How to Turn Everyday Items into a Self Defense Weapon

Co-authored by Adrian Tandez

Last Updated: March 19, 2023

Turning everyday items into a self-defense weapon can be hard to think about but it may just be something that protects you in a time of danger. The following everyday things turned into weapons will help you to gain an understanding of ways in which you might defend yourself on the fly.

Steps

1
Make use of a pocket of loose change! Believe it or not, a pocket of loose change can actually be used as a weapon if you know how to use it properly. If there is an attacker in front of you, try throwing the change to his or her face. It may be sufficient to buy you time to escape or try another form of quick attack.
2
Use your backpack. This isn't really a weapon as such but is great if you use it as a shield. It doesn't have to be a backpack, it can be any type of suitcase or bag, to hold up against fists or thrown objects.
- Just remember it's not bulletproof, so it won't do you any good if the attacker has a gun.
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3
Use a drink. If you fill up a bottle half way it can be used as an impact. That means that it is good for smacking the attacker with.
- A hot drink might be useful if you need to defend yourself seriously. Remember though, that hot liquids scald and you will be inflicting injury on the other person. When defending yourself, this may be defensible but you may also get into serious trouble for causing injury too.
4
Use a flashlight. You can use a flashlight to hit the attacker with.
- You can also use it in a tactical way by flashing it in his or her eyes and temporarily blind the attacker.
5
Use a simple umbrella.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Adrian Tandez
Self Defense Trainer
Expert Interview. 24 July 2019.} It's not the best but it's good if you don't have anything else to protect yourself with. It can be used to push away, hit, open out and scare, etc.
- It can also be used as shield.
6
Make a sock mace. This is a weapon you need to make but it is super easy to make. Just grab a sock and slip something hard it like a bar of soap, or a battery.
- This weapon is mostly used in prison by the prisoners when they start a riot.^{[citation needed]}

Expert Q&A
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Question

What can I use as an improvised weapon?

Adrian Tandez
Self Defense Trainer
Adrian Tandez is the founder and head instructor of the Tandez Academy, a world-renowned self-defense training center in Mountain View, California. Trained under the renowned martial artist Dan Inosanto, Adrian is a certified instructor in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, and Silat, among other things. Adrian has over 27 years of self defense training experience.

Adrian Tandez

Self Defense Trainer

Expert Answer

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In a pinch, an umbrella may work to protect yourself against an attacker.

Warnings

Realize that you will be inflicting injury on the other person, no matter the origin of the weapon. When defending yourself, this may be defensible but you may also get into serious trouble for causing injury. Only a qualified lawyer/attorney can advise you on this aspect, according to your jurisdiction.

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These are simple weapons for self defense only. Do not use if the attacker has a gun.

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