KNES 154 Final Paper The definition of self-defense would be a defendant using physical force to protect him or herself from injury or death. There are four elements which contribute to self-defense, being; (1) an unprovoked attack, (2) an attack which threatens injury or death, and (3) a reasonable degree of force, and (4) a reasonable fear of injury or death. The self-defense tool I chose to analyze was pepper spray. Pepper spray has been seen to be deemed a less-lethal weapon tool in efforts to stop an attacker. Because the chemicals in pepper spray can cause intense irritation to the eyes, skin and lungs, it is effective in blinding an individual from being able to press forward and commit any crimes they previously intended on committing. Potential victims can use this against attackers in order to be able to run away or gain the advantage they need to protect themselves. Police officers also use this against protestors in efforts to stop mobs from occurring. As a self-defense choice, this is a popular item because it has been proven to work, is relatively inexpensive, and easy to use. The biggest issue that comes with pepper spray and the ease of its use is being able to use it properly. Just because it is an easier form of self-defense to administer, does not mean that training is not necessary in being able to aim your spray properly and using the spray correctly. Pepper sprays have specific mechanisms in place to allow the individual to safely store the spray without it being set off accidentally. Only intentional and correct ways of bypassing these mechanisms will allow the pepper spray to then be able to be used. Many people who purchase these sprays do not read the manuals, and do not have trial runs at using the spray for the first time. This in conjunction with a high-stress scenario of being under attack, can mitigate the usefulness of the spray and prevent you from being able to get away. A lack of awareness can also be a key factor in mitigating the benefits of pepper spray. By not paying attention to surroundings, you can leave yourself at risk for a sneak attack, or not being able to keep distance from someone if you were aware of surroundings. Distance is key in being able to administer the pepper spray. Apart from this, I would still recommend the use of pepper spray for individuals and would consider purchasing one myself. It has been proven to be effective against attackers, and is one of the more non-violent options in being able to subdue your attacker and flee. Basic training and awareness is necessary for it to be effective, and I don’t think that it would be hard for people to learn how to use pepper spray correctly so that they can defend themselves. Companion is an app that helps in aiding you speed the process up of finding help when you could be in danger. By having someone be able to see your location along with other features, the app will try to detect lack of responses as a way of seeing if you're in danger and want to call the police. While this could be a useful tool, I feel that these apps have flaws that need to be worked out, and that calling the police is going to be a better approach. I understand that people like to go out, drink, and have a good time, and that an app like this could be beneficial in getting people home safe. I personally do not like to drink, and I feel that I’m much safer by paying attention to my surroundings sober, and being able to call friends/the police if I feel that I’m in imminent danger. A self-defense concept that I feel is the most important for life overall is awareness. I think surprises are the most dangerous part of an attack, and by not knowing what kind of attack is coming, you do not know what is required for you to defend, or how dangerous the situation is. Attempts at awareness should be practiced every time we step outside in public, and it is always better to have information. By being aware of the spaces that you are in and the spaces you’re about to enter can increase confidence in knowing that you have scanned these areas, and can discern if you are safe or need to tread lightly. Knowing if someone is following behind you can help you prepare situations in your head of how to defend yourself if they decide to attack. You can discern if your walking pace is okay, if you need to change speeds, directions based on the vibes that the space is giving you. Works Cited https://open.lib.umn.edu/criminallaw/chapter/5-2-self-defense/#:~:text=An%20individual%20do es%20not%20have%20to%20die%20for%20the%20force,fear%20of%20injury%20or%20death. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169814120306491
