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I try not to go tinfoil hat, but this episode is an examination of statistics that prove we are in deep trouble. Not only in the USA but in most of the world. These are facts, not theories or opinions. You need to know this stuff and it’s not talked about in the media, in school or at the dinner table. This should get you motivated to beef up your preparations. Even though I’m a positive guy, I’m also a realist. This show is a dose of reality. Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show

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How do you acquire survival and preparedness knowledge? This episode is based on some information that a prepper from our forum sent to me. His screen name is Thox Spuddy. Please forgive the editing mistake, as the intro to the show states this show is featured on the Gun Rights Radio Network. I accidentally placed that ad in the beginning of the show, because my other podcast, The HandgunWorld Show is indeed on the GRRN. This podcast is not on the GRRN. However, do not let this brief mistake steal the impact of this excellent article that Thox Spuddy sent to me. So this show is how to gain survival knowledge and how to store it in a very usuable format. Also, at the end, I do a quick review on my newest pocket knife, the Benchmade Griptilian, Mel Pardue edition. Thanks for listening, Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show

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Talking to your kids about survival and preparedness can be challenging at times. Todays generation doesn’t seemed to be concerned with it as much as those of us over 30. So this episode is about some ideas derived from my experience in getting my 13 year old son intersted in preparedness. I will give you some suggestions and let you take it from there, obviously. This is strictly based on my own experience and what works in my family, but perhaps some of it may apply to you and your family. Thanks for downloading and listening and don’t forget to join our forum! Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show

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How do you heat your home? Do you have back up heating systems? This episode is a guest podcast by a listener and member of our forum. He goes by the user name AGreyMan and he lives in rural Wisconsin. So during this cold weather season, preppers look for low cost methods of heating their home and backing up their primary heating system. So tune in for a very informative episode. And many thanks to AGreyMan for putting this together. Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show.

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Back by popular demand, I couldn’t stay away as long as I thought. So with the encouragement of some listeners and perhaps a new format for this show, coming soon in the future, I decided to go ahead with Episode 170. In this episode I take you into the new year by discussing some tips on creating a long term food storage and increasing the every important practical preparedness skill of storing the necessary food you may need. As usual, this is a no tin foil hat, common sense approach to food storage. Also, a special call out to listeners. Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show. Happy New Year!

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Survivalists sometimes struggle with the decision on what gifts to give people that are preparedness in nature. So during this time of the year, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about giving your time as a gift. Perhaps there’s a preparedness skill you posess that could benefit someone else? I also realize we all have a limited amount of time, so I also discuss some time management in this episode. That’s a subject not discussed very often on survival forums or podcasts. Also, stay tuned for a special announcement at the end of this episode. Thanks for downloading and listening, Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show

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How do you make your home work for you? In this episode I interview Dan Vamos, host of the Homestead Dividends Podcast. We discuss numerous topics such as drip irrigation, getting another year out of your car, do it yourself home repairs, how to increase the value of your home even in this terrible economy, what to do about bad neighbors, simplifying your life, how to use a 3 ring binder for organizing, saving plant receipts and even why the wait time in the ER are so long! Really good stuff, I know you’ll enjoy this interview. Thanks for downloading and listening. Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show

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I’m sure you’ve heard the term fight or flight? In this episode, I discuss the details of what the fight or flight instinct is and how it can help you and sometimes hurt you in a survival situation. I take the position that survivalism is an every day life style. Not just something you do when disaster strikes. Often times we find ourselves in fight or flight mode even if there is not physical threat. In can be detrimental or an advantage depending on how you deal with it. So this episode is based on an article by Dr. Neil Neimark, M.D. I will put a link to his article on the forum. It’s a must read after you listen to this show. I also address some listener feedback and questions. Thanks for listening, Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show

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The world may seem like a safe place to some, but most common sense survivalists or preppers realize that there is a need for self defense at some point. Many times guns are not an option. So in this episode I look at some self defense weapons that are non lethal but very effective. Joseph Morris wrote a guest post on this webpage and on our forum, you can read it in it’s entirety in the post prior to this podcast post. But in case you’re not following my website, I decided to make a podcast out of it and add some of my own material to it. I discuss stun guns, pepper spray, tasers, flashlights, kubotans and even knives. Also, please remember to join the forum here at TSS and join the Survival Champion’s Club. Thanks, Bob Mayne, Today’s Survival Show

Pros and Cons of The 3 Most Popular Non-Lethal Self-Defense Weapons

Life today should be safe. And, in regard to the personal safety of the individual walking down the street, whether through city or town, or a trail in the back-woods of the countryside, it is. However, following the old adage of “better safe than sorry” is prudent. Society is learning to apply the precautionary principle to new innovations and policies. So, too, can the individual, to their personal safety, by acquiring and learning how to use self-defense weapons.

There are myriad self-defense weapons from which to choose. The means by which they disable an attacker, the force of their impact, their ease of use and their price varies. The man or woman that makes the decision to purchase a self-defense weapon should be aware of the pros and cons of the most popular choices available to them.

Stun Guns

The term “stun gun” refers to an elecroshock weapon, a small incapacitant device that renders an attacker ineffectual thorough pain and the temporary disruption of superficial muscle function, by delivering a powerful electrical shock. Stun guns may resemble small, hand-held “guns”, or take the form of batons, belts or electrically charged projectiles.

Pros of Stun Guns

• Means of incapacitation. Although stun guns inflict pain, their primary, intended means of incapacitating an attacker is through the “stun” affect – the temporary paralysis of muscle function and resulting confusion caused by the surge of high voltage.
• Cost. Stun guns are inexpensive, often under fifty dollars, making them affordable for most individuals.
• Size and discretion. Stun guns have a small, discreet profile, allowing them to remain hidden in a purse, backpack, pocket or the palm of the hand. Their size means that they are light in weight and can be rapidly deployed. In addition, new fabrication techniques mean that stun guns can be housed in casing that resembles innocuous devices, such as cellular phones, pens and flashlights.

