How to Use Stun Guns
Stun guns make use of a battery in order to create an electric current that can be used against an attacker to enable the user to get away from the situation before the situation becomes more violent. To be able to use a stun gun correctly requires the user to be familiar with the way they work and what they need to do in order to make sure that the assailant is incapacitated.
A stun gun should be tested regularly to make sure that it is working properly and that the battery is still good. A simple test can be conducted by making sure that no part of the body is in contact with the current probes and then pressing the button to activate the device. If the device is working, the stun gun owner will see the current passing in between the two probes.
When testing stun guns, hold the button down for no longer than one second. Stun guns aren’t made to be fired often for long periods and it takes a lot of battery power to cause the current meaning long firings can quickly drain the battery.
Once the stun gun has been tested, touch both current probes to something made of metal. This will allow the current to fully discharge and will reduce the risk of shock to the stun gun owner.
When a dangerous situation can be anticipated, such as being in a parking garage at night or a desolate location where danger could occur, keep the stun gun close to allow it to be used quickly and easily. An assailant will not wait for a stun gun owner to look for their weapon and then use it against them. Keep the stun gun in hand and be ready to use it if danger should present itself.
If the situation does look dangerous, conflict can sometimes be avoided by conducting a warning flash of the electric current. This is done by holding the stun gun in front of the body and pressing the button for a second to show the assailant that a weapon is in hand. This is often enough to keep the assailant from attacking.
If this does not work or if it is not possible to warn the assailant before an attack is made, the stun gun must be discharged against the body of the attacker. This should be done as close to the skin as possible, though light clothing will still allow the current to reach the body.
Make sure that both contact probes touch the attacker and then press the button. If possible, touch the contact probes against the hips or the shoulders to take advantage of the nerves there. If these areas are not available, stun guns can be most effective when held against the assailant’s torso. Keep the button pressed for the time suggested by the owner’s manual. This may be as little as one second or as long as five seconds or more, depending on the voltage of the stun gun.
