Studying Kung Fu for so many years has changed my mindset fundamentally. For example, when people pass close to me I always raise the closer forearm to them to a height between the forearm and the elbow of the other person. The reason is obvious to a martial artist, if not paranoid or weird to outsiders.

The reason is because, at the point of passing me, attacking me with a kick is no longer a possibility. But a deliberate or innocent attack from an outstretched arm could cause me to be struck in the face. My slightly raised arm is the blocking mechanism that will protect my face in the event of an elbow or arm or fist moving towards my face.

I often think of this behavior as a little strange. But over the course of several years, I have deflected several close calls to my face, much to the amazement of the person who would have been the instrument of the contact.

Their perception is that my reaction time is astonishingly fast. The problem with that analysis is that my arm only had to move a couple of inches to deflect contact and didn't have to be raised from a position of hanging at my side.

If you can easily close the time or distance gap, and thus prevent physical contact or injury, why wouldn't you do it?

The same could be asked of people armed with personal safety devices. The beauty of these weapons (pepper-spray, stun guns, stun batons, Tasers) is that in most places it is legal to carry them. But carrying them in a place that is not readily accessible will cost you one or two seconds to retrieve the safety device. This could spell the difference in time and distance that can cost you everything.

I ask you then, why would you, like so many go out for a walk with your pepper spray or stun gun in your pocket or purse? Pepper spray dispensers, stun guns, TASERs, and stun wands, only work when you have access to them, especially access to the trigger.

Once you are startled, once the attack has begun or the threat has shown itself, just imagine yourself calmly reaching into your purse or pocket and retrieving your weapon. Sound logical? Instinctively you know that you will be panicked and what's more, no attacker will give you a moment to think. Surprise and fear are weapons he will use to his advantage.

Having the best weapon in your pocket or purse in the moment of the attack is no better than having no weapon at all.

Keep violence at a distance - be prepared to use your safety weapon at a moment's notice.