Senior Citizen Self Defense

Since many older adults today live alone and travel alone, senior citizen self defense is more important than ever before. There are many different levels of self defense, from taking martial arts classes, to home protection methods, to basic defensive techniques that can help you get away from an attacker.

Senior citizens face the same crime rates as the rest of the population. Because of this, it can be important to know some basic martial arts defensive moves. While the moves may not serve to beat up an attacker, the fight in itself will turn many attackers off and they'll run away. Your goal should be to escape without harm to yourself or loss of possessions, if possible.

Martial arts can easily help you accomplish this. Find martial arts and defense classes at:

• Local gyms and YMCA's in your area.
• Martial arts schools ([[Tai Chi for Seniors|tai chi]), tae kwon do, karate, etc....)
• Senior center classes.
• Police stations sometimes offer self defense courses.
• Local universities.

There are many products on the market that can help with senior citizens self defense. Even if you are not physically able to participate in martial arts, knowing how to use these products may help you protect yourself and your home.

Pepper spray is an easy way to stop an attacker or intruder, giving you vital time to get away and/or phone the police. Pepper spray is available in a variety of sizes and canister types, but all work the same. You simply point the contraption at the intruder and spray steadily into the eyes. The pepper spray stings the eyes and makes it hard to breathe correctly. Although it depends upon the concentration of the spray, it takes about 3-to-5 seconds for pepper spray to begin working. It will disable your attacker for 15-to-60 minutes. There's also a ring called the Stun Ring that has pepper spray in it. This is discreet, easy-to-carry and easy-to-use.

While some criminals know their way around an alarm system, most do not. Alarms can be a good deterrent to would be robbers or attackers. There are many types of alarms that can be purchased for both home and personal use. Here are a few of the basic types:

• Home alarms that alert a central command center will often phone the police for you when tripped.
• Home alarms that mount onto doors but do not tie into a command center can issue a loud alarm as a warning that someone is entering your home.
• Personal alarms are small and often go on a keychain. These alarms can help gain attention when you need help. You simply press a panic button and they shrill loudly.

Additional home protection measures can include bars on the windows, motion alarms, guard dogs, dead bolts and organizing neighborhood crime watches.

Stun guns can offer excellent protection. Just be sure you keep them in a secure location, out of the reach of grandchildren. Stun guns will zap a would be attacker with a high-voltage, low-amp electrical volt that will disable him temporarily but not cause permanent damage.

You may wonder whether or not you should carry a gun or have one in your home. This is a personal decision. If you do decide to purchase a gun, be sure to take classes and be thoroughly trained on its use and safety. Remember that the wounds from a gun cannot be reversed, such as with a stun gun or pepper spray. You may also risk the attacker getting a hold of the gun. If you have grandchildren or youth who visit, lock the gun up in a secure place with safety devices activated.

There are many different ways senior citizens can defend against attackers. With so many choices, there is certain to be one that will work for your needs.

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