Reddit reviews SABRE ADVANCED Pepper Spray Keychain with Quick Release – 3-in-1 Pepper Spray, CS Tear Gas & UV Dye – Maximum Strength Police OC Spray, Finger Grip for Better Aim – Optional Practice Spray, Black Pepper Spray w/ Practice Spray
We found 4 Reddit comments about SABRE ADVANCED Pepper Spray Keychain with Quick Release – 3-in-1 Pepper Spray, CS Tear Gas & UV Dye – Maximum Strength Police OC Spray, Finger Grip for Better Aim – Optional Practice Spray, Black Pepper Spray w/ Practice Spray. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
#1 PEPPER SPRAY BRAND TRUSTED BY POLICE & CONSUMERS WORLDWIDE: Including New York PD, Chicago PD & U.S. Marshals; RELIABLE & LONG-LASTING: 4-year shelf life from date of manufacture (2X the industry standard) for the best self-protection availableGUARANTEED MAXIMUM STRENGTH: Every SABRE pepper spray is backed by our exclusive in-house HPLC laboratory testing, guaranteeing maximum stopping power in every burst and eliminating the 30% failure rate experienced with other brands (U of Utah study)MAXIMUM STOPPING POWER: ½ oz canister of SABRE ADVANCED 3-in-1 formula includes max strength pepper spray, CS tear gas for enhanced burning and UV marking dye to help ID suspect; Projects 10-Foot (3M) in powerful stream for protection at a safe distanceBE CONFIDENT & PREPARED: Gain muscle memory, familiarity & confidence with SABRE's Practice Unit so you're prepared for high-stress encounters; Features the same deployment and firing mechanism as the Pepper Spray to increase your safety; Made in the USAFASTER, EASIER, MORE ACCURATE AIM: Finger grip enhances your grasp and aim to help keep your eye on the threat; 25 Bursts (up to 5x other brands!) protects against multiple threats; Includes Quick Release Key Ring for immediate access when seconds count
Situational Awareness is far more important than Self-Defense skills.
Read that again - its important.
I'm not saying don't buy pepper spray - do buy some.
This is the stuff I bought my own daughter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058ENC7G/
(Reminder: be sure to check local & campus regulations regarding the use of a chemical agent like this...)
But take a class, or focus a little more on videos that teach you the social situations, environmental conditions and circumstances where predators operate, and how they tend to operate.
Further, I'll bet you money every university in the US has a policy or service regarding escorting students to destinations on request. Maybe that service isn't as convenient or as well staffed as you might like, but learning the ins & outs of that service is a better use of your time than most YMCA 2 hour self-defense classes.
If you can avoid more of the situations where bad things happen, you can avoid having to defend yourself in the first place.
Now, all that said, if you think a self-defense class might help you be more confident, then go on and do it. Why? Predators don't like strong, confident targets.
Just to add: if it’s your first time, you can buy spray with a training kit so that you’re prepared in case you have to use it.
My short answer and best advice to you is:
Do not put yourself in a situation you can not comfortably get out of. Do not put yourself in a situation that can or will likely lead to a situation you can not comfortably get out of.
My long answer for posterity:
"Safe" is a relative term, something that is safe for me may not be safe for you. Austin has had a lot of issues lately with violence and sexual assault, In this context I would ask yourself the following:
If you cant confidently say yes, yes, no to those questions why take the risk? Just go to the gym, hit the trails during the day with light and heavier foot traffic.
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Lastly as for the taser recommendation, its not the worst suggestion but not the best imo. If they are close enough for you to taze you are already in deep shit and behind the 8 ball. Get a long throw pepper spray Do not let someone who makes you uncomfortable and wont leave you alone within reaching distance, spray them and beat feat to safety. You can carry the taser as a last ditch backup. In fact they sell combo taser / flashlights so you can kill two birds with one stone. Vipertek VTS-T03
Just my 2 cents on your question.
Bear spray or Pepper spray. A dose of this may well have disabled the creep until the police could wrap him up and totally remove the issue, and him.