Saturday, October 31, 2009

Self Defense Products As Christmas Gifts? Are You Crazy?


Initially, don't expect the same joyous expression you are used to seeing on your loved ones face as they rip open the wonderful gift you will give her this year, a self defense product. Maybe it is a Taser C2 or a stun gun, maybe even a canister of pepper spray. Expect her first look to be one of confusion, not elation.

You can expect her first thoughts, not spoken out loud of course, to be along the lines of, "What the heck was he thinking?". After she politely, if not necessarily sincerely, tells you how nice it is, explain to her why you bought it for her. Tell her that you really want her to be safe when she is coming home at night or when she goes for a jog or walk in the park. THEN you will see how much she really appreciates the thoughtful gift.

You might not have thought of self defense products as great Christmas gifts but they truly are. What else could you have bought for the person you love that can help them defend themselves if they are ever attacked? This gift could someday actually save their life.

If you are on a budget there is a personal protection product that you can give that fits your budget. Can you afford $350? Buy her a Taser C2. Can you afford $100? Get her a very nice, high quality, stun gun. $30 is your max? No problem. For less than that you can buy an assortment of Pepper Spray canisters or a Personal Alarm that emits a loud deafening siren that will draw attention when activated.

Manufacturers have finally gotten the message and are designing self defense products with women in mind. You can pick up a "Hot Pink" Taser C2. You can get either a Lipstick Stun Gun or Lipstick Pepper Spray. Both products are disguised to look like every other tube of lipstick a woman might carry. If your loved one likes to walk or jog you might consider getting her a set of walking weights that have canisters of pepper spray secreted inside!

Remember all those Christmas gifts you either gave or received, that of course were very nice at the time, but shortly thereafter you never even looked at again? Or worse yet, forgot where you put it. That will not happen with a personal protection product gift. You can rest assured that the gift that you give will be very appreciated and most importantly actually be used.

You do not have to make that yearly trip to the local shopping mall on Christmas Eve trying to grab whatever gifts are left for your loved one. Buy a self defense product early.

She will appreciate it!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Ninja Weapons - How to Throw a Throwing Star


The throwing star, or shuriken, is a centuries old Japanese weapon that was often used by ninja warriors as an additional weapon to their swords or Ninjato. If used correctly the throwing star can be part of a good martial arts training program.

If you have ever tried throwing a dart at a dartboard you know that it takes some practice to get really good. The same caution should be used as when throwing darts. Don't practice in an area where someone could walk in front of your target unexpectedly and clear the area around and behind the practice target of anything that might break if you hit it. Now you need a target. You can buy a really nice looking target if you want, they are worth it, or you can just use an old sheet of plywood with a target drawn on it.

Next, make sure you choose the best throwing stars for practice. Throwing stars come in many designs with a variety of the number of spikes. If you get ones with more spikes the chances are better they will stick more often. Don't be overly concerned about how sharp the spikes are. In fact, those stars that have a thinner, much duller, edge stick better. The thicker heavier ones can be much more difficult to throw with accuracy.

Start out by standing about 15 to 20 feet from the target. You can move further away from it as your skill improves. Before you throw your first throwing star check your practice area again. Be positive that there is no chance someone could walk into the area unexpectedly and that if you miss the target you will not break anything.

As when throwing anything it is important that your body is balanced and comfortable. You want to stand so that your feet are about shoulder length apart. If you are throwing with your right hand, slide your left foot forward about one foot or so. Of course if you use your left hand to throw, move your right foot forward about a foot. When you throw the star you will be shifting weight to the forward foot.

Throwing the ninja star is relatively simple. Make sure you are holding it firmly between your thumb and forefinger. Bend your wrist forward, just slightly. Bring your arm and wrist toward you until the star is right next to your ear and quickly move your arm and hand towards the bullseye. When your arm is parallel to the ground snap your wrist forward and release the star. The entire time you must keep your eye on the bullseye. When you have finished your throw your arm should be fully extended towards the target. Hold that position until the throwing star strikes the bullseye. Before moving again look at your arm and make sure it is fully extended. If not you can correct your mistake on the next throw.

Don't try to throw your ninja star as fast as you can. Make sure you snap your wrist on release to give the throwing star a lot of spin. Spinning the throwing star is much more critical that throwing it hard. A good spinning throwing star will fly straight and stick in the target.

Don't get discouraged. Just like any other skill it will take a lot of practice. Hey, Ninja warriors were not made overnight!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Hidden Cameras - Buy The One That Is Best For You


There are many factors associated with choosing the right hidden cameras. You want to consider the color, quality of the image, sensitivity to low levels of light, and receivers. These things can help you choose the best camera that works right for you.

