A large portion of self-defense is situational awareness. If you’re aware of your surroundings, you can take advantage of any nearby objects to defend yourself against an attacker. The truth is, many objects can be wielded with dramatic effect against an aggressor. Some of these improvised weapons are obvious, but some will probably surprise you.
Though many of these weapons will be effective and take your attacker by surprise, not all of them are suitable for more than one-time use. Have a back-up plan if you’re using a weapon that doesn’t lend itself to prolonged use.
Ballpoint Pen
Gripped tightly in the first so that only an inch to three inches are exposed, this mundane writing tool can become a lethal weapon if thrust into the eyes, throat, side of the neck, or under the jaw line.
Improvised Batons
This category contains your trusty baseball bats, crowbars, golf clubs, shovels, rakes, and anything else you can grip with one or both hands and swing at an attacker. It’s important to have enough room to use an implement like this, but with adequate space, improvised batons can be used to strike at the head, neck, knees, and elbows with good effect.
Kitchen Tools
Knives are an obvious choice, but heavy pots and pans, glass containers like coffee pots, cutting boards, even something like a heavy baking sheet or mixing bowl could be used to fend off an attacker or make him think twice about continuing his course or action. Coffee mugs and soup cans can be thrown, or held in the hand and used with great effect to strike the face and head, especially the nose or the temples. If you happen to have a hot liquid on hand—boiling water or hot coffee—it can be thrown in the face to scald and temporarily blind an attacker. Salt, pepper, flour, and many other spices can be thrown or blown in the eyes of an assailant, as well.
Improvised Stabbing or Edged Weapons
Everything from scissors to box cutters to letter openers can be used to stab or slice at an attacker. In a pinch, a broken bottle or a shard of broken window glass held with cloth wrapped around your hand can be used for one or two attacks—so make them count and go for the face.
Densely Weighted Objects
Anything that’s got a lot of weight in a small form can be used as a weapon. A heavy vase, lamp, ashtray, or candle holder can be used as a bludgeon. If you have a little time to prepare, a pillowcase containing anything small and heavy—a paperweight, pool ball, canned goods—can be swung at an attacker and potentially used to disarm them.
Above all else, be comfortable with the idea that you may, under some circumstances, have to defend yourself. Be prepared mentally and physically, be creative, but most importantly be bold, and you can turn many situations to your advantage.
To your survival,
Joseph Wilkinson
