Stun Guns are very effective tools for self defense. Like any other type of weapon, you should receive professional training in the safe and effective use of stun guns. This section of Bodily Defense is to give you that training. Bodily Defense training is operated and instructed by Rita Rowe-Bodily, a 12-year police veteran and professional in stun gun operations and safety. She has worked for 10 years with stun gun manufacturers in the technical operations and effects of these highly effective tools.

IMPORTANT:
All Stun Guns can injure a person or animal. Use only when necessary. A Stun Gun is NOT a toy. Do NOT Discharge the Stun Gun in the air for more than 1 second at a time as this can damage the unit. Read all enclosed material with your stun gun.

Criminals are looking for easy targets. They want your money, your property or your body. Protect what is yours. The best form of self defense is to avoid situations that make you more vulnerable to crime. Whenever possible, follow these safety tips:

Be aware of your surroundings. Look ahead and around. Don't look down. Don't get distracted from your environment. Looking confident and alert can deter a would-be attacker from making you his victim.

Walk or jog with a friend. Criminals don't like being out-numbered.

Avoid areas that are known to be "high-crime" areas.

Don't carry large amounts of cash.

Of course, it's almost impossible to follow these tips every second of every day. That is why you need a defense plan if you ever find yourself in harm's way.

A Stun Gun or Pepper Spray will do you no good if you can't get to it when you need it or you are not familiar with how to operate it. Follow these guidelines for safe and effective use and care for your self defense product.

1. Read ALL written instructions enclosed with your Stun Gun. The manufacturers have the best knowledge on how your stun gun works. The instructions and warnings printed on this enclosure are meant solely for your protection.

2. Take your stun gun out of the packaging and out of the carrying holster. Hold the stun gun properly so that the contacts (the end of the stun gun that emits the volts) is pointed away from your body. Get familiar with the feel of the stun gun and hold it in a way that feels comfortable to you. Be sure that your hand, fingers or any other part of your person does not touch the contacts.

3. Turn the On/Off switch on. On most stun gun models, a red indicator light will come on, letting you know that the unit is on. Push the trigger button. You will hear the crackle and see a blue arch of electricity as it goes back and forth between the contacts. DO NOT fire your stun gun in the air for more than 1 second at a time. This can damage your unit and void the warranty. When you do this, the electricity has nowhere to go except back and forth against itself. When you press the contacts against an assailant, the electricity is going into that person and is not causing any damage to your stun gun.

4. Practice turning on your stun gun then immediately pushing the trigger button. When you have to use your stun gun, you need to be able to know how to do these two things in one fluid motion for maximum defense. Turn the On/Off switch OFF before putting your stun gun away.

5. Once you are comfortable with the safe and effective operation of your stun gun, place your stun gun in its holster in such a way that you will be able to get it out quickly. Most of our stun gun holsters are designed so that the stun gun can be retrieved quickly and easily. Practice pulling the stun gun out and putting it back in (while the On/Off switch is OFF) so that you are able to use the stun gun in the manner you practiced in step 4.

6. Decide where you will carry your stun gun. It will do you no good to have your stun gun at the bottom of your purse or in a deep pocket where you cannot reach it quickly. Most of our stun guns have a holster, clip or belt strap for your convenience. Recommended places to carry your stun gun include: your belt, waist band, outside of your pants pocket, on your purse strap, shirt or jacket lapel, any other place on the outside of your clothing.

7. There are times when you may be more vulnerable to crime and may want to carry your stun gun in your hand. It's not being paranoid to prepare to defend yourself in certain situations. Some of these situations may include: walking alone at night; walking to and from your car (especially in a darker parking garage); jogging (especially alone); at an ATM machine; when carrying large amounts of cash; whenever you do not feel comfortable with your surroundings.

8. The stun gun must be touching your assailant to work. Your stun gun will penetrate through clothing up to 1 inch in thickness. When you have to use your stun gun, push the stun gun against any part of the assailant's body with the contacts on the assailant. For maximum effect, the best areas of the body to aim for are the neck, torso or hips. Of course, if you are ever in a situation where you have to use your stun gun, you may or may not be able to direct it where you want. That is why any part of the body will still get the effects of your stun gun. Hold the stun gun on your assailant for as long as you need to bring him/her down. The higher the voltage of your stun gun, the quicker your assailant will go down.

9. After you have stunned your assailant, run away to safety and call for help where necessary. The assailant will be in pain and unable to move or control his/her muscles for 5-30 minutes, depending on the person's size, weight and tolerance levels and how long you stunned him/her.

Stun Guns are one of the most effective forms of non-lethal self defense. We, at Bodily Defense, hope you never have to use your stun gun. But if you do, you will be prepared.