Mace

from Abraham's Blog by Abraham

Mace is cheap, small, easily concealed and anyone can learn to use it quickly and efficiently. Many states don’t require licensing of mace either. Mace can disable someone long enough for you to make an escape.

Ease of use: Mace is easy to use. It’s easy to deploy, aim and spray. You can give it to someone take them out back show them how to point and squeeze and they will be proficient enough to use it on their own. Please don’t forget to explain to them about being aware of wind direction, wind speed and possible drift. Like anything else you gotta try it before you try to use it under stress. If you carry mace and have never used it, you should try it out today or stop carrying it.

Escalation of force: A good reason everyone should carry mace is that you can use it as another step in your escalation of force continuum. If you ever need to defend yourself with deadly force you will be second guessed. Unless someone is threatening you with a firearm you may be better off using mace and making an escape. If mace doesn’t stop them then you might be able to escalate to deadly force. If you are able to say that you used escalating force it will help to buttress your case later when you end up in court. And regardless of zombie talk and video game fantasies, if you shoot someone you will end up in court. If you are not familiar with the concept of escalation of force or use of force continuum please click on the links.

A use of force continuum generally goes something like this:

1. Escape, remove yourself from the risk.
2. Verbal command to stop.
3. Physical command to stop. Maybe something like holding up your hand in the halt position and saying “back off” or “give me space.”
4. Use of empty hand techniques.
5. Use of chemical weapons.
6. Use of batons, clubs, keys, pens and the like.
7. Use of deadly force.

This one on the use of force continuum from Wikipedia and this from some government authority in Australia. Granted it’s Australia, but the info on p. 6 and the chart on p. 7 are worth looking at if you carry concealed. I like the first model the most. Unlike cops I always expect to be in the defensive position. Point being you can’t use any more force than is necessary and chemical weapons should fit somewhere into your defensive model.

Barter and gifts: BTW I think buying extra mace for trade or barter is a great thing. Mace is also great for gift giving. I would be a lot more willing to trade mace han I would ammo. You barter ammo and you don’t know if it’s gonna come back and haunt you. Trading mace you don’t have to worry so much. Mace can also be stored a long time.

Get extra mace. BTW I should mention that mace is just a brand name like Kleenex or Bandaids. There are all sorts of brands out there. Get what works for you and fits in with your economic

resources.

My Choice: I personally like the Spitfire brand for a few reasons. It has a key chain clip so it is always with me. When I’m driving in my car it’s hanging right there. It has kind of a cool clip so that if you need to deploy it you can yank it right off the key ring. To spray it is a two step motion so you don’t have to worry about it firing by accident in your pocket. The spray comes out in a cone so it’s easy to aim from any direction in any direction. They also sell compressed air refills so you can practice with it. Lastly, you can get refills for it so you don’t have to buy the whole unit again.

First Aid: If you spray yourself flush the area with lots and lots of water. Flush your eyes with plenty of water. If it got on your clothes remove them. Get someplace with fresh air and hopefully a breeze. Don’t rub your eyes or scratch your skin. That will only rub it in and make it worse. I’ve also heard that baby shampoo works well.

Get outside into the woods. Stop. Listen.

Big bird in a big tree. Red tail hawk?

Little bird in little tree.

Original: http://hotdogjam.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/mace/