Cell phones and self-defense: Good, Bad and the Ugly:

[SteveM]

How can a cell phone be used to defend yourself? How can it be a deadly detriment? Can camera options thwart an attack?

Cell phones are a fairly recent phenomenon and have not worked their way through the texts of self-defense manuals. But there is considerable speculation of their usefulness when it comes to self-defense. One T.V. commentator recommended making a "safety" call when leaving the workplace and heading for the car/bus, so someone could listen in and be "aware" of your "safety." This included staying on the phone until one reaches the car. It strikes me that this practice makes one especially vulnerable to attack. How can one be aware of his/her environs when distracted by "are you there now?"

Standard recommendations for safety/self-defense include: avoiding close passage by an obstruction (walls, alleys, etc.) and instead walking by such at a greater distance, or avoiding that route altogether. Another recommendation, be aware of sounds and where they come from. To keep alert, one cannot be distracted by a phone or phone conversation, esp. when the very instrument of distraction is sought by robbers.

On the other hand, a recent poster related a story where some women (lesbians, I believe) were physically attacked by a group during "closing hour" at a tavern, this after insults were made. There is little evidence (so far) of who made the attack. It surprises me that no one in the attacked group used the cell phone's camera (presuming that it had one) to take pictures of the attackers, either before or after the incident. Wouldn't one group, when faced with attack from another group, be better served by taking numerous pictures of these people? A poster answered that the pictures would be provocative. Perhaps, but from the tone of the attack, the hoodlums needed very little. A technical point: Can cell phone cameras be "programmed" to automatically down-load the image to, say, a home computer or other PDA?

Much discussion takes place around what constitutes self-defense, and when deadly responses are justified. This may be the time to look at other means.

[tonysam]

1. There was some missing woman whose case was profiled on "48 Hours"

who made a habit of being especially cautious and would make phone calls when going alone in a parking lot, etc.

It didn't stop her from being presumably abducted from likely her home and probably murdered. She's never been found after about four years.

[Warpy]

2. Talking on a cell phone while walking to one's car is a distraction

However, leaving it on with someone at the other end can provide early warning that some lout has attacked. The person at the other end then knows just where to send the cops.

As for the women leaving the bar, presumably they'd been doing what one does at a bar, drinking. People who have been drinking alcohol don't think particularly clearly. In addition, taking pictures of their attackers could have upped the danger as the attackers grabbed and smashed the phones first, increasing the beatings second.

Actually, I've found it more effective to walk near walls. There has been one occasion when an attacker pulled me backwards and I've fallen against him in such a way to give him a pretty good head smack on a concrete block wall. That discouraged him.

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. The general paranoia of the populace simply amazes me.

From gun owners ( and I am one ) who feel a need to protect themselves 24/7 even though they live in a crime free area to those that need to be watched, or listened to, just to walk to their car.
I know that there are dangerous area's but they are the exception...not the norm.

[The_Commonist]

5. I hear you, good sir!

I've lived most of my adult life within a block or two of "the ghetto," and have never, not once, ever had a problem. And neither has anybody I know. A little bit of common sense, walk like you know where you are going, and fit in for the most part and nobody will bother you.
I just can't understand people who live in areas that are presumably safe who spend their lives cowering.
Is it the fear built into our systems of propaganda and control?
I know that shit happens, and it could happen to me later today.
But I'm not going to cower in fear because of what could be...

[SteveM]

8. Since I am the OP, be advised that I do not have a cell phone...

Nor am I included in the category of those who are "...going to cower in fear because of what could be..." I slept 9.5 hours last night (l.5 over my average), I did not cower once.

Prudent and reasonable people have broached the subject of the advantageous uses of cell phones during or preceding an attack. I hope that other prudent and reasonable people may discuss this subject and point out some tactics; as you say: "I know that shit happens, and it could happen to me later today."

Your recommendations seem reasonable, and since we both know now that neither of us cowers, we may come up with some tactics involving cell phones which will enhance your common sense self-defense postures.

And now, I will take leave to enjoy a cold beer on a colder (but sunny) day in Austin.

[The_Commonist]

12. I didn't mean to imply that you were a cowerer.

Being prudent and reasonable, is, well... prudent and reasonable.
I just find it fascinating how many people in this country are filled with and ruled by irrational fears.

Enjoy your beer!

[SteveM]

15. True, indeed. If we bought stocks in Fear, we'd be rich. nt

[rrneck]

4. Shooting a picture is a lot like shooting a gun.

It has to be done accurately or it won't work, and in a self defense situation failure can be disasterous.

Gathering evidence is not a bad idea, but it seems to me that holding up a camera at a group of possible assailants is an invitation for a beatdown and a stolen phone. If the fight has already started getting a decent image that could be used as evidence would be really difficult.

An unobserved bystander would have a better chance I think.

[krispos42]

6. Some phones can automatically upload pictures to your carrier's website

Every time I take a pick, I have an option of sending it to "My Album", which is part of my account at my cellular carrier's website. Kind of like Photobucket or Flickr.

I think I can make that option automatic, though.

Even if the phone is stolen, the pictures remain available to other people.

[superduperfarleft]

16. This moron took a pic of himself on the phone he stole.

I wish all criminals were this stupid.

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20091203_Robber_sought_via_his__cell-f_portrait_.html

[krispos42]

18. Gun to the head, finger on the trigger...

...oh yeah, Darwin's waiting in the wings for this one!

[GreenStormCloud]

7. The cell phone is worthless in dealing with an attack.

At best, the person she is talking to will be able to tell the ambulance where to go, at worst tell the police where to go to draw the chalk lines.

If she needs help, she needs it immediately. A gun, classes in how to use it, a license to carry concealed, and situational awareness offer her a better chance than anything else.

[RC]

10. Only 7 post for a 'gun will keep you safe' comment.

[GreenStormCloud]

13. Not just a gun, but a gun, training, and situational awareness.

Do you really think that a gun is useless for self-defense?

Maybe you could try to actually response to some of the things I said?

[pipi_k]

9. Cell phones and self-defense...I was thinking outside the lines on that....

Why use it the way it was meant to be used...

If faced with a lone attacker, I would probably take the phone itself and use it in the palm of my hand to smash the guy in the nose or pound his eyeballs out.

If it's relatively thin and has decent "corners" on it, it could really do a number on someone. Even mine, with rounded corners, would still hurt a lot if I used it as a mini basher. Hit the guy in the eye with it, then kick him in the nuts and run away. Assuming it's a man, of course.

[Tim01]

11. Not much chance of a phone being useful.

Attacks usually come very fast from very close. After the badguy has knocked you unconscious he will take your phone and get rid of it. He will be long gone before the person on the other end of the phone can do anything about it. You are beaten, you didn't see it coming because you were on the phone, you didn't even see the person who hit you, the badguy is gone, and so is your phone.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

14. You could certainly use those old shoe box cell phones as a weapon.

[superduperfarleft]

17. I'd recommend just being aware of your surroundings.

Walking down a dark street at night in a questionable neighborhood is nothing but a great way to let potential attackers know that you're carrying a $300 iphone.