Did you ever consider smart phones as part of your self-defense training?
Nearly everyone has a smart phone. They are ubiquitous. They are legal in every state. (At least the last time I checked. Stay tuned for further government interference.) Indeed, some people seem joined to the hip with their smart phones.
They are convenient to carry. They are affordable.
And there’s no doubt that they are useful. You can find your favorite restaurants; where the latest movie is playing; messages in your e-mail inbox. The list goes on and on.
But what do smart phones have to do with self defense training?
Sure, you can always use them to call 911.
That’s obvious. Right?
What else?
Some so-called self-defense experts say you should use your smart phone as a weapon with which to bludgeon your opponent.
How wise is that advice?
True, it may repel your opponent, at least for the short term. But I wouldn’t count on it. It’s going to take more than that to make a vicious criminal cut and run. Worse, you risk destroying your only line of communication to the outside world. What if you can’t outrun or evade your attacker long enough to reach safety?
Instead of thinking of your smart phone primarily as a physical weapon, here is an alternate suggestion to make maximize its defensive capabilities.
I recently came across My Mobile Witness. It’s a free mobile phone service that allows you to snap a picture of a person, place or event and send it to a digital data bank that can be accessed only by law enforcement. That way you and law enforcement have a record of the situation that’s giving you cause for concern.
Clearly it’s useful for real-estate professional, social workers, and healthcare providers who must often go into unfamiliar or isolated buildings and neighborhoods and deal with strangers.
And I suspect it would be particularly valuable for college students, especially co-eds, who may find themselves in uncomfortable situations at frat houses or on Spring Break and the like.
They certainly should be a part of every woman’s self-defense training. Ditto for men.
Whenever in doubt about your physical safety or that of others, call 911 immediately. Don’t underestimate the dangerousness of the situation. Don’t try to be a hero. Let the law enforcement professionals take care of it.
Still, it’s one more tool to consider in your self-defense arsenal. I can’t say that I’ve used it and can report on its effectiveness first hand, but I’m going to let my friends know about it. Definitely worth serious consideration.
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