talk it over with them, and listen to their worries and ideas. Work out rules on having friends over, household chores, homework, and television. Remember, staying at home alone can build a child’s self esteem, sense of responsibility, and practical skills.

TEACH YOUR “HOME ALONE” CHILDREN

1. How to call 9-1-1 or your area’s emergency number, or call the operator?
2. How to give directions to your house in case of an emergency?
3. To check in with you or a neighbor immediately after arriving home.
4. To never accept gifts or rides from people they don’t know well. (And you approve of)
5. How to use the door, windows, locks and the alarm system if you have one?
6. To never let anyone into the home without asking your permission.
7. To never let a caller at the door or on the phone know they are alone.
8. To carry a house key with them in a safe place (inside a shirt pocket or sock)-do not leave it under a mat or on a ledge.
9. How to escape in case of fire?
10. To not go into the house or apartment if things do not look right- a broken window, ripped screen, or opened door.
11. To let you know about anything that frightens them or makes them feel uncomfortable.

To learn more about safety and self defense, join our mailing list and receive safety tips, self defense tips, child safety tips, and much more.  Just visit www.VeteranSelfDefense.com.

• Have good locks on all doors and windows and USE THEM!
• Ask a neighbor to watch the house while you’re away. It’s a good idea to leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
• Never leave your house key hidden outside your home.
• Stop all deliveries, or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers and packages.
• Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, rake leaves and maintain the yard to give the home a lived-in look.
• Plug in timers to turn lights, a radio or television on and off at appropriate times. This helps to disguise the fact that you are away.
• Don’t announce your absence on answering machine messages.
• Leave your blinds, shades and curtains in a normal position. Don’t close them unless that is what you do when you are home.
• Close and lock garage doors and windows. Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway. If you leave your car at home, park it as you normally would. Vehicles parked outside should be moved occasionally to appear that they are being used.
• Tell your local police you plan to be away. Patrol officers may have the opportunity to periodically check your home.
• Engrave your valuables as recommended in Operation I.D. This simple step will allow your stolen property to be identified and returned to you if recovered by the police.

Traveling Safety

• If you are driving, make sure your vehicle has been properly serviced and is in suitable condition for the journey.
• Try to have specific directions and routes to your destination.
• If you get lost, call the local police for directions or assistance.
• Always keep your vehicle doors and windows locked.
• At stop lights and other traffic delays, leave enough space in front of your vehicle so that you have an escape option in case of an emergency.
• Let someone know the route you intend to travel and your itinerary. This will help authorities in locating you if there is a need to do so.
• Plan your trip carefully and allow for factors such as weather, fatigue, facilities for lodging, food and fuel. Be sure you have sufficient finances, either cash, travelers checks or credit cards.
• Ask the hotel or motel staff about their security measures so you know what to expect.
• Use the hotel safe to store your valuables during your stay or use a diversion safe.

Overview

Non-resistance to prevent physical violence, Negotiate, Stall for time, Distracting or diverting the assailant, then fleeing, Verbal assertiveness, Screaming, and using a whistle or shriek alarm to attract attention and help

The energy stored in the gun is dumped into the attacker’s muscles causing them to do a great deal of work rapidly. This rapid work cycle instantly depletes the attacker’s blood sugar by converting it to lactic acid.

 In short, he is unable to produce energy for his muscles, and his body is unable to function properly.

The stun gun also interrupts the tiny neurological impulses that control and direct voluntary muscle movement.

When the attacker’s neuromuscular system is overwhelmed and controlled by the stun gun he loses his balance. Should the attacker be touching you, the current will NOT pass to your body!

Veteran Self Defense, has a wide varity of stun guns.  From 80,000 volts (Talon Mini) to 1.2 Million Volts (Double Trouble).  Learn more by visiting: www.veteranselfdefense.com.

Stun Guns
Talon™ MINI 80,000 volts
Stun Master Hot Shot 975,000 volts
The Runt Stun Gun
The Rechargeable Runt 950,000v
Stun Master™ 100,000-300,000v
Stun Master™ 625,000 volts
Stun Master™ 775,000 volts
Telescopic Stun Baton 800,000v
Stun Batons 300,000-500,000v
Z-Force™ 100,000-300,000 volts
Cell Phone Stun Gun 800,000 volts
Red & Blue Cell Phone Stun Gun /Pretender Cell Phone Stun Gun
Stun/Alarm Flashlights
Double Trouble Stun Gun
Knuckle Blaster Stun Gun

 Parents…

• Never leave children alone; not at home, in a vehicle, at play, or anywhere.
• Define what a STRANGER is. Let your kids know that just because they see someone everyday (e.g. mailman, paperboy, neighbor, etc.) it does not mean these people are not strangers.
• Teach your children their full name, your name, full address, and phone number, including area codes. Teach them how to use a phone.
• Teach your children the “What if…?” Game, making up different dangerous situations that they might encounter and helping them play out what they would do in that situation.
• Take the time to talk to your children and be alert to any noticeable changes in their behavior or attitude toward an adult or teenager; it may be a sign of sexual abuse.
• Set up procedures with your child’s school or day care center as to whom the child will be released to other than yourself, and what notification procedure they are to follow if the child does not show up on time.
• Teach your children that thier body is private and no one has the right to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. If anyone touches them in a wrong way they should: SAY NO, GET AWAY, and TELL SOMEONE they trust.

For more Safety Tips & Products, visit; www.veteranselfdefense.com

            The demand for defense sprays has become so great that today there is literally dozens of different brands, types, sizes, etc. And, to make matters worse there are three basic chemical compositions used, only one of which is worth considering for civilian self defense.