Picture this, you walk into a room that is decorated in all colonial furnishings. And there, on the wall, is a bright green neon clock. Do you think anyone will notice it and pay a little more attention to it? Of course they will. The point is make sure you get a hidden camera that stays hidden. They are available in a lot of different colors and styles. Choose one that really blends in with the environment where you intend to put it so that it really stays a "hidden" camera.

Image quality is one of the biggest factors you need to consider when you purchase hidden cameras. The quality of the image should be top of the line. The way picture quality works in video is that it is measured by lines of resolution. The highest resolution is the best quality. Surveillance cameras do not provide for high definition picture quality. That is why you see surveillance videos of robberies taking place that are blurry and hard to see. Get the best resolution possible so you can recognize the person in the video. There is no point of surveillance cameras and tapes if the video is not recognizable.

Hidden cameras also need to have a good light sensitivity or LUX. LUX is the measurement of low light sensitivity. If you have a surveillance camera you want it to work very well in the dark also, not only during the daytime or in fluorescent lighting. Most crimes happen in the dark and you want the camera to be able to provide quality video on a low light day. The lower the LUX is the better the camera will be able to see in conditions that are low in light.

If you choose a wireless hidden camera make sure you get a receiver to go with it. A lot of times if you purchase a wireless camera a receiver will be included. But, make sure you ask as having to buy a separate receiver will add to your cost. Also, if you do have to buy a separate receiver make sure it will work with the hidden camera you purchase.

The quickest and easiest type of hidden camera to set up is one that has the video camera and digital video recorder all placed inside a single object. It could be a clock radio, an air ionizer, you name it. These hidden cameras are really plug & play.

Giving some thought to what you need out of a hidden camera will pay off for you when the time comes that you need it. You want to get one that does what you need it to do. You can use it in your home, your work place or maybe you have a store and want to use it there. When you can identify someone in low light conditions after a crime has taken place you will be happy that your hidden camera did what you needed it to.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Biometric Gun Safe


Picture this scenario –  It is 1999, you and your family are sound asleep in the middle of the night when something wakes you up. You don’t know what woke you but you lie there and listen. Then you hear it. Someone is moving around downstairs!

You quietly pick up the phone and call the police to report someone has broken into your home. You hang up the phone and go to your closet to get your gun safe that you keep hidden on the top shelf. You pull the gun safe down and  you go to open it but in this stressful situation you cannot for the life of you remember the combination! Or, you forgot where you put the key. Not a good situation as you hear the burglar coming up the steps.

Flash forward to 2009 – Same scenario. Sound asleep when you hear a burglar in your home. Your family is in danger. You quickly dial 911 and then you reach under your bed and pull out your biometric gun safe. You place your finger on the pad and instantly the safe pops open and your gun is in your hand! Now, the outcome of this dangerous situation can be a lot different.

Biometric safes use new technology to help us secure our valuables and our weapons.  We see biometrics used every day in the movies or TV. With an eye scanner or retina scan, the biometric system stores the length of connective tissue, rings in the eye and the optical corona. When someone passes through the biometrics, a scanner will "read" the eye and then look for matches against the stored algorithm.

The same thing is true with our biometric gun safe. The unit reads and stores the fingerprint pattern on our thumb or whichever finger we choose and when we want to open the biometric gun safe we simply place our designated finger on the scanner pad. The unit sees that that fingerprint pattern is one that you instructed it to allow access to the safe.

It was not that long ago that the technology of biometrics was only available to certain groups. Today the technology is being used more and more by the entire population.

Now, everyone can purchase a biometric gun safe. It is one of the best methods to store your gun and ammunition because you do not have to worry about unauthorized entry. How many times have we heard a tragic story of a young child finding the key to their parent’s gun safe and … well, the rest of the story is to sad to write.

Do yourself a favor and consider replacing your old gun safe with a new biometric gun safe. You will not have to worry about somebody finding your key or figuring out the combination. The only people that will have access to it are the ones you designate.

Having very quick access to your weapon is important. Keeping your gun out of the hands of your children is also important.

You, and your family’s life, could depend on it.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Reasons You Might Use Digital Voice Recorders


Too many times people come across situations that they wish they had a witness when a conversation took place.  When it turns out to be your word against the other person and no one seems to believe you over the other guy.  You can protect yourself now by using digital voice recorders.

You probably are thinking right now about the times and situations you found yourself in where you would of had a very good reason to use a digital voice recorder. What is nice about one of these is if you get into the habit of using it in certain situations is that you probably will never listen to the recording 999 times out of 1000. But, that one time, when you find yourself with good reason to listen to the conversation again, you will be very, very glad you recorded it.

