In the 60s and 70s, I was always trying to figure out the answer to my questions about bands. Who was better, the Stones, or The Beatles, or Led Zeppelin? If you could only go see one band which one would it be? Is Mick Jagger or Paul McCartney cooler? Is George Harrison really as good a guitar player as they say? Which guys had the best looking girlfriends? This is one argument with myself that I could never win ” it went on for so long and I never really settled on the answers because they all seemed to be the best at one time or another.

With personal protection products you have the same kind of argument.

Stun, or spray?

What to do?

It’s a hard one to solve. Personally, I carry both, and then a little extra, just in case.

Here is the main viva la difference.

When your attacker is really close to you, I have to say that the stun gun is the best choice, especially if hes already laid a hand on you. Because if the stun gun is going to work, you have to be touching the guy.

If hes not that close, the pepper spray or gel will keep him from getting any closer.

Thats the way it usually goes, but you know that in a real fight it doesnt always go the way you would want it to, and thats why I have three plans. You should too.

If you are attacked, you go with what you have. I realize that not all of you are going to be carrying three different tools. (But it is very easy to do.)

If all you have is pepper spray, that’s what you go with, and 99 out of 100 times it will be all you need. Remember, mooks bail quickly if they find out you aren’t down with their plan. I have scores of emails that tell the story of mooks bailing when shown a stun gun. The cackle sends them running away.

I say carry both. Plus, your something extra can be a metal baton in your pocket or wherever you can reach it easily. Carrying all the tools is like having all those great bands I was talking about as your secret weapon ” they all do the trick, depending on what you need at the time.

But if you’re tooled up, the choices are easy. You’ll know exactly what to do, and it’s impossible to make a bad choice.

Tags: Self Defence