Comparative Analysis          

Chemical composition

  There are three basic chemical compounds used in self defense sprays:

CS (Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile)

CN (alphachloroacetaphenone)

OC (Oleoresin Capsicum)

OC is the newest of the three, by far the most effective, and the only one you should consider for self defense use.

Comparative effects

CS and CN are irritants to membrane tissue. They cause stinging pain and tearing, and take from 5 to 30 seconds to be effective. In case of persons who drunk, on drugs, suffering a psychotic episode, or otherwise cannot feel pain there may be no effect at all.

For years the field experiences of police officers have been riddled with accounts of total failure of CN and CS products when used as a self defense spray. The reduced ability of CS and CN to subdue those who can’t feel pain, coupled with their longer working time, (5 seconds is an eternity if you’re being attack with a knife), make these two chemicals too unreliable  for use by untrained, possibly physically limited, persons.

 OC is not an irritant. It is an inflammatory agent; and this makes all the difference in the world.

When a person is sprayed with OC, two things happen instantly.

 First, the person eye’s clamp shut hard. Not only that, but if they do manage to force them open they still can’t see because the OC dilates the capillaries and causes temporary blindness.

 Second and immediate fit of uncontrollable coughing doubles the person over because the OC causes instant inflammation of   the breathing tissues, restricting all but life support breathing. OC has the affect of putting up a brick wall between and assailant and the sprayer. As one police trainer has put it, it’s like being hit with a flame thrower! An assailant, who’s sprayed with OC stops what they’re doing, stops what they’re thinking- period. OC works extremely well on animals, although most versions are not made for this purpose.

Other considerations

            In addition to not being as effective as OC, CN and CS take longer to wear off and the chemical residue can last for days. They are both manmade chemicals and are identified as possible carcinogenic agents. Long term skin problem and toxic reactions have also been documented.

OC on the other hand is a natural chemical; a derivative of various hot peppers. It has not been   found to be toxic in any way and absolutely does not harm delicate tissues. The effects of OC, depending on the concentration and the availability of fresh air, take about 20 to 30 minutes to wear off. The assailant makes a full recovery and there are no aftereffects unless the OC spray contains an identifying dye. That usually last a week or more, but is harmless.

Recommendations 

            For reasons outline above the American Security Institute recommends a defense sprays containing OC in any formulation and concentration over a CN or CS based spray for self defense by law enforcement and civilians.

To learn more on selfdefense sprays and other non-lethal weapons, visit.

Veteran Self Defense

Experience has shown us that burglars like many things (mostly other people’s things), but two conditions are preferred by most thieves:

• An invitation, and

• A fast, easy, undetected entry and exit

Burglary invitations aren’t stuffed into envelopes as are birthday party invites; nor do we hang signs on our doors – “BURGLARS WELCOME” – the way we attach balloons to the mailbox. However, invitations are sent and signs are posted which are equally effective. Have you observed the pile of newspapers or how the mail overflows from your mailbox? Other invites you might recognize include:

• Non-maintained yard.
• Keys left in your vehicle while you run into the store.
• Dark or concealed hiding areas.
• Windows left open when you are away.
• Notes left on exterior doors explaining where you have gone.
• The spare house key on top of the door jam. (Did you think no one knew that key was there?)
• Messages on answering machines stating you are away.
• An open garage door.
• Sliding glass door, without auxiliary locks.
• A house unlit night after night.
• Privacy fence.
• Flimsy door latches and locks.
• Basement windows.

After receiving his invitation the burglar also looks for a quick, undetected entry and exit. He will choose the path of least resistance, which affords him the best chance of getting away without being caught. For this reason, most burglars work the night shift hiding under the cover of darkness. This is an opportunity afforded by nature; other access and escape opportunities, which we provide include:

• A large shrub in front of a window
• A dark alley behind the residence
• A privacy fence around the yard
• An unlocked door or window
• A sliding glass door
• An exterior door without a deadbolt lock

There are many ways to prevent burglaries.  Knowledge is by far your most valuable resource.  There are also WIRELESS HOME SECURITY SYSTEM and other self defense products that will give you that added protection and peace of mind.

Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uncomfortable, avoid the person or leave.

Know the neighborhoods where you live and work. Check out the locations of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals, and restaurants, or stores that are open late.

On Foot-Day or Night

·        Stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.

·        Don’t flash money or other tempting targets like jewelry or clothing.

·        Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, not a back pocket. Carry only what is necessary and try not to keep currency and credit cards all in one place.

·        Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.

·        Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the door.

·        Try to use automated teller machines in the daytime. Have your card in hand and don’t approach the machine if you’re uneasy about people nearby. Better yet, only use the ATM machines inside of grocery store, malls, or gas stations.

·        If you think someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant, or lighted house. If someone harasses you, don’t be embarrassed. Loudly say “Leave me alone! Someone call the police! Get away!”

·        Carry a self defense product such as pepper spray or a teaser or stun gun.

Vehicle Safety

·        Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there’s enough gas to get where you’re going and back.

·        Always roll up the windows and lock car doors, even if you’re coming right back. Check inside and out before getting in.

·        Avoid parking in isolated areas. Be especially alert in lots and underground parking garages.

·        If you think someone is following you, don’t head home. Drive to the nearest police or fire station, gas station, or other open business to get help

·        If Someone Tries to Rob You

·        Don’t resist. Give up your property. Don’t risk your life.

·        Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from being victims.

·        Take a Stand!

·        Make your neighborhood and working place safer by reporting broken street lights, cleaning up parks and vacant lots, and lobbying local government for better lighting in public places.

·        Initiate a block watch program in your neighborhood by contacting your local crime prevention unit.

·          Carry a self defense product such as pepper spray or a teaser or stun gun.

Please share your comments or best self defense practics.