With the tight gun control laws applicable in South Africa many people turn to less than lethal weapons for self defense purposes. Less than lethal weapons are weapons designed to subdue, disorientate or delay an attacker for a sufficient amount of time without having to resort to deadly force. When selecting a less than lethal weapon for self defense purposes many people do not understand the correct application and limitations of these types of weapons and many times end up with the wrong type of weapon or unrealistic expectations of the weapon. There is also often a perception that less than lethal weapons cannot kill and that one cannot be prosecuted when using these types of weapons. This is of course totally incorrect as many less than lethal weapons have the potential to seriously injure and even kill under the right conditions and one may face legal action/prosecution when using such weapons incorrectly.
Following is a summary of the most common less than lethal weapons commercially available in South Africa with their advantages and disadvantages:
| WEAPON | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Pepper spray (mist) | Affects the mucus membranes and causes severe coughing, difficulty to breathe, temporary blindness and burning sensation. May sufficiently disorientate an attacker to allow arrest or escape. Mist spray offers the advantage that it is easier to hit the target and enables defense against multiple attackers. Some types have dye which aids suspect identification. Compact and easy to carry on a daily basis. | Some persons may function through the effects of pepper spray, especially when under the influence of narcotics. Mist may affect innocent bystanders as well as the person deploying the spray if the wind direction is not taken into consideration. Require relatively close range to be effective. If not carried in the ready position, the canister may be difficult to aim under duress. Aerosol canisters subject to loss of pressure over time. |
| Pepper spray (direct stream) | Affects the mucus membranes and causes severe coughing, difficulty to breathe, temporary blindness and burning sensation. May sufficiently disorientate an attacker to allow arrest or escape. Direct stream spray offers the advantage that innocent bystanders may not be affected as the stream is directed only at the target. Some types have dye which aids suspect identification. Compact and easy to carry on a daily basis. | Some persons may function through the effects of pepper spray, especially when under the influence of narcotics. Chances are greater to miss the target. Require relatively close range to be effective. Less effective against multiple attackers. If not carried in the ready position, the canister may be difficult to aim under duress. Aerosol canisters subject to loss of pressure over time. |
| Pepper spray pistol | Affects the mucus membranes and causes severe coughing, difficulty to breathe, temporary blindness and burning sensation. May sufficiently disorientate an attacker to allow arrest or escape. Direct stream spray offers the advantage that innocent bystanders may not be affected as the stream is directed only at the target. Mist type makes it easier to hit target or defend against multiple attackers. Pistol grip makes it easier to aim. Compact and easy to carry on a daily basis. | Some persons may function through the effects of pepper spray, especially when under the influence of narcotics. Require relatively close range to be effective. Aerosol canisters subject to loss of pressure over time. |
| Pepper Gel pistol (2 shot or 4 shot) | Affects the mucus membranes and causes severe coughing, difficulty to breathe, temporary blindness and burning sensation. May sufficiently disorientate an attacker to allow arrest or escape. Does not affect innocent bystanders. Contents are propelled at much greater velocity than aerosol based sprays thus making it more effective against targets wearing spectacles or caps. Effective at longer distance (+- 7m). Cartridges are not aerosol based and there is thus no risk of pressure loss/leakage. Can be reloaded quickly during real life situation. Compact and easy to carry on a daily basis. Devices such as flashlights or lasers can be fitted to the weapon. | Limited to 2 or 4 shots before reloading is required depending on model of launcher. May be lethal if used at distances closer than 1.5 meters from attacker. Requires accurate aim towards face of attacker- easy to miss target. |
| Pepper ball launcher | Affects the mucus membranes and causes severe coughing, difficulty to breathe, temporary blindness and burning sensation. May sufficiently disorientate an attacker to allow arrest or escape. Superior ammunition holding capacity when using a rifle with hopper. Allows area saturation which means that target does not need to be directly hit. Best/longest effective range of all the pepper launchers (+-25m)Pistol types are more compact and can be carried on a daily basis. Certain pistol types only puncture the CO2 propellant canister when the trigger is pulled. This limits the risk of the gun malfunctioning as a result of CO2 leakage. May also be used with other types of ammunition such as nylon balls or rubber balls. Devices such as flashlights or lasers can be fitted to the weapon. | Â Rifles are large which makes it difficult to carry on a daily basis. CO2 propellant cylinders require regular refilling and may leak over time. Magazine fed pistols have limited ammunition and the CO2 canisters are good for about 15 shots only. CO2 canisters of pistols needs to be replaced after use as it will continue to leak. When deployed indoors the person shooting needs to evacuate as he/she may also be affected by the pepper powder which becomes airborne. |
| Nylon ball launcher (scull breaker) | May cause severe injuries and even fracture ribs. Superior ammunition holding capacity when using a rifle with hopper. Best/longest effective range of all the launchers (+-25m)Pistol types are more compact and can be carried on a daily basis. Certain pistol types only puncture the CO2 propellant canister when the trigger is pulled. This limits the risk of the gun malfunctioning as a result of CO2 leakage. May be used with other ammunition such as pepper balls or rubber balls. Devices such as flashlights or lasers can be fitted to the weapon. | Rifles are large which makes it difficult to carry on a daily basis. CO2 propellant canisters require regular refilling and may leak over time. Magazine fed pistols have limited ammunition and the CO2 canisters are good for about 15 shots. CO2 canisters of pistols needs to be replaced after use as it will continue to leak. May cause fatality. Ammunition may ricochet and hit shooter when used indoors. |
| Rubber ball launcher | May cause severe injuries and even fracture ribs. Superior ammunition holding capacity when using a rifle with hopper. Best/longest effective range of all the launchers (+-25m)Pistol types are more compact and can be carried on a daily basis. Certain pistol types only puncture the CO2 propellant canister when the trigger is pulled. This limits the risk of the gun malfunctioning as a result of CO2 leakage. May be used with other ammunition such as pepper balls or nylon balls. Devices such as flashlights or lasers can be fitted to the weapon. | Rifles are large which makes it difficult to carry on a daily basis. CO2 propellant canisters require regular refilling and may leak over time. Magazine fed pistols have limited ammunition and the CO2 canisters are good for about 15 shots. CO2 canisters of pistols needs to be replaced after use as it will continue to leak. May cause fatality. Ammunition may ricochet and hit shooter when used indoors. |
| Stun gun | Intimidating effect (visible electric current). Induces non-lethal electrical shock. Some models may cause temporary collapse of the central nervous system resulting in the victim collapsing. Some models have a built in siren to draw attention as well as a flashlight to allow use in low light conditions. | Various cheap imports in circulation which offers very little protection value apart from visual deterrent. Requires frequent re-charging and prone to malfunction under duress. Can only be used in close quarters combat. Many models only induce a shocking sensation but do not affect the central nervous system thus enabling an attacker to function through the pain. |
| Conducted electrical weapon | Probes penetrate skin and induce electrical current which may shut down the central nervous system causing temporary paralysis. Most types also allow dry stun and fitment of alternative cartridges such as pepper ball or rubber ball. | Models available in South Africa only allow one shot after which a cartridge replacement is required. Chances of missing the target or probes only partially penetrating the skin are high. Thick clothing or multiple layers of clothing may affect probe penetration. Close range weapon and cannot be used against multiple attackers. Require frequent recharging and battery power monitoring. |
| Tonfa | May be used as offensive or defensive weapon. Can also be used to restrain suspects. Very cheap and readily available. | Require proper training and regular practise of techniques. Not practical to carry on a daily basis except if you are in the protection industry and it forms part of a uniform. Close range weapon only except if thrown. |
| Collapsible baton | May be used as offensive or defensive weapon. Can also be used to restrain suspects. Relatively cheap and readily available. Compact and may be carried on a daily basis. | Require proper training and regular practise of techniques. Close range weapon only except if thrown. |
When selecting a weapon one need to consider:
- Type of threat expected.
- Whether you want to incapacitate, delay, distract, disorientate or apprehend the attacker.
- Maintenance required- is there a possibility that it may malfunction or does it require frequent replacement/refilling.
- Ease of use during a real life situation.
- Whether it is practical to carry the weapon on a daily basis.
- Knock down power.
- Effects on innocent bystanders.
It is important to realize that any self-defense weapon will have absolutely no value if it is not carried on your person and if it is not readily available at a moment’s notice. Attacks often happen unexpectedly as the attacker always control the Time, Place and Method of the Attack. The attacker decides when, where and how the attack wll happen. Responding to an attack will almost always be to slow if you are not prepared for the attack. An example: ask a friend to stand with his/her hands ready to clap. Tell your friend to clap when you clap and see whether your friend can be faster than you. You will win every single time because Action is always faster than Reaction. What does this mean? It means that if you are not ready to use your weapon before the attack starts, you will be to slow. It is thus important to be ready for an attack without walking around in fear the whole time.
The way to improve your situational awareness and be better prepared for an attack is through a principle called the AAA Principle. The first A stands for Awareness. It means being aware of your surroundings, especially at areas where an attack is likely to occur. It also means having the knowledge and ability to recognize pre-attack indicators. The second A stands for Alarm. All of us have a built in alarm system. There are no bells and whistles going off but you experience certain sensations due to the effect of adrenalin when your body senses danger. This includes that butterflies in the stomach feeling, trembling hands, shaking knees, dry mouth, tunnelvision etc. Your body warns you to act. Listen to it and act appropriately. The third A stands for Action. This is where you have to do something about the threat. You can either freeze or flee or fight. If you have a weapon, fight means to get the weapon ready for deployment and use it against the target in the correct manner if the attack proceeds. If it turned out to be a false alarm, the weapon scan be put away discreetly without it being used. Generally speaking, it is always best to avoid the situation when your internal alarm warms you. If you recognize pre-attack indicators and you get out of there, it buys you even more time to get your weapon ready, just in case.
It is also important to realize that over reliance on just one self-defense tool/weapon may prove to be a fatal mistake. If you for example need to take out a screw from a wall, you would use a screwdriver. However, sometimes you mag damage the head of the screw and then the screw driver no longer works. You then have to use an alternative tool to try and get the screw out of the wall. You may use pliers or a clawed hammer. You have just used a variety of tools to get the job done because the first tool did not work. The same principle applies to self-defense. You need to have a variety of self-defense options at your disposal to achieve the desired result if one of the self-defense tools has no effect on the attacker or if you are in such a position or place that your preferred self-defense tool cannot be used or where it may be ineffective.
For more information contact:
C.O.B.R.A. Self-Defense South Africa
info@cobradefense.co.za
Cell 082 299 9117