One of the biggest reasons to carry voice recorders is for protection.  There is nothing like not having any proof over a verbal conversation when you have no way to prove someone is being deceitful.  Work can be a very competitive environment and anyone will throw you under the bus to get ahead in the world, even if it means lying, cheating, or even stealing.  When all you want is to go to work and get the job done digital voice recorders can protect you and your reputation.  Now you can record conversations you have and meetings you attend so there are no issues about who said what.

Another reason to use digital voice recorders is that you need to protect yourself at work by getting the details.  For example, a doctor talks to fifteen patients or more a day.  The best thing a doctor can do is record the conversations with each patient so when they sit and review the charts the information is not confused.  This protects the doctor from not making any mistakes and it protects a patient.

Another reason you may want a voice recorder is if you are going through a divorce or find you may be looking at a legal issue in court.  Situations like this require you to record the conversations so you can protect yourself.  You may be verbally threatened or bribed.  Recordings like this can save you in many ways.  Digital voice recorders are used in so many situations for protection.

You also may wonder what the employees are saying about you when you are not in your office.  If you purchase pen voice recorders then you can leave one on your desk in record mode.  This way you can find out if your staff truly is as honest with you as you think they are.  You learn which members of the workforce are really a part of the team also.

There are many reasons you would use digital voice recorders.  Protecting yourself is very important, especially if you love your job and work with a lot of people who are not very honest. You must protect yourself under all circumstances so nothing happens.  Legal situations also require conversations to be recorded.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Women’s Self Defense and Traveling Alone


Traveling alone is a very common time when women are attacked.  There are many ways to protect yourself if you find that you are often alone.  You should carry products like pepper spray and stun guns with you so you can be prepared if anyone should ever approach you or make you feel threatened.

Traveling alone is the most vulnerable time for a woman because that is when attackers like to strike.  You may have nights that you are required to work late in the office.  Your car may be a distance away down a dark street or parking garage.  Women are attacked too often when they are by themselves.  It isn’t just about being aware of your surroundings but it is also about women’s self defense products.  You may be fully aware of your surroundings and that there is someone following you while you are walking, but if you don’t have a way to defend yourself then it doesn’t matter.

Pepper spray is an excellent choice to protect yourself with when you are traveling alone.  It is a legal option to carry with you and one of the most effective ways of fighting off an attacker.  It will temporarily blind the attacker but the damage the pepper spray does to the body is not permanent.  You don’t have to worry that you have permanently hurt them.  All you have to do is use this women’s self defense product on the attacker and run.  It will give you up to 20 minutes of time to get away.

Stun guns are another device that are perfect for women’s self defense.  A stun gun works by disabling an attacker by stopping their physical capabilities of controlling their arms and legs.  A stun gun has the capability to put an attacker down on the ground.  One thing to keep in mind is that they will disable an attacker for only a few minutes.  You do have to press the device against the attacker for it to be effective.  You will have only a few minutes to get away.  Also, stun guns may not work on an attacker that is under the influence of drugs or has a very large body type.

There are many devices you can carry on you for women’s self defense.  If you find that you travel alone often on business trips or you work late at night, then you should never be caught alone without pepper spray or a stun gun on you.

A device like this could save your life because it will give you the opportunity to get away from an attacker.

Monday, September 28, 2009

A GPS is the Best Hiker Protection



If you are a hiker and you like to tackle the back woods of every mountain you possibly can, it is best to never go on your adventure without having a GPS unit like a WorldTracker GPRS Extreme.  This gives you the ability to know where you are at all times and friends and family at home can also track your progress.

A GPS real time tracking device works by knowing exactly where you are at all times.  They can be set up with software through the Internet so a person can be tracked online also.  GPS devices update every 15 seconds which means that you know the exact location at all times.  They are used as child locater devices and parents will drop one in a backpack and be able to track their child. You can use the device to navigate your trip when you are traveling also.

Using a solution like a WorldTracker GPRS Extreme is an excellent solution if you are an extreme hiker that likes to traverse up dangerous peaks and valleys.  They are extremely accurate and they even work in deep valleys and canyons.  You will never lose your location.  Hikers get lost all of the time when they are in the mountains.  You may think this would never happen to you but the best way to protect yourself is by carrying a GPS.

Another benefit of a GPS for a hiker is that your family members can track you too.  This means that if you fall and get hurt your family members will see this.  They won’t see that you are injured but they will see that you progress has stopped.  This will allow them to come and find you and send help to your location.  You won’t have to worry about lying somewhere injured for days at a time.

Hiking is a fun sport and it is often taken to the extremes by many people.  If you like to hike in the cold winter months or on peaks that are dangerous the best thing you can do is carry a GPS like the Super Trackstick or the WorldTracker GPRS Extreme.  This is the best way to ensure to your family members that you will be fine because they can track you.  In addition, you will know where you are located at all times. Should you take a fall down a steep mountain and become injured or even lost you will not go missing for very long.