Why we all have this weird part of ourselves always wanting to know what’s on the other side of the wall or curtain or locked door? While using spy gadgets can help you learn vital information and can help you protect yourself, employing counter surveillance measures, there is more to them than these functions.

Shawn Davis explains in this copyrighted article that there are plenty of ways to use spy gadgets to have a little innocent fun and pull pranks on your friends. But, before you use spy equipment for laughs, it is important to make sure that you are only using it on friends who appreciate a good joke. Otherwise you may find yourself subject to charges in civil or criminal court associated with invasion of privacy. Also, before using spy gadgets to have a good time you need to make sure that the spy equipment itself is legal. After all, some spy gear is not legal in every state or country.

It is important to make sure that you are not breaking the law when you purchase these items, even when you intend to use them only in fun. However, there are plenty of goofy spy gadgets that can be purchased without you having to worry about the legal implications. Most spy gadgets of this nature are gag gadgets that are meant to be funny. Silly disguises and bugs and devices that allow you to jump into telephone conversations at will. It can be very fun to interrupt a phone conversation between two friends and break in with a joke or some silliness. But you should be careful not to interrupt something that is serious or that is really private. Other than that, it can be a really fun to use spy gadgets to have a little fun with your friends.

Spy gadgets are both useful and fun. There is no reason to be all serious all the time. You can have fun with spy equipment as well. However, the other thing you have to be careful of is to not ruin sensitive equipment. While some people use their spy gear for fun on top of serious professional uses, others get only inexpensive gear for their jokes. After all, if you accidentally destroy an expensive piece of equipment that you use for counter surveillance or for investigations, then you can lose a great deal of money with the improper use of spy gadgets.

This is an amazing article whose major part was conceived from copyrighted work  at www.spyassociates.com.

6. COULD IT BE TAKEN AWAY AND USED ON ME?
This is probably the most common concern about personal safety weapons; and it’s a valid one. Are you prepared to use the device aggressively on a predator to protect yourself? Are you knowledgeable and skillful enough to retain the device if he attempts to take it away from you? Never carry a Personal Safety Weapon with the intent to “bluff” your assailant. If you are not prepared to use it decisively, don’t carry it!
 
7. AM I PHYISCALLY, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY PREPARED TO USE IT?
Carrying a personal safety device without investing the time to become knowledgeable and proficient in its use is a big mistake. It’s as useful as a pair of boxing gloves to someone who can’t punch or a tennis racquet to someone who doesn’t have a clue how to play the game.  You must prepare physically by practicing the necessary skills and techniques associated with the device (if it requires such skills). You must prepare mentally by knowing when and how to use it and the situations that would make it’s use legal and appropriate. You must prepare emotionally by deepening your emotional and moral resolve to protect yourself.

If I had to select just one PSD to carry myself (which I do) or recommend to a loved one, guess what it would be… a CELL PHONE! I could go on for an entire newsletter trumpeting the powerful personal safety benefits of a cell phone and the ability to summon help that they provide.
If you can afford a cell phone, it’s one of the best personal safety investments you can make.

Randy offers some great insight into personal protection and I have personally been considering getting something in addition to my cell phone.

Should I Carry A Personal Safety Device?  Randy LaHaie, explains that violence can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time.  A Personal Safety Device can help you avoid or escape a sudden attack. Should you carry one and, if so, what should you carry?  Only you can decide.
 
The market is flooded with all kinds of gizmo’s and gadgets; guaranteed to ensure your safety and promising to instantly neutralize a violent assailant. Some are legit. The majority, unfortunately, are junk! Even good ones, if you don’t understand their proper use and limitations, can be a liability. How do you tell the difference?
 
If there is one thing I want to emphasize in this article, it’s this: if you are developing a realistic personal safety strategy, focus primarily on YOURSELF… not on a tool, toy or gadget. Your brain and your body are your most powerful personal safety “devices.” Your development in each of the “Seven Components of Self-Defense,” will have the greatest impact on your legitimate safety and sense of security
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If you are considering a Personal Safety Device, do your homework. Research what’s available and evaluate your options rigorously. Find one that you are comfortable with and suits your ability and personality. Easier said than done right?  When evaluating the merits of a PSD, ask and answer the following questions…

Let’s take a look at some important questions in detail:

1. IS IT LEGAL?
Are you willing to run the risk of being arrested and criminally charged for being in possession of an illegal weapon on the off chance that someday you may need it to protect yourself? Before investing in a PSD, find out if it’s legal to possess and carry where you live. A phone call to the community services branch of your local police department should be able to provide you with this information.

