Stun Gun Basics - 5 Tips for Effective Use

Stun guns can be a very effective personal safety tool. They neutralize any difference in physical size and can render an attacker unable to pursue you as you escape the situation. But they must be used safely and effectively. Here are a few pointers.

1) Read the brochure. This is the case with any personal safety item. The use and function of a stun gun may seem straightforward but it is useful and necessary to understand exactly how it is operated. A stun gun works by delivering a shock of somewhere between 200,000 to 1,000,000 volts through the body. This temporarily paralyzes the body by blocking the brain's electrical connection to the rest of the body for just a moment.

2) Make sure to touch the attacker. Stun guns work by running a current through the human body. In order to work both of the poles, the two metal knobs sticking out of the business end of the gun, must touch your attacker. It must be held there for at least a few seconds in order to render your attacker unable to response or pursue you.

3) Understand the safety switch. Most stun guns come with a safety switch. Just like the safety switch on a conventional gun you should keep your gun's switch in the safety on position most of the time. You do not want to reach inside your pocket or purse and accidently shock yourself. But you should also be familiar enough with the switch to be able to quickly switch it when you need to do so.

4) Keep it available. Attackers will not wait politely while you find your gun in your purse or pockets. It is important to have it handy and ready. When you are in a situation where you feel potentially threatened have keep it in one hand. Otherwise always know exactly where it is and how to get to it quickly.

5) Respect it. While generally considered to be none lethal stun guns are still potentially dangerous. It is true that they do not usually kill but they are very painful and can, in rare cases, be deadly. Therefore it is important to practice using it safely but never use it on another person unless you truly are in a threatening situation.

If you understand your stun gun and how it works it can provide very good protection to you. It is most effective when you understand the safety switch, make sure that you touch your attacker and respect your gun.

This article was written by Ray Eddings on behalf of ProfessionalSuppliesForLess.com. For more information about first responder equipment or stun guns please visit http://professionalsuppliesforless.com.