Product Review: Defender Self Defense Tool from Master Peter Brusso

Self defense evokes classes where people kick, punch, throw, or do exotic combinations. Self defense might be a stun gun Taser, a can of pepper spray or mace. It can be carrying a cell phone alertly to call police. All may work, however they're pricey, lengthy to learn, or in the case of calling 911, may not be practical when a menacing predator grabs for a wallet or handbag. Worse of all, a bad guy may intend real harm or personal violation. Master Peter Brusso, a martial arts master and subject matter expert for the U.S. Marine Corps, took these things into consideration when he invented the Defender self defense tool.

While interviewing Brusso for Associated Content on his connection to George Clooney's film The Men Who Stare At Goats, he said he'd send me a Defender to sample. I've dabbled in martial arts for years, so I was intrigued after seeing videos of people easily taking down attackers with it. Most entertainingly of all, Brusso turns British journalist Jon Ronson into a pain addled man, after he skeptically asks Brusso's assistant if the tool really hurts. During our chat, Brusso said the key to dissuading physical attack is reducing an appetite for the crime. Fear inducement, i.e. a painful wake up call, can discourage an attacker, or stop them in their tracks. Problem is most people can't do it empty handed. Enter the Defender.

Plastic Tool

The Defender is a small, hammer shaped plastic tool. It comes in various models, each with variations to enhance defense moves. The hand grip fits comfortable when holding, and the "bonk" area or equivalent hammer head portion is rounded. Dozens of moves and techniques can be achieved with the Defender, but my favorite, and probably easiest to learn is the bonk.

As implied, it's using a Defender like a hammer. If they grab you, "bonk" them on the head. When testing, I was surprised at how little force must be applied for a painful reaction. You can bonk a bad guy on the head. You can bonk him on his elbow, wrist or groin. By using a small amount of focused force, the desired outcome is an attacker pulling away from you in pain. You successfully dissuaded them from causing harm to you, with no lethal damage to them.

The "push" attacks are also simple, yet effective. For example: If a person tries choking you, bring up the flat part of the tool, press on the attacker's neck, to simply push them away. If a person grabs you, use the Defender's handle, or pommel surface to push. The tool's small surface area focuses your force and weight, making it easy to push away the attacker.

A DVD Teaches You

Peter Brusso just doesn't send you a Defender for you to figure out. Also included is a clearly produced DVD training movie. The film begins with an "Introduction To Pain Compliance", illustrating how utilizing pain against an attacker can balance the struggle in the victim's favor. Nobody likes to be in pain, not even a bad guy. By using the Defender to bring sharp thrusts of pain to the bad guy, he'll either quit his attack all together, or you'll have bought enough time to flee from the scene. In the "Anatomy Of A Defender" section, Brusso describes all parts of the tool which are employed for self defense. This takes the mystique out of the object, since for most it will appear mysterious, even funny looking. However, this may be the most effective aspect of the Defender. Since it looks like a mere plastic toy, bad guys will be shocked when it's used in self defense.

Defending the Defender

Thankfully I haven't had to use the Defender in a real life self defense scenario. I feel confident if I was forced to do so, it would be effective. My martial arts background gives me a slight edge up in perhaps being able to take to the tool more quickly, but it's clear even the most inexperienced person could handle the Defender quite easily. With a price tag of around $9.99, a slim, unassuming shape and plastic construction, the Defender is a real life alternative to costly pepper sprays, dangerous Tasers or even lethal firearms. Today's urban jungle, or even quiet suburban vista has never been more fraught with a potential for personal attack. Peter Brusso's Defender helps the everyday man or woman protect themselves and their loved ones, with very little cost, training or legal license hassles.

To order or learn more, visit the official Defender site: http://www.pdws.biz/