Cons of Stun Guns

• Limited range. This is the primary drawback of stun guns. With the exception of projectile-type devices and the branded Taser product (which fires probes – that embed themselves in an attacker’s skin – attached to flexible wires), stun guns operate only at close range; they must be deployed when the assailant is close enough to touch.
• The chance of being overpowered. If the assailant has a more powerful weapon with a longer reach, long arms or is large in stature, the possibility exists that the victim could be overpowered if relying solely on a stun gun.
• Battery life. Stun guns, through their electronic circuitry, can take the relatively low voltage of one or two batteries and multiply it many times. This means, however, that users must ensure the battery has ample power in it, and carry extra batteries on their person.

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is a chemical agent that severely irritates the eyes, causing pain, tears and – potentially – temporary blindness. It is derived from the Capsicum family of plants – members of the Nightshade family, which includes hot peppers. Their primary compound, when concentrated and pressurized, makes pepper spray an effective, non-lethal self-defense weapon.

Pros of Pepper Spray

• Portability and discretion. Pepper spray comes in many shapes and sizes; the commonality shared is that they are all small. Pepper spray be carried easily in any sort of bag, pocket – or remain hand-held if travelling in a high-risk area.
• Versatility. Pepper spray comes “disguised” – as lipstick, pens, and even walking-weights, allowing it to be withdrawn at a moment’s notice or held in the hand continuously without drawing undue attention to the user. Some models come with holsters, allowing it to be deployed rapidly, much like a firearm.
• Range of use. Unlike stun guns, pepper spray may be used from distances of 8 feet – or further, up to 20 feet – from the attacker, keeping the victim out of harm’s way and giving them time to escape. Pepper spray canisters are usually multi-use; each unit provides at least several sprays.
• Affordability. Pepper spray is an inexpensive means of arming oneself with a non-lethal weapon. Even police-grade sprays are often found for under thirty dollars.

Cons of Pepper Spray

• Affected by the wind. Although pepper spray can be deployed at a safe distance from an attacker, its nature – that of a pressurized spray – leaves it vulnerable to the wind. If it is a windy day, and especially if the wind is blowing toward the victim or to the left or right of the attacker, the pepper spray’s effective range and accuracy, and the safety of the user, may be reduced.
• Locking mechanisms. Pepper spray may include a locking mechanism – much like the “safety” on a firearm – to prevent accidental discharge. This is an important feature, but one which requires that the user practice disabling it quickly. Panicking during an attack without having adequately practiced how to unlock the safety mechanism and discharge the spray can leave a person more vulnerable.
• Risk of explosion. Some highly pressurized aerosol pepper sprays carry the slight risk of explosion when exposed to high levels of heat or direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.

The Kubotan

Unlike the last two self-defense weapons discussed, the Kubotan is a close-quarter device which requires direct, forceful contact with an assailant. As such, it is not prone to some of the limitations of stun guns or pepper spray, but requires more training to use competently. The Kubotan is a small stick, typically 5.5” in length, made of a hard material such as molded plastic, with more aggressive variants made of metal, some including blades, knobs or spikes. It can gripped to reinforce the fist while punching, or may be used to inflict direct hits on tender parts of an attacker’s body such as the joints or face, or to apply force to pressure points.

Pros of The Kubotan

• Small in size; easily disguised. Since the Kubotan is essentially nothing more than a rod of hard material, it can function as a keychain, be crafted out of a large, “tactical” pen, or be “created” out of any cylindrical object available: a hairbrush, a writing instrument or a stick of wood. Its small size also means that it is of a light weight and easily carried and stored.
• Reusable. This sort of self-defense weapon requires no external inputs such as batteries or fluids which need replacing. There are no moving parts of electronic components. Thus, it is a renewable, sustainable choice for physically defending oneself which will likely never need replacing.
• Options. Though the basic Kubotan is a hard plastic rod with textured gripping sections, other options – as mentioned – exist, such as harder materials and additional textures and sharp sections, creating a more aggressive form of the weapon.

Cons of the Kubotan

• Close range only. Because the Kubotan is a small tool, the user is limited by its size and the reach of their arm. This, as with a stun gun, means that the attacker has to be quite close for the Kubotan to be effective.
• Training. Any self-defense weapon should be understood and practiced with. The Kubotan’s effectiveness, more than any of the other options discussed above, lies with the ability of the individual wielding it. Any person considering carrying one should expect to devote time to learning the martial arts-like techniques needed to make it work for them; not against them.

More Options

The three self-defense weapons listed – the Stun Gun, Pepper Spray and the Kubotan – are not the only choices available; they are merely the most popular and effective. Other choices include brass knuckles, steel-reinforced gloves, alarms, flashlights with “tactical” bezels (heads with glass-shattering or skin-piercing, scalloped surfaces) and high levels of brightness, and heavy objects.

Self-defense weapons are a viable choice for individuals living in high-risk areas, those who have been, or feel they could be, victims of assault or other crimes, and those who wish to preemptively mitigate a potential threat to their person. Such weapons should, however, be used as a last resort; other strategies to stay safe – keeping to well-lit, low-crime communities and streets, affecting a confident bearing, crossing the road if approaching suspicious characters and not making oneself a target – should be everyday practices. Federal, state and provincial laws should always be consulted prior to purchasing and carrying a self-defense weapon to ensure legality.

by Joseph Morris, guest writer for Today’s Survival Show. His website is, http://www.buy-pepper-spray-today.com/