2. WILL I CARRY IT ALL THE TIME?
My guess is that people seldom leave their homes thinking, “Gee, I think I’ll go out and fend off a robber, rapist or mugger today!” What happens to most PSD’s is that they are quickly forgotten about and find their way to the bottom of a purse, the glove box of your car, or the back of a kitchen drawer. They won’t do you much good there! Is the device you are considering something practical enough to carry with you all of the time, discretely, without looking or feeling paranoid? If not, don’t waste your money.

3. WILL IT BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE WHEN I NEED IT?
Even if you do carry it all of the time, will you be able to draw and ready it in time to use in the event of a sudden attack? Again, if it’s in your pocket or purse when you need it, it won’t do you much good. Is the PSD something that you will have ready, preferably in hand, if and when you need it?

4. DO I HAVE LEGITIMATE CONFIDENCE IN MY ABILITY TO USE IT?
Military and law enforcement research confirms that people who lack confidence in a technique or device will not resort to it in a stressful situation. Many people have been seriously hurt in violent encounters with a potential PSD in their hand. In the stress of the moment, they didn’t think to use it or doubted its’ ability to impact the situation. Perhaps they were afraid that it would only make matters worse. If you are thinking of carrying a PSD, are you prepared to learn how to use it and practice to become proficient with it?

5. IS IT AS EFFECTIVE AS IT HAS BEEN HELD OUT TO BE?
Over-inflated claims and quick-fix promises are the “cancer” of the self-defense business. Often, unscrupulous self-defense instructors and gadget salespeople exaggerate the benefits and capabilities of their systems and products. Whenever you hear words like “guaranteed, quick, and easy” or claims that the product will subdue any and all assailants regardless of their size, strength or sobriety, it’s time to call, “bullshit!” Walk away, someone’s trying to rip you off!  Understand the psychological and physiological control principles associated with the PSD. In other words, how is it supposed to impact the assailant’s intent or behavior? What is the science behind the claims being made?
NOTHING works all of the time. Always acknowledge the limitations and potential failure of a PSD and have a back-up plan.

I read a statistic the other day that says your chances of being hit by lightning are approximately 1 in 3 million.  So I guess I am not too worried.

But according to this story if you are using a cell phone during a lightning storm the chances of getting struck are substantially increased.

Here is a brief but useful Q and A on nanotechnology:

Q. What is the definition of nanotechnology?

A. The term nano originates from a Greek word meaning dwarf.

Nanotechnology is science and engineering at the scale of atoms and molecules.  It is the manipulation and use of materials and devices so tiny that they can’t be seen by the naked eye.  Materials at the nanoscale are typically between 0.1 and 100 nanometres (nm) in size - 1 nm is one billionth of a metre (10^-9 m).

Most atoms are 0.1 to 0.2 nm wide, strands of DNA are around 2 nm wide, red blood cells are around 7000 nm in diameter, while human hairs are typically 80,000 nm across.

A nanometre is to a centimetre what the length of a human footprint is to the width of the Atlantic Ocean. A nanometre is also about the length human fingernails grow by each second.

Q. Why all the excitement?  What can nanotechnology be used fo?

A. These tiny machines would repair and maintain the human body from the inside out, fighting disease and making fixing problems, making humans virtually immortal.

Most realistically in the short term, nanotechnology could lead to important advances in computing, medicine and technologies to benefit the environment and all types of sciences.

In addition, Environmental scientists are also finding useful applications for nanotech in clearing up toxic waste from groundwater and polluted sites, as well as producing new more efficient solar power and fuel cells.

Q. Is nanotechnology already in use?  Where?

A. US government’s National Nanotechnology Initiative lists the following “in-use”:

• Computer hard drives
• Car parts and catalytic converters
• Scratch- and wear-resistant paints and coatings
• Sunscreens (titanium dioxide nanoparticles are transparent, yet absorb UV light at the same time) and lipsticks
• Longer lasting tennis balls, and hardwearing yet lightweight tennis racquets
• Metal cutting tools
• Antibacterial bandages incorporating silver nanoparticles
• Anti-static packaging for sensitive electronic equipment
• Nanofilm-coated “self-cleaning” windows and
• Stain-resistant fabrics

Q. Are there risks in the use of nanotechnology?  What are they?

A. In 2004 the UK’s Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering published a very thourough report and found that nanotechnology will present very few if any